Director Protection & Control (P&C) - UK Grid Network

Jacobs; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free single medical cover

Digital GP service

Enhanced parental leave pay

Professional development reimbursement

Volunteering support

Volunteering support

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the UK is seeking a Director of Protection & Control to lead strategic initiatives in high-voltage Power & Energy projects. The role involves overseeing technical assurance, managing client relationships, and developing engineering talent. Ideal candidates will hold an advanced degree in Electrical Engineering and possess proven leadership experience in large-scale infrastructure programmes. Benefits include flexible working arrangements and comprehensive medical coverage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer through the IET.
• TP141 Authorisation (Protection & Control).
• National Grid Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE).
• Recognised authority in P&C engineering for high-voltage installations.
• Proven leadership across large-scale infrastructure programmes.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in bid strategy and client engagement.
• Demonstrated success in team growth, recruitment and capability development.
• Excellent communication, strategic thinking and stakeholder management skills.
• Familiarity with protection and control systems for DNOs, BESS, wind farms and HVDC.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the strategic direction of Protection & Control capability.
• Provide executive leadership on design workstreams for clients.
• Oversee technical assurance, quality control, and delivery excellence.
• Lead recruitment and development of engineering talent.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key clients.
• Lead and support major bids, including technical strategy, resource alignment and client engagement.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key clients, supporting business development.
• Represent Jacobs in industry bodies and forums, influencing standards and best practices.
• Oversee interface design, protection schemes, control philosophies and settings coordination.
• Chair high-level design reviews, hazard reviews and technical governance meetings.
• Ensure compliance with CDM regulations and proactively manage technical risks.
• Support succession planning and capability growth across the P&C team.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Communication

Communication

Delivery excellence

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Chartered Engineer through the IET

TP141 Authorisation (Protection & Control)

National Grid CDAE

Job description

Director Protection & Control (P&C) - UK Grid Network

Join Jacobs as Director of Protection & Control for our UK and Europe portfolio of high‑voltage Power & Energy projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead the strategic direction of Jacobs’ Protection & Control capability across the UK and Europe.
• Provide executive leadership on FEED and detailed design workstreams for National Grid and DNO clients.
• Oversee technical assurance, quality control, and delivery excellence across all P&C projects.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding and development of engineering talent.
• Drive team billability, utilisation and performance metrics aligned with business objectives.
• Lead and support major bids, including technical strategy, resource alignment and client engagement.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key clients, supporting business development.
• Represent Jacobs in industry bodies and forums, influencing standards and best practices.
• Oversee interface design, protection schemes, control philosophies and settings coordination.
• Chair high‑level design reviews, hazard reviews and technical governance meetings.
• Ensure compliance with CDM regulations and proactively manage technical risks.
• Support succession planning and capability growth across the P&C team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer through the IET.
• TP141 Authorisation (Protection & Control).
• National Grid Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE).
• Recognised authority in P&C engineering for high‑voltage installations (132kV–400kV).
• Proven leadership across large‑scale infrastructure programmes and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in bid strategy and client engagement.
• Demonstrated success in team growth, recruitment and capability development.
• Excellent communication, strategic thinking and stakeholder management skills.
• Familiarity with protection and control systems for DNOs, BESS, wind farms and HVDC.
• Ability to influence technical standards and contribute to industry innovation.

Benefits

UK employees enjoy free single medical cover, digital GP service, enhanced parental leave pay, free employee assistance and parental programmes, professional development reimbursement and volunteering support. We also offer hybrid, part‑time and flexible working arrangements to suit your needs.