Graduate Project Manager, Strategic Infrastructure, Nottingham

National Grid Plc; Hemington; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days' annual leave

Cycle-to-work scheme

Sharesave and Share Incentive Plans

Accommodation allowance up to £200 per

Joining bonus £2,000

Completion bonus £2,400

Relocation support for placements

Mentoring and networking opportunities

Job summary

National Grid is offering a Graduate Associate Project Manager position within Strategic Infrastructure, based in Castle Donington, with flexible hybrid working. You will work alongside experienced project managers, gaining hands-on experience across engineering, procurement, commercial management and construction on major electricity infrastructure projects in England and Wales.

You’ll develop project management, commercial and stakeholder-management skills, progressing from early development

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:2 in a relevant degree.
• Interest in major infrastructure, construction and project delivery; keen to develop project management skills in a real-world environment.

Responsibilities

• Support project planning, coordination and delivery activities across a range of major infrastructure projects.
• Help monitor project performance, including programme, cost, risk and quality measures.
• Work with engineering, procurement and commercial teams to support project delivery and decision-making.
• Contribute to project reporting, governance and the preparation of information for project reviews and key milestones.
• Support contractual and financial management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Work with contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders to help coordinate activities and maintain project progress.
• Gain site-based experience, helping project teams understand how construction activities are delivered in line with relevant policies, standards and requirements.
• Support the identification of project issues and contribute to the development of practical solutions that help achieve project objectives.

Skills

Project coordination

Stakeholder management

Construction knowledge

Education

2:2 degree in Project Management/Construction Management/Engineering/Business Management or related

Job description

Graduate Project Manager, Strategic Infrastructure, Nottingham

About the Position

Strategic Infrastructure is part of National Grid Electricity Transmission and is responsible for delivering major electricity transmission projects across England and Wales. Our work will help connect more clean, low-carbon power to the transmission network and support the UK’s transition to a cleaner energy future. This includes the delivery of major projects through the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework, alongside the early-stage development of further strategic infrastructure.

As a Graduate Associate Project Manager, you'll help deliver some of the major electricity infrastructure projects shaping the UK's energy future. Working alongside experienced project managers, you'll gain hands‑on experience across engineering, procurement, commercial management and construction, developing an understanding of how major infrastructure projects progress from early development through to construction and delivery. Through exposure to project teams, contractors and key stakeholders, you'll build the project management, commercial and stakeholder‑management skills needed to support the successful delivery of complex infrastructure programmes.

What You'll Do

You’ll help coordinate and support the delivery of major electricity infrastructure projects that are critical to the UK's future energy system.

• Support project planning, coordination and delivery activities across a range of major infrastructure projects.
• Help monitor project performance, including programme, cost, risk and quality measures.
• Work with engineering, procurement and commercial teams to support project delivery and decision‑making.
• Contribute to project reporting, governance and the preparation of information for project reviews and key milestones.
• Support contractual and financial management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Work with contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders to help coordinate activities and maintain project progress.
• Gain site‑based experience, helping project teams understand how construction activities are delivered in line with relevant policies, standards and requirements.
• Support the identification of project issues and contribute to the development of practical solutions that help achieve project objectives.

What You'll Need to Apply

You’ll need to achieve a minimum 2:2 in Project Management, Construction Management, Engineering, Business Management or another closely related degree discipline.

It doesn't matter when you graduated or whether you're currently studying towards your qualification. We're looking for graduates with an interest in major infrastructure, construction and project delivery who are keen to develop their project management skills in a real‑world environment. You'll be eager to learn, work collaboratively with others and gain experience supporting the delivery of complex projects that will help meet the UK's future energy needs.

Please note: Due to the amount of travel required for this role, you must obtain a full, valid UK driving licence no later than 27th June 2027 (at least three months before your start date).

If you progress to the assessment centre stage, you must have passed your driving theory test before attending and be able to provide evidence of this.

You’ll need flexibility to travel within role and throughout your rotations in order to carry out the requirments of this role you’ll need to travel to sites, offices and our training centres.

Location

This role is based in Castle Donington and offers flexible hybrid working, where possible. You'll be expected to attend your contractual office location at least three days per week. Flexibility to travel as required throughout the role and during rotations is also essential.

To be eligible for this role, you must currently live within a 60-minute driving commute of DE74 2TU and be able to commute from your existing primary residence. Relocation to meet this requirement is not permitted.

As part of your application, you'll be asked to confirm that you meet this requirement and provide the postcode of your current primary residence. This information will be used to assess your eligibility.

What You’ll Get In Return

We are proud to offer a starting salary of £38,472 with annual salary increases throughout the programme.

As a first step in your career within the energy industry, our Graduate Programme offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills, gain valuable experience, and build a long‑term career with National Grid.

Alongside a tailored development programme designed to power your career at National Grid, you’ll also enjoy a range of fantastic rewards and benefits, including:

• 26 days' annual leave, plus statutory holidays.
• Access to flexible benefits, including cycle‑to‑work and holiday buy/sell schemes.
• The opportunity to participate in our Sharesave and Share Incentive Plans.
• You’ll develop well‑rounded skills through practical experience.
• A £2,000 joining bonus upon starting the programme.
• A £2,400 payment upon successful completion of the programme.
• An accommodation allowance of up to £200 per month as you move around the business during placements.
• Additional annual leave when moving between placements, plus support with relocating your personal belongings.
• Dedicated mentoring, regular feedback, networking opportunities, and volunteering opportunities to support your development.
• A permanent role with National Grid upon successful completion of the programme.

About the Graduate Programme

As you'll be joining our 18-month graduate programme, you'll have a tailored development pathway to support you as you develop a wide range of leadership, business, and technical skills. You'll attend in‑person and virtual development sessions throughout your programme to equip you with the essential skills required, as you begin your career at National Grid. We're committed to the personal development of our colleagues so as well as the support from your line manager as you navigate your new role, you'll also have access to 1:1 coaching and a mentor, from a previous cohort to help you transition from campus to corporate life.

All graduates complete the core development programme to develop key skills such as how to make an impact, giving feedback and presentation skills. Aligned to this role is our Engineering pathway and as part of this you’ll develop further key technical skills aligned to your role as well as important learning modules such as working safely. If relevant to your career aspirations, you will be able to access Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) membership and seek support from a National Grid IET mentor to help you secure your chartership.

We believe in the importance of getting as much on‑the‑job experience as possible and to do this, you will complete three 6‑month placements, across the UK, designed to deepen your understanding of your speciality but to also broaden your knowledge of our business. At the end of your 18‑month programme you’ll return to your initial placement area to kickstart your career.

About National Grid

National Grid is the UK’s critical energy infrastructure company, operating the electricity network and infrastructure that connects millions of people to the energy they use every day, supporting homes, businesses and communities across England and Wales.

We know the future of energy won’t be shaped by what we know today. It will be shaped by what's possible tomorrow. That's why we're investing in the next generation of talent, giving apprentices, undergraduates and graduates the opportunity to learn from experts, gain hands‑on experience and contribute to work that matters from day one.

Are you ready to unlock the power of the possible?

More Information

We recruit on a rolling basis across our Early Careers Roles. We may close our vacancies early once we have enough applications. We therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.

National Grid's Early Careers opportunities in the UK are open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria including an existing and valid right to work in the UK. As part of the application process this will need to be evidenced and verified before you can start the programme.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points‑based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points‑based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.

National Grid operates in both the UK and US, with a broad portfolio of energy businesses dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable power.

From electricity and gas transmission to advancing clean energy and modernising grids, our work covers every aspect of the energy system.

Our energy flows through absolutely everything we do

Life here at National Grid is more than just our purpose or our values, it’s everything we put into everything we do. It’s our commitment to diversity and inclusion; how we help our employees learn and grow; and how we partner with and support the communities where we live and work. It’s all this, and so much more.

We leverage our collective strengths to do meaningful BIG work so that we can be at the heart of a fair and affordable energy future.

Your salary is reviewed each year against the market for your role, skills, knowledge and experience.

Incentive

Annual performance plan or bonus (depending on your role) rewards your contribution to our success each year.

Retirement

Generous pension plan with company contributions up to 12%.

Private medical insurance for self and family.