Head of Converters , Operations and Maintenance - Britned

National Grid plc; Rochester; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

BritNed is recruiting for a Head of Converter Operations & Maintenance to lead safety, operations, asset management and systems across the UK and NL. Based onsite at Isle of Grain, you will drive performance and asset availability for the 1GW interconnector, coordinating with National Grid Ventures, TenneT and partners.

You will shape asset health strategies, oversee maintenance plans, and lead a high-calibre team to deliver continuous improvement while managing significant budgets and

Qualifications

• Minimum HNC or equivalent qualification in engineering.
• Experience leading large, multi-disciplinary teams in critical infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of HVDC, high-voltage assets, substations or subsea cables.
• Experience managing high-value contracts and strategic relationships.
• Demonstrated safety-first leadership and operational excellence.
• Excellent commercial awareness and large-budget management.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across a complex environment.
• Proven leadership, coaching and people development skills.
• Risk management, problem solving and decision making.
• Experience with regulatory requirements (NIS-R/NIS2/CER).

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-disciplinary teams across safety, operations, maintenance and asset management.
• Deliver high performance, compliance and asset reliability across BritNed network.
• Develop and implement robust asset health and maintenance plans.
• Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Lead teams through change and build a high-performance culture.
• Collaborate with National Grid Ventures, TenneT and partners to share best practices.
• Oversee system and cyber investment plans and regulatory compliance.
• Provide leadership during incidents and emergency response.
• Manage significant budgets and identify cost efficiencies.
• Build strong relationships with regulators, suppliers and JV stakeholders.

Skills

Team leadership

Leadership of large teams

HVDC knowledge

Contracts management

Safety culture

Commercial awareness

Budget management

Stakeholder influence

Risk management

People development

Regulatory understanding

Education

Engineering qualification (HNC or equivalent)

Tools

HVDC systems

Job description

Head of Converters , Operations and Maintenance - Britned

About the role

At National Grid, we're at the heart of the energy transition. Through our interconnectors, we're helping to deliver secure, affordable and sustainable electricity across borders, supporting millions of homes and businesses.

We're looking for an exceptional leader to join BritNed, the 1GW interconnector linking Great Britain and the Netherlands. As a 50:50 Joint Venture between National Grid and TenneT, BritNed operates as a standalone business with an outstanding record for safety, reliability and availability since entering service in 2011.

We're recruiting for a Head of Converter Operations & Maintenance, within this role, you'll play a critical leadership role in ensuring the safe, reliable and efficient operation of our converter station assets across both the UK and the Netherlands. Leading highly skilled operational, maintenance, asset management and systems teams, you'll drive operational excellence while shaping the future performance and capability of one of Europe's most important energy infrastructure assets.

The role will be based onsite our interconnector at the Isle of Grain, so you must live a commutable distance of site to be considered.

What you'll do

Reporting to the Operations Director, you'll provide strategic, operational and people leadership across the Converter Operations & Maintenance function.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading a multi-disciplined team responsible for safety, operations, maintenance, asset management and systems activities.
• Delivering high standards of operational performance, compliance and asset reliability across the BritNed network.
• Ensuring robust asset health strategies and maintenance plans are in place to maximise long-term asset availability.
• Driving a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence and learning across the business.
• Leading and motivating teams through change, setting clear direction and building a high-performance culture.
• Working closely with colleagues across National Grid Ventures, TenneT and external partners to share best practice and deliver business objectives.
• Overseeing system and cyber investment plans, ensuring compliance with NIS-R, NIS2, CER and Critical National Infrastructure requirements.
• Providing leadership during operational incidents and emergency response situations, undertaking command roles when required.
• Managing significant operational and maintenance budgets while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Building strong relationships with regulators, suppliers, contractors and Joint Venture stakeholders.

What you'll need

We're looking for a proven operational leader with the ability to inspire teams, influence stakeholders and make sound decisions in a technically complex environment.

You'll ideally have:

• Significant experience leading large, multi-disciplinary engineering or operational teams.

Minimum HNC or equivalent qualification in an engineering discipline.

• Strong experience operating within critical infrastructure, energy, utilities, transmission or industrial environments.
• A solid understanding of HVDC systems, high-voltage assets, substations and/or subsea cable systems.
• Experience managing high-value contracts, suppliers and strategic stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrable success leading safety-first cultures and driving operational excellence.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience managing substantial operational budgets.
• Excellent leadership, coaching and people development skills.
• Proven capability in risk management, problem solving, decision-making and organisational leadership.
• The ability to influence at all levels across a complex stakeholder environment.

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £76,000 - £95,000 per annum– dependent on capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

More Information

This role closes on 29th October 2026 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates – we make appointments purely on merit, assessed against objective selection criteria. We support flexible working and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process should you have any physical or mental impairment which may affect your ability to participate in the process.

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.