Head of Projects

National Grid; Derby; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company is seeking a Head of Projects to manage capital projects within the East Midlands Electricity Distribution area. The role involves overseeing project delivery from inception to completion, ensuring stakeholder satisfaction, and leading a team to drive operational excellence. This position offers a hybrid working model and the opportunity to contribute to a sustainable energy future.

Qualifications

• Exceptional people leadership experience managing large engineering/construction teams.
• Strong project/programme leadership with a proven track record in large capital infrastructure projects.
• Curious, confident in leading change, and proactive in seeking improvements.

Responsibilities

• Manage all major capital projects/programmes from end-to-end against time, cost, and quality metrics.
• Engage, motivate, and lead a team of Managers and operational functions.
• Ensure the highest level of service for customers in the Distribution Area.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Data Analysis

Job description

Job Introduction

An opportunity is available for a Head of Projects. The Head of Projects will be responsible for managing the Primary distribution systems and Major Projects within our East Midlands Electricity Distribution area.

Reporting to the Major Projects Director, you will manage the portfolio of investment and regulated funding across all projects and programmes end-to-end, ensuring that deliverables meet or exceed stakeholder expectations. This includes forward planning over 10 years and encompasses all project functions from mobilisation, design, build, commissioning, to benefits realisation. Responsibilities also include operational programmes, such as faults, which need to be developed, operated, and maintained efficiently and in accordance with legislation, policies, and standards.

You will work closely with the PMO to influence and ensure alignment with project delivery practices and methodologies used within the business are role-modeled within your region. Each region has a Major Projects capital spend exceeding 0.5 billion GBP over the next 5 years.

The role can be based in Derby, Hinckley, or Grantham, with location details agreed upon with the successful candidate. The position offers a hybrid working approach, combining office and home working, which can be considered after initial training and depending on business needs.

Main Responsibilities

1. Engage, motivate, and lead a team of Managers and operational functions.
2. Set objectives, monitor performance, and control primary Distribution activities in the region.
3. Ensure the highest level of service for customers in the Distribution Area.
4. Coordinate the formulation of Capital and Revenue Budgets and monitor expenditure.
5. Drive a safety culture.
6. Manage all major capital projects/programmes from end-to-end against time, cost, and quality metrics.
7. Review, design, sign-off, implement, and manage a new operating model.
8. Implement and embed governance and controls in partnership with the PMO.
9. Translate high-level business plans into operational delivery plans, including decisions on insourcing vs outsourcing.
10. Manage the lifecycle of all projects, from appointment of project leaders to project closure.
11. Define WBS and support schedule creation across programmes.
12. Track projects against time, cost, quality, contractual, and regulatory requirements, including forecasting and lessons learned.
13. Ensure effective Risk, Issue, and Opportunity Management.
14. Embed governance, compliance, and performance reporting.
15. Monitor and control programme compliance with contractual obligations.
16. Champion best practices and consistency across the wider matrix organization.

National Grid Electricity Distribution is committed to safeguarding interests through appropriate screening and vetting, including DBS checks where applicable.

Ideal Candidate

• Exceptional people leadership experience managing large engineering/construction teams, both insourced and outsourced.
• Strong project/programme/portfolio leadership with a proven track record in large capital infrastructure projects or high-volume service functions, with data analysis skills.
• Curious, confident in leading change, and proactive in seeking improvements.
• Experience in the electricity, energy, or regulated industries is beneficial but not essential; influencing stakeholders at senior levels is crucial.

About Us

We’re National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), owner and operator of electricity distribution systems in the Midlands, Southwest England, and South Wales, serving over 8 million people. Our teams deliver heat, light, and power for homes and businesses.

With over 29,000 employees worldwide, we foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates diversity. Our vision is to lead a clean, fair, and affordable energy future, focusing on renewable, low-carbon energy sources and efficiency improvements to meet increasing demand.