Lead DCO Project Manager

National Grid; Chesterfield, Hemington, Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 62,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Bonus scheme

Pension scheme

Flexible benefits

Job summary

National Grid is seeking a Lead DCO Project Manager to coordinate nationally significant infrastructure projects and navigate the DCO process to secure consent for green energy initiatives. You will lead the preparation of DCO applications for the Chesterfield to Willington project, working with an in-house team and specialists as needed.

You will travel regularly to Chesterfield, Castle Donnington or Birmingham, with hybrid working where possible.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive understanding of the Planning Act 2008 and Infrastructure Planning Regulations.
• Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent project management experience for DCO.
• Experience across rail, roads, airports, water, or waste before National Grid.

Responsibilities

• Lead input of multi-disciplinary technical team to prepare documents across project stages.
• Identify deliverables and schedule; ensure roles are understood.
• Oversee review process and production of submissions; drive efficiencies.
• Manage administration of up to 200 documents per application; ensure legal compliance.
• Ensure accuracy and timely delivery of DCO documentation; establish controls.
• Coordinate examination logistics and hearing management with PINS.
• Develop implementation plans for pre-examination and examination phases.
• Provide timely project status reports; robust tracking and reporting.
• Lead communications with Planning Inspectorate on submission and examination.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Manage stakeholder issues to protect National Grid's reputation.

Skills

DCO process knowledge

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Travel flexibility

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

Job description

About The Role

As Lead DCO Project Manager you will lead the co-ordination of nationally significant infrastructure projects and use your technical understanding of the Development Consent Order (DCO) process to obtain consent for the green energy projects that will drive the move to Net Zero.

About The Role

As Lead DCO Project Manager you will lead the co-ordination of nationally significant infrastructure projects and use your technical understanding of the Development Consent Order (DCO) process to obtain consent for the green energy projects that will drive the move to Net Zero.

Leading the coordination and preparation of DCO applications and the examination phase of our major infrastructure projects, you will work on the Chesterfield to Willington project.

You’ll be part of a team with a very strong track record in gaining DCO approvals; we have a large inhouse team and use consultants for specific specialisms as required.

You’ll be involved at every stage of the project lifecycle and take ownership of the co-ordination aspect of the DCO application and examination for the major infrastructure project you are working on.

This role will require regular travel, a few times a week to our Chesterfield, Castle Donnington or Birmingham office. We offer hybrid working where possible, nationwide travel may also be required occasionally.

About You

• You have a comprehensive understanding and demonstrable relevant experience of the Planning Act 2008 and Infrastructure Planning Regulations, Planning Inspectorate Advice Notes, and others, as may be required.
• You have a degree in a relevant subject, or relevant project management experience specific to DCO projects and the legal requirements of the Planning Act 2008 and relevant regulations and advice notes.
• We’re open to the kind of background you might have experience of, for example you might come from rail, roads, airports, water or waste before National Grid.
• Your knowledge and experience of the DCO process is more important than the kind of industry you’ve worked in.
• Experience in effectively leading administrative support teams and the wider project team to complete work correctly, as they input into the relevant documents.
• Experience of producing high quality and detailed information, often working under pressure.
• A clear, concise, and open communicator.
• You are a positive addition to your team and committed to contributing to a supportive work environment.
• Ability to engage effectively and productively with all relevant project stakeholders, internally and externally, at all levels whilst enhancing National Grid’s reputation.
• You have the flexibility to travel as and when required, mostly to the Chesterfield project office and to the supplier office in Birmingham.

What You'll Do

• Take the lead in coordinating and managing the input of a multi-disciplinary technical team to prepare and deliver all relevant documents throughout the project stages.
• Being responsible for the identification of deliverables and the schedule for them, ensuring project team members from all disciplines understand their assigned roles and responsibilities.
• Direct accountability to lead an efficient review process of all deliverables, and final production of the application and examination submissions. You will work with the project Document Controller and/or Production Management Lead to drive efficiencies and value for money whilst also preserving National Grid’s reputation.
• Managing the administration of application documents (there could be up to 200 documents per application). Ensuring National Grid meet all legal requirements of the planning application for a project requiring consent under the Planning Act 2008.
• Ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and timely delivery of DCO documentation, by making sure the necessary processes and controls are in place.
• Working with the Senior DCO Project Manager to ensure the examination runs as smoothly as possible, including written submissions, hearing management venues, training requirements and all statutory processes.
• Take the lead in developing the implementation plan, preparation, delivery, co-ordination, management and effective running of the pre-examination and examination phase of the DCO process.
• Direct accountability for providing accurate and timely project status reports to ensure robust tracking and reporting.
• Lead communications with the Planning Inspectorate, working with the project team on all procedural matters relating to application submission and examination.
• Co-ordinating stakeholder engagement across multi-disciplinary teams in respect of the DCO.
• Managing stakeholder issues in a way that preserves National Grid’s reputation.
• Co-ordinating all procedural requirements under the Planning Act 2008 and all other regulations relevant to the delivery of the DCO Project.
• Co-ordinating procedural requirements at each stage of the project process including statutory consultation, application submission, pre-examination and examination.
• Managing acceptance of the DCO by the Planning Inspectorate. This will include managing Section 56 of the project; ensuring it remains compliant with legislation, including roles, responsibilities and programme, and co-ordinating the drafting and approval of notices and letters.
• In advance of the examination, leading on the development and implementation of a plan to deliver this phase. Including establishing processes and procedures required, including any associated training for the team.
• Leading examination logistics. This will involve identifying proposed locations for hearings to PINS, co-ordinating and planning accompanied/unaccompanied sites visits and routes and identifying and procuring a hearing production company.

What You'll Get

• A competitive salary between £62,000 -£77,000.
• This role also attracts a £4,500 market supplement per annum.
• You’ll also be eligible for a Company Car should you meet the Job Requirement criteria.
• 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

About Us

The British Energy Security Strategy set out the Government's ambition to connect up to 50GW of offshore generation to the electricity network by 2030. Facilitating this ambition will require significant reinforcements to the onshore electricity transmission network. National Grid Strategic Infrastructure will make this happen.

Here at National Grid, we connect homes and businesses to power, making sure supply and demand match each other. We make sure the lights are on in schools, operating theatres, and sporting arenas; we’re thousands of people working on behalf of millions of people.

Our investment in Strategic Infrastructure via the Great Grid Upgrade will mean more home grown power, greater energy security and a cleaner future.

Whatever your role, wherever you work with us, you’ll help us hit stretching targets and achieve our far-reaching goal: to secure, clean energy that supports our world far into the future. Here, you will be at the heart of energy.

More Information

This role closes on 24th September 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 work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.

We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

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.