Lead Project Manager

National Grid; Heacham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Bonus

Contributory pension (double match up

Flexible benefits

Job summary

National Grid is seeking a Lead Project Manager to oversee the design and construction of an HVDC converter station. The role spans inception to handover, coordinating design, build, and commissioning across internal teams and external partners.

Travel to meetings across UK cities is expected within a hybrid working model. The role demands extensive experience in large-scale energy/infrastructure projects, customer and stakeholder engagement, and a strong grip on project controls and governance.

Qualifications

• Experience in large-scale projects and joint ventures within Energy, Water or Rail sectors.
• Delivery models including ECI to delivery stage, traditional design, and Design & Build (D&B).
• Proficient in design management and project coordination.
• Proficient in project scoping and contract management (NEC or FIDIC preferred).
• Understanding of consenting, planning, and environmental management processes.
• Client-side experience & stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Manage Design and Design & Build (D&B) projects from inception through to completion.
• Manage projects through Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and/or detailed design stages through to delivery.
• Lead projects from concept through design, approvals, construction, commissioning and handover.
• Develop and manage project delivery processes including design management and safety concepts.
• Act as Interface Project Manager coordinating multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Lead coordination and review meetings with internal and external parties.
• Coordinate contractors, consultants, and teams to meet schedule, budget and quality.

Skills

Large-scale projects

Joint ventures

Delivery models (ECI, D&B)

Design management

Contract management

Consent & environmental processes

Stakeholder engagement

Client-side experience

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Purpose

HVDC link project to connect Scottish offshore wind energy into National Grid’s transmission network. HVDC link project is delivered as a joint venture by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission (SSENT). This key role will support detailed design and construction of the proposed HVDC converter station in West Norfolk region.

HVDC link project to connect Scottish offshore wind energy into National Grid’s transmission network. HVDC link project is delivered as a joint venture by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission (SSENT). This key role will support detailed design and construction of the proposed HVDC converter station in West Norfolk region. We’re expanding our project team and looking for Lead Project Manager. This role will be crucial in growing our team of project managers overseeing the design and construction of an HVDC Converter station in England, which will link Scotland and England. Making use of your engineering and project management acumen you will lead on the design of the electricity transmission system and associated civil engineering element of the future across functional teams ensuring a smooth project delivery by working closely with our appointed technology provider to deliver a successful outcome. We offer a hybrid role working arrangement with a requirement to travel for meetings to various locations (e.g., Birmingham, London, Manchester) as project needs dictate and to attend site in West Norfolk region. We’re happy to discuss flexible working arrangements to make this role work for you.

What You'll Do

• Manage both Design and Design & Build (D&B) projects from inception through to completion.


• Manage projects through Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and/or detailed design stages through to delivery.


• Led projects from concept development through design, approvals, construction, commissioning, and handover, ensuring programme, quality, cost, and stakeholder requirements were achieved.


• Developed, implemented, and managed project delivery processes, including design management, Safety by Design, commissioning, scheme closure, and post-completion activities.


• Acted as Interface Project Manager, leading multidisciplinary project teams and maintaining positive stakeholder relationships.


• Led coordination and review meetings, both internally and externally.


• Manage and coordinated contractors, consultants, and project teams to successfully deliver projects on time, within budget, and to specification while minimising operational disruption.


• Monitor and controlled project investment throughout the lifecycle, providing regular progress reports, financial forecasts, risk updates, milestone tracking, and SHE performance reporting.


• Monitor contractor site activities to ensure compliance with SHES standards, Health & Safety requirements, environmental legislation, and CDM regulations.


• Produce and maintained project documentation, ensuring governance requirements were met throughout the project lifecycle while incorporating lessons learned and industry best practice.


• Manage contractor commissioning and performance testing activities and ensured the provision of accurate as-built documentation to support successful asset handover.


• Acted as NEC and FIDIC Project Manager where required.


• Proven experience in delivering highways and infrastructure projects, supported by a strong background in highways engineering and design.


• Extensive knowledge of the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) process, including engagement with Local Highway Authorities (LHAs) and other key stakeholders.


• Manage and delivered Section 278 (S278) agreements and associated highway works.


• Demonstrate practical experience supporting projects progressing through the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, including delivery and implementation phases.


• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to effectively engage technical and non-technical audiences.


• Excellent project management capabilities with a strong focus on engineering and infrastructure delivery.


• Proven ability to lead complex multidisciplinary projects across the full project lifecycle, from concept through to handover.

About You

• Experience in large-scale projects and joint ventures within Energy, Water or Rail sectors.


• Ability to managing diverse project delivery models, including ECI to delivery stage, traditional design, and Design & Build (D&B) projects.


• HNC / HND / Degree in Electrical /Electronic /Mechanical engineering or Civil Engineering is desirable but not essential.


• Capability in design management and project coordination.


• Proficient in project scoping and contract management (NEC or FIDIC preferred).


• Understanding of consenting, planning, and environmental management processes.


• Client-side experience & Stakeholder engagement.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £65,000 – £75,000 per annum, depending on capability. This role also comes with a job requirement car.

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 25th of September 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.