Operations Manager - Substations

National Grid; Addlestone; Hybrid; GBP 76,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Bonus opportunity

Pension

Job summary

National Grid is seeking an Operations Manager - Substations to lead safe, efficient and resilient operation across five substations in the Surrey/Middlesex area. You will supervise 13 direct reports and a wider team of about 22 FTE, promoting high performance and a strong safety culture on a dispersed site network.

You will drive cross-functional projects, oversee preventative maintenance, fault response and support major capital works to ensure 24/7 network reliability, with hybrid on-site and

Qualifications

• A minimum HNC/Level 4 qualification.
• Proven Safety Leadership.
• Significant operational people leadership experience - direct reports, including leading dispersed teams.
• Managing costs, performance and commerciality.
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage clearly across teams, sites and stakeholders.
• A current full driving licence which allows you to drive in the UK is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe, efficient and resilient operation of electricity transmission substations across 5 sites in the Surrey/Middlesex area.
• Line manage 13 direct reports and ~22 FTE, fostering high performance and safety culture.
• Coordinate cross-functional projects, oversee preventative maintenance and fault response.
• Support major capital works to deliver a reliable transmission network 24/7.

Skills

Safety leadership

People leadership

Cost management

Communication

Driving licence

Education

HNC/Level 4 qualification

NEBOSH (desirable)

Job description

How do you ensure the safety and development of your team to meet business requirements?

Are you ready to take on a senior role helping to shape the electricity transmission network for local communities and the next generation? As part of the Great Grid Upgrade, we’re modernising an electricity system that has served the country for more than 60 years - making it stronger, cleaner, and more resilient for the future.

As an Operations Manager - Substations, you will be responsible for the safe, efficient and resilient operation of electricity transmission substations across 5 operational sites in the Surrey/Middlesex area. Leading 13 direct reports and a wider team of circa 22 FTE, you will bring visible, confident and experienced people leadership to a dispersed operational workforce, creating the conditions for high performance, continuous improvement and a strong safety culture.

This is a key role in ensuring optimal asset performance, regulatory compliance and lifecycle management across a complex, nationally significant environment. You will lead technical teams, coordinate cross-functional projects, oversee preventative maintenance and fault response, and support major capital works that will help deliver a reliable electricity transmission network 24/7. Your ability to bring people together, manage a variety of personalities and backgrounds, and communicate clearly across teams, stakeholders and sites will be essential.

We are looking for a leader who can bring new energy and a new voice to the operation - someone who is visible on site, able to build trust quickly, and committed to performance through coaching, accountability and continuous improvement. We offer a dynamic and flexible working environment where hybrid working is embedded in our culture, with a mix of site and home working to support a healthy work-life balance. To support the operational needs of this role, you will live within 45 minutes commute of Addlestone, Surrey.

Qualification, Skills and Experience

• A minimum HNC/Level 4 qualification.
• Proven Safety Leadership.
• Significant operational people leadership experience - direct reports, including leading dispersed teams.
• Managing costs, performance and commerciality.
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage clearly across teams, sites and stakeholders.
• A current full driving licence which allows you to drive in the UK is essential.

Desirable

• Experience in Electricity Transmission or Distribution, Maintenance and/or Construction operations.
• NEBOSH (or willing to work towards).

Pay and Benefits

• £76,000-£90,000 salary, + company car + 30% bonus opportunity.
• 28 days annual leave + contribution pension totalling up to 18%