Operations Manager - Substations

National Grid plc; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 76,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Bonus opportunity (30%)

Pension up to 18%

Private medical insurance

Job summary

National Grid plc in the UK is seeking an experienced Operations Manager - Substations to lead the safe, efficient operation of transmission substations across four sites in East Kent. The role requires visible leadership of a dispersed team and a strong focus on safety and performance.

You will drive continuous improvement, manage capital works, and engage with stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance while balancing on-site and remote duties in a hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• A minimum HNC/Level 4 qualification in Engineering, preferably electrical.
• 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.
• You will live within 45 minutes commute of Sellindge, Kent.
• Experience in Electricity Transmission or Distribution, Maintenance and/or Construction operations.
• NEBOSH (or willing to work towards).

Responsibilities

• Lead safe, efficient and resilient operation of electricity transmission substations across four sites in East Kent.
• Lead technical teams, coordinate cross-functional projects, oversee preventative maintenance and fault response.
• Support major capital works to deliver a reliable transmission network 24/7.
• Foster a culture of safety, coaching and continuous improvement.

Skills

Safety Leadership

People Leadership

Communication

Driving Licence

Education

HNC/Level 4 Eng

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 4 operational sites in the East Kent area. Leading 9 direct reports and a wider team of circa 35 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 Sellindge, Kent.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• A minimum HNC/Level 4 qualification in Engineering, preferably electrical.
• 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.
• You will live within 45 minutes commute of Sellindge, Kent.
• Experience in Electricity Transmission or Distribution, Maintenance and/or Construction operations.
• NEBOSH (or willing to work towards).

Pay and Benefits

• £76,000–£85,000 salary, + company car + 30% bonus opportunity.
• 28 days annual leave + contribution pension totalling up to 18%

Safety, Health, Environment and Resilience

Safety, Health, Environment and Resilience

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.