Operations Manager - Substations, Teesside

National Grid plc; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 74,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Car

Bonus opportunity (30%)

Pension contribution up to 18%

Job summary

National Grid plc in Teesside is seeking an Operations Manager - Substations to lead safe, reliable operation across eight sites. You will manage a dispersed team of around 22 FTE, drive continuous improvement and ensure regulatory compliance while supporting major capital works.

The role requires strong safety leadership, excellent communication, and experience in cost control and delivering performance. Hybrid working is embedded, with site presence and remote coordination from Teesside area.

Qualifications

• Proven Safety Leadership demonstrated in complex operations.
• Significant operational people leadership with dispersed teams.
• Experience in managing costs, performance and commerciality.
• Excellent communication across sites, teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee safe, efficient and resilient substation operation across eight Teesside sites.
• Lead a team of 9 direct reports and ~22 FTE with strong people leadership.
• Coordinate cross-functional projects, preventative maintenance and fault response.
• Support major capital works and ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Safety leadership

People leadership

Communication

Cost management

Driving licence

NEBOSH certification

Education

NEBOSH Certificate (or working towards)

Job description

Operations Manager - Substations, Teesside

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 North East 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 8 operational sites in the Teesside area. Leading 9 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 one hour’s commute of Middlesbrough.

Must have's

• 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.
• NEBOSH (or willing to work towards).
• Experience of Site Occupier responsibilities.
• A track record of driving continuous improvement and improved operational performance.

Pay and Benefits

• A salary between £74,000 - £84,000 pa + 30% Bonus opportunity + Company Car.
• 28 days annual leave + contribution pension totalling up to a max of 18%

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.