Operations Team Manager

National Grid; Taunton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy provider is seeking an Operations Team Manager in Taunton, England. This hands-on role involves leading a multi-disciplinary team, overseeing the safety and operation of SCADA and communications networks. The ideal candidate has strong leadership skills, a customer-focused approach, and the ability to manage projects effectively. You will ensure top-notch service delivery while navigating regulatory demands, all in a dynamic and inclusive work environment. Travel is required, and a UK driving license is necessary.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in cultivating inclusive and collaborative environments.
• Experience in prioritizing customer needs and delivering outstanding service.
• Ability to apply commercial thinking to achieve cost-effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Lead an operational team in planning, designing, and executing work safely.
• Monitor and maintain the SCADA and Communications Networks.
• Engage with stakeholders to build an annual work programme.

Skills

Leadership

Customer Focus

Commercial Awareness

Stakeholder Engagement

Project Management

Risk Management & Problem Solving

Supplier & Contract Management

Data Management & Compliance

Safety Management

Job description

Overview

The GB energy system is undergoing a rapid transformation as we work towards CP2030 and Net Zero by 2050.

At National Grid Telecoms, we play a vital role in this journey – ensuring the remote control and visibility of the growing energy network is maintained – enabling the increasing number of connections to the energy network to be delivered.

Our operations teams are at the heart of this mission and we’re currently seeking an Operations Team Manager for the South West of England. Candidates must be willing to be based at a depot within the South West region (e.g. Bodmin, Barnstaple, Taunton, Bristol) and the location will be confirmed at a later stage.

Responsible for the Telecoms Network, you will lead an operational team in safely planning, designing and executing work, all while maintaining strong customer relationships.

Leadership is crucial to our success. Our leaders set the direction, make key decisions, and drive performance to keep NGED one of the UK’s most reliable and resilient electricity distribution networks. They inspire teams, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and ensure we deliver excellent customer service.

As this is a hands-on operational role, you’ll need to be depot-based and comfortable with regular travel throughout the area. This role also requires flexibility during severe weather or unplanned events/exceptional circumstances. You’ll lay a vital part in deploying resources and restoring communications – ensuring visibility and remote control of the energy network is there at all times.

Main Responsibilities

• Responsible for the safety, health and environment and wellbeing of your team & customers in your region.
• Responsible for the installation, operation and maintenance of all SCADA and Communications Networks in your region.
• Leading a multi-skilled team with approximately 20 direct reports.
• Delivering a work programme within a multi-million pound annual Capex/Opex budget.
• Delivering key performance indicators to underpin business success.
• Deliver outstanding service by responding rapidly to fault related demands to maintain connectivity.
• Collaboration with stakeholders to build & deliver a work programme for each financial year.
• Monitoring, maintaining & reinforcing the communications network for our customers.
• Building a succession pipeline for yourself and your direct reports.
• Regular stakeholder engagement within your area.
• Understanding of both Ofgem and Ofcom requirements, including financing, profit margins and customer service.

Ideal Qualifications

• Leadership – proven experience of cultivating inclusive and collaborative environments across multi-disciplinary teams to drive performance.
• Customer Focus – experience in putting customers first by understanding their needs, delivering outstanding service, and providing cost-effective solutions.
• Commercial Awareness – ability to apply commercial thinking to maintain cost-effectiveness while meeting incentive targets within regulatory frameworks.
• Stakeholder Engagement – expertise in collaborating and influencing effectively across internal teams and external stakeholders within a matrix organisation to achieve business goals.
• Project Management – ability to plan and oversee projects and programmes from start to finish, ensuring objectives are met and continuous improvement is driven by lessons learned.
• Risk Management & Problem Solving – track record in managing risks through analysis, reasoning and collaboration with stakeholders to find effective solutions.
• Supplier & Contract Management – experience in managing suppliers and contractors to ensure timely delivery, budget adherence and quality standards that align with key performance indicators.
• Data Management & Compliance – ability to ensure data accuracy through compliance with data policies and procedures, ensuring systems are current and can support informed decision making.
• Safety Management – demonstrated ability to work safely by designing and performing tasks in line with safety management systems, protecting yourself, colleagues and the public.
• Experience – within either the Energy, Telecoms or Utility sectors is desirable but not essential.
• Travel across different sites is required and you should therefore hold a full UK/EU driving licence.

Requirements

The post requires National Security Vetting clearance with eligibility requirements. To meet NSV requirements you will normally need to have been a resident in the UK for at least 5 years prior to the date of application. There are exceptions to this however and may include:

• You have been serving overseas with HM forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of studying abroad.
• You were living overseas with parents.

If you have further queries relating to NSV, please email: [e-mail]

About Us

We’re National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the owner and operator behind the electricity distribution systems for the Midlands, the Southwest of England and South Wales. Serving communities of more than 8 million people, our expert teams deliver heat, light and power for homes and businesses, working outdoors with underground cables, overhead lines and substations that operate between 230 and 132,000 volts.

National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. We are building an inclusive workplace, a place to actively celebrate the cultures, personalities and preferences of our colleagues – who in turn help to build the success of our business and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources that are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand.