Project Officer (Hitchin)

National Gas; Hitchin; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy provider in the UK is seeking a Project Officer to manage standards and regulatory compliance for gas network projects. This role includes overseeing project planning, ensuring safety leadership, and delivering cost-effective services. Strong communication, leadership, and critical thinking abilities are crucial, along with a solid understanding of legislation and gas operations. The position is based in Hitchin and requires regular travel to sites across the UK, offering a competitive salary and benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual performance bonus

Double-match pension scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Flexible benefit scheme

Financial protection

Professional development opportunities

Employee assistance programme

Inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and excellent communication skills.
• Ability to apply critical thinking to make sound decisions.
• Solid understanding of legislative requirements and gas network operations.

Responsibilities

• Managing planned work using allocated resources effectively.
• Planning and coordinating all aspects of specific projects.
• Supervising day-to-day operational activities and job packs.
• Driving a culture of safety compliance in operations.

Skills

Strong communication

Leadership

Organisational skills

Critical thinking

Knowledge of gas networks

Experience in gas industry

Education

IOSH Managing Safely qualification

Full UK car driving licence

Job description

Project Officer

£46,500 to £55,000 plus up to 6% bonus, overtime, and company car.

Location: Hitchin. Requires 5 days onsite weekly, with travel (including some overnight stays) to other operational sites as needed.

About us

National Gas is securing Britain's energy. We transport gas throughout Great Britain, repair and maintain gas pipelines, and manage the meters that allow millions of homes and businesses to access the energy they need. We are the national gas network, providing secure energy to power Britain, achieve net zero, and maintain our industrial competitiveness.

About the role

The Project Officer will ensure high-quality National Gas Services (NGS) projects are delivered safely and in compliance with regulations by providing strong safety leadership, customer focus, and technical expertise. This role is key to delivering cost-effective, customer-focused projects across the UK. You’ll need to travel to sites nationwide and spend some periods away from home as operational and project requirements permit.

What you’ll be doing

• Managing planned work using allocated resources to deliver cost-effective, customer-focused services within budget and timescales.
• Planning, overseeing, coordinating, and documenting all aspects of specific projects, defining scope and direction to keep projects on schedule.
• Supervising day-to-day operational activities, including creating job packs and RAMS, ensuring productivity and efficient work practices.
• Managing the safe setting to work for all activities in line with Safe Control of Operations (SCO) procedures.
• Driving a culture of safety compliance, conducting incident investigations, and carrying out safety/technical inspections.
• Supporting new business activities, preparing business cases, providing technical support, and creating quotations.
• Keeping NGS contractors updated on new techniques and codes of practice.
• Delivering continuous improvement with a financial focus to meet KPI targets.
• Managing and supervising multi-disciplined site teams, conducting competency reviews, audits, and driving staff engagement and performance.

About you

You’ll be a strong leader with excellent communication and organisational skills. You’ll have the ability to apply critical thinking to make sound decisions and recover projects when needed, and have a solid understanding of legislative requirements, company policies, and gas network operations. Safety leadership and the ability to influence and collaborate across teams and contractors are essential.

Key requirements & experience

• Strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills
• Ability to apply critical thinking to support project recovery and decision-making
• Solid understanding of relevant legislation, company policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of high/low pressure gas networks and their operation/maintenance
• In-depth understanding of SCO procedures (SCO1 & 2) and experience as a Job Owner
• Proven ability to lead teams, influence stakeholders, and promote collaborative working
• Significant relevant experience in the gas industry
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification - desirable
• Full UK car driving licence

Security clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What we offer

• Competitive salary and annual performance bonus
• Double-match pension scheme (max. company contribution 12%)
• Generous holiday allowance (26 days + bank holidays)
• Flexible benefit scheme, incl. private healthcare, dental insurance, technology plans, and more
• Financial protection with 10x salary death in service and financial support if you’re unable to work due to long-term illness or injury
• Excellent family friendly provisions such as maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave
• Professional development opportunities inc. financial support to help you cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions
• Employee assistance programme offering free confidential professional counselling 24/7
• Inclusive, supportive, and forward-thinking workplace

Inclusive recruitment

At National Gas, we are disability confident, and we are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve. We celebrate the different experiences our colleagues bring to our organisation and strongly encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply. Please let us know of any reasonable adjustments you need to perform your best.