Quality Lead

OCU; Slough; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

OCU Group is seeking a Quality Lead to drive quality across a major 132kV cable route, substation, and associated infrastructure in the UK. You will own the Project Quality Management Plan, develop inspection and test plans, manage audits, NCRs, CAPAs, and handover documentation, and work with Design, Engineering, M&E, and Commercial teams to ensure the project delivers to ISO standards.

The role requires extensive experience in utilities or civil infrastructure, plus an Internal Auditor

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Quality Lead, Project Quality Manager, Quality Manager, or Senior Quality Advisor.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Internal Auditor qualification or significant internal auditing experience.
• Proven experience managing project quality systems, not just inspection.
• Experience managing NCRs, CAPAs, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing ITPs, quality documentation, evidence packs, and handover documentation.
• Experience in utilities, power, energy, major infrastructure, or civil engineering projects.
• Strong stakeholder management to influence project teams.
• Ability to work independently on live construction projects.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality across a major 132kV cable route, substation, and electrical infrastructure project.
• Own and manage the Project Quality Management Plan (PQMP) throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain ITPs, quality management systems, and project quality documentation.
• Conduct internal audits, supplier audits, and on-site quality monitoring for ISO compliance.
• Manage NCRs, CAPAs, root cause investigations, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee quality documentation, evidence packs, inspection records, and handover information.
• Support testing, commissioning readiness, FAT and project handover activities.
• Collaborate with Design, Engineering, M&E, Commercial and Project Delivery teams to embed quality.
• Monitor quality performance, analyse trends, and report on improvement opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Champion a proactive quality culture across the project.

Skills

Quality Lead / Project Quality Manager

ISO 9001 Knowledge

Internal Auditor qualification

NCRs / CAPAs / root cause analysis

ITPs / quality documentation

Stakeholder management

Full UK Driving Licence

Education

Lead Auditor qualification

Utilities / civil infrastructure experience

Job description

Description

Join OCU Group and play a key role in delivering a major 132kV cable route and substation project that will strengthen and future-proof the UK's electricity network. As Quality Lead, you'll be responsible for driving project quality across every stage of delivery, ensuring robust quality systems, governance, compliance, and assurance are embedded from mobilisation through to commissioning and final handover. This is a project-focused Quality Lead role rather than a Quality Inspector position. You'll spend your time managing quality systems, documentation, audits, governance, and stakeholder relationships while working closely with project delivery, engineering, design, commercial, commissioning, and M&E teams to ensure quality is embedded throughout the project lifecycle. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Quality Engineer or Senior Quality Advisor looking to step into a Quality Lead position on a nationally significant infrastructure project.

Application Deadline

21 September 2026

Department

SHEQ & Growth

Location

Slough

What You'll Do

• Lead quality across a major 132kV cable route, substation, and electrical infrastructure project.
• Own and manage the Project Quality Management Plan (PQMP) throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs), quality management systems, and project quality documentation.
• Conduct internal audits, supplier audits, and site-based quality monitoring to ensure compliance with project and ISO standards.
• Manage NCRs, CAPAs, root cause investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee quality documentation, evidence packs, inspection records, as-built information, and project handover documentation.
• Support testing, commissioning readiness, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), and project handover activities.
• Work closely with Design, Engineering, M&E, Commercial, and Project Delivery teams to ensure quality is embedded throughout delivery.
• Monitor project quality performance, analyse trends, and provide reporting to support continual improvement.
• Build strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, suppliers, and key project stakeholders.
• Champion a proactive quality culture across the project.

Essential / What you'll bring

• Proven experience as a Quality Lead, Project Quality Manager, Quality Manager, Quality Engineer, Senior Quality Engineer, QA/QC Engineer, or Senior Quality Advisor.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Internal Auditor qualification or significant internal auditing experience.
• Proven experience managing project quality systems rather than inspection-only activities.
• Experience managing NCRs, CAPAs, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs), quality documentation, evidence packs, and project handover documentation.
• Experience within utilities, power, energy, major infrastructure, or civil engineering projects.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to challenge and influence project teams.
• Ability to work independently across live construction projects.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable

• Experience working on 132kV or above transmission or utility infrastructure projects.
• Experience supporting cable route and substation construction projects.
• Knowledge of FAT, SAT, testing, commissioning, or energisation activities.
• Experience working alongside Design and M&E teams.
• Knowledge of ISO 10005 or ISO 19011.
• Experience working under NEC contracts.
• Lead Auditor qualification.
• Familiarity with Common Data Environments (SharePoint, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Asite, or similar).

Job Benefits

At OCU, we believe that meaningful work should come with meaningful support. That's the principle behind Careers with Purpose, our commitment to ensuring every person at OCU feels supported, developed, and valued, not just in their role today, but throughout their career with us.

Alongside the opportunity to work on some of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects, we offer a benefits package that we are continuing to develop as we grow, and the kind of career acceleration that only comes from being inside a business moving at this pace.

As a rapidly growing organisation, there are genuine opportunities to progress, broaden your experience, and build a long-term career within OCU Group.

For a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact Hayley Hufton at [e-mail].

Our vacancies are typically advertised for two weeks; however, we reserve the right to close applications early should we receive a sufficient number of suitable candidates. We therefore encourage early applications.

To ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to join our team, please inform us if you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment and interview process is, by emailing [e-mail].