Lead IT Project Manager

National Grid plc; Waltham (MA); Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Generous pension

Private medical insurance

Job summary

National Grid plc in the United States is seeking an experienced Lead IT Project Manager to deliver complex technology, infrastructure, and grid modernization initiatives within Electric IT&D. The role will manage end-to-end project execution, governance, and executive reporting, while guiding a team of project managers and analysts.

Hybrid work model and emphasis on collaboration across finance, procurement, and technology groups.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex technology and business initiatives by developing and maintaining project plans, schedules, resource strategies, and roadmaps.
• Oversee project financials, budgets, forecasts, and reporting throughout the lifecycle.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks; maintain governance and provide executive-ready status reports.
• Engage stakeholders and vendors; communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences to ensure delivery.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to project managers and teams; promote best practices and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budgeting

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

SAP

Ariba

Jira

Jira Align

ServiceNow

Microsoft Project

Power BI

SharePoint

Microsoft Office

Job description

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating, and our expertise and track record put us in an unparalleled position to shape our industry's sustainable future.

To succeed, we must anticipate customer needs, reduce energy delivery costs, and develop flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

National Grid is hiring an Lead IT Project Manager for our IT Electric portfolio team in Waltham, MA. This role operates under a hybrid working model. Hybrid work expectations are subject to business needs and company policy.

Job Purpose

National Grid is seeking an experienced Lead Project Manager to deliver complex technology, infrastructure, and grid modernization initiatives within Electric IT&D. This role is accountable for end-to-end project execution, including planning, financial management, governance, risk mitigation, stakeholder engagement, vendor management, and executive reporting.

The successful candidate will ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within scope and budget, and aligned with business objectives, investment plans, and governance requirements. This individual will also serve as a senior leader within the project management community, providing mentorship, guidance, and best practices that strengthen delivery capabilities and promote project success across the organization.

Key Accountabilities

• Project Delivery: Lead complex technology and business initiatives by developing and maintaining project plans, schedules, resource strategies, and roadmaps. Manage scope, schedule, budget, quality, resources, and dependencies while coordinating cross-functional teams, vendors, and stakeholders to achieve project objectives. Drive accountability, enable timely decisions, and ensure project delivery aligns with business goals and priorities.
• Financial Management: Oversee project financials by managing budgets, forecasts, accruals, commitments, and reporting throughout the project lifecycle. Collaborate with Finance and business leaders to develop accurate forecasts and funding plans, monitor spending, analyze variances, and implement corrective actions. Support business case development, investment planning, funding requests, and governance reviews, ensuring leadership has clear visibility into financial performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Risk, Governance, and Controls: Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate project risks, issues, dependencies, and constraints, and maintain accurate logs and recovery plans. Ensure compliance with governance standards and reporting requirements by preparing executive-ready status reports, dashboards, and materials that give leadership clear visibility into project health, performance, key decisions, and emerging risks.
• Stakeholder and Vendor Leadership: Serve as the primary point of accountability for assigned projects by building strong relationships with business leaders, technology teams, Finance, Procurement, and vendors. Lead stakeholder engagement, influence outcomes across teams, manage vendor performance against contractual commitments, and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences to ensure successful project delivery.
• Team Leadership and Continuous Improvement: Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to project managers, analysts, and team members while promoting consistent project management practices, tools, and governance standards. Identify opportunities to enhance delivery performance, transparency, and financial discipline, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Information Technology, Engineering, Finance, Project Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of experience managing complex technology, infrastructure, utility, or large-scale capital projects.
• PMP, Agile, Scrum, SAFe, or comparable project management certification.
• Demonstrated success leading multiple projects and cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
• Strong experience with project planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial management, risk management, governance, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience presenting project, financial, and risk information to senior leadership.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in utility, energy, infrastructure, IT&D, or grid modernization environments.
• Knowledge of project financial management, capital and operating expense controls, procurement processes, and investment governance.
• Familiarity with regulatory planning, rate case support, and large capital investment programs.
• Experience with tools such as SAP, Ariba, Jira, Jira Align, ServiceNow, Microsoft Project, Power BI, SharePoint, and Microsoft Office.
• Strong project leadership and ownership mindset.
• Ability to influence, negotiate, and drive results across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Financial acumen and sound business judgment.
• Ability to anticipate challenges and develop practical solutions.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and executive communication skills.
• Commitment to collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

$142k - $166k a year

National Grid will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. You must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144.

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.

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.