Temporary Network Reinforcement and Active Network Management Programme Lead

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.

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.

Job Introduction

A temporary opportunity is available for the role of Network Reinforcement & ANM (Active Network Management) Programme Lead, based at our offices at either Bristol, Cardiff, Tipton or Castle Donington, for a period of up to 18 months initially, subject to review.

Reporting to the Primary Network Design Manager, you will work closely with and support the four PND (Primary Network Design) Team Managers in developing, progressing and tracking the ED2 reinforcement programmes, as well as taking a lead on co-ordinating the preparations for the ED3 business plan. This will include primary network reinforcement schemes on the 132kV, 66kV and 33kV distribution network across the four NGED licence areas.

In addition, you will be accountable for overseeing the successful development and roll out of ANM schemes across the network, with the proposed temporary ANM development team reporting to you.  For this project, the IT&D team will provide project management support and you will work with this person to ensure the ANM schemes are progressing to agreed timescales.

You will work with the PND teams, DSO (Distribution System Operator), Network Services and Consents & Wayleaves, to ensure that reinforcement schemes for ED2 are progressing to key milestones. Your main role will be to support the PND team managers to achieve the reinforcement programme, including tracking progress and key milestones. As we start to prepare for ED3, you will also be responsible for co-ordinating the development of schemes and Engineering Justification Papers and providing relevant support to development of the business plan.

You will be a key part of the PND management team, working closely with and supporting your colleagues, to ensure that PND can meet both its connections and reinforcement remits.

Network Design comprises teams covering connections onto and the reinforcement of the Primary Network (EHV & 132kV), reinforcement of the Secondary Network and Engineering Design, who prepare electrical, protection/control, mechanical and civil designs for schemes to construct, extend or modify electricity substations energised at up to 132kV.

As part of our hybrid working approach this role offers a mix of office and home working. Hybrid working can only be considered once your initial training is complete and subject to business need.

* Please note that depending on experience, you may initially be appointed at a lower salary until all relevant  training is complete.

If you are offered a position, you will be required to successfully complete a basic DBS check that shows any unspent convictions or conditional cautions.

Evidence of your qualifications will be required prior to appointment.

Main Responsibilities

• Roll out of Active Network Management, working with other NGED teams.
• Managing internal and external resources needed for ANM development. This will also include additional resources for reinforcement programme and business plan development.
• Supporting the PND teams on development of Reinforcement schemes for construction within the relevant regulatory period to meet targets.
• For large strategic EHV or 132kV reinforcement schemes, assisting the relevant PND team when requested by taking a leading role on technical planning and development of the project.
• Interface with several departments across the business, including DSO, Network Services, Engineering Design, Consents, Policy and Control.
• Assisting the DSO team in the development and roll out of flexible services and innovative solutions.
• Assist with planning for the various Regulatory Business Plan submissions.
• Monitoring of reinforcement schemes to meet Regulatory plans and targets.
• Assisting PND team managers with setting and control of reinforcement work plans including financial budgets.
• Monitoring sickness absence.
• Managing workload requirements and resource needs to meet these and supporting other PND teams.
• Providing guidance and support on the application of company policy.
• Representing NGED with customers, on national working groups and with NGET/NGESO.
• Regular coordination with the ESO and NGET on interface issues, as part of joint planning meetings.

The Ideal Candidate

You should be self-motivated and demonstrate a clear knowledge of the principles and issues associated with EHV and 132kV network design as well as being delivery focused, self-motivated and able to achieve results.

You will need excellent organisational skills, and be able to react decisively under pressure, whilst ensuring you maintain consistently high standards.  The ability to oversee or manage multiple diverse projects simultaneously is crucial.

We are looking for an experienced leader who seeks to get the best out those working with and for them, so it’s important that you have excellent communication skills and previous experience or the ability to manage people.

Ideally you will hold a degree in a related discipline and either have achieved, or be working towards Chartership with the IET

This role requires you to be mobile throughout our 4 licence areas and therefore a full UK driving licence is essential.

About The Company

Joining the UK’s leading electricity distribution business means plenty of career opportunities and well-deserved recognition. We reward hard work and encourage ambition. So, as well as a competitive salary, you will also benefit from:

• 26 days paid leave plus 8 bank holidays, up to 28 days with continuous service
• Competitive contributory pension scheme (we double match your contributions up to a maximum of 12%)
• Annual Share Save plan
• Contributory private healthcare scheme for you and your family
• Support via our Employee Assistance Programme, including musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services
• Free on-site parking at all our main sites

Things you need to know

As an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we celebrate individual difference and are actively bringing in more employees from diverse backgrounds to build on our inclusive culture. We anonymise all applications in our recruitment system so we can eliminate unconscious bias and be a workplace that reflects the community we serve. Hiring managers only have access to necessary information at interview stage. If you require additional support to complete your online application, please email nged.recruitment@nationalgrid.co.uk

Recruitment correspondence is usually sent by email, please check your email account including spam/junk folders regularly after the closing date.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient numbers of suitable applications be received, so it would be best to apply as soon as you can.