Senior Project Manager

About the role

This is the time for action – we need to move at pace and reform our energy system – to deliver energy security, to tackle climate change and to protect our people. 

To manage the most exciting portfolios in energy 

As Senior Project Manager you’ll be working in a function that looks after some of the biggest, most innovative projects in energy. You will take ownership of your own portfolio and will be supporting a team of project managers to deliver projects that affect the lives of millions.

We are currently recruiting for Senior Project Managers to lead the development of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects as part of the Great Grid Upgrade:

• Cross border connection with Scotland.  New 400kV substation and 27km of new 400kV overhead line in the north west of England developing and delivering the first onshore cross boarder project with Scotland in a generation
• Carlisle to Newcastle.  New 90km 400kV overhead line and substations strengthening our ability to transit new energy between the east and west of the country,  south of the Scottish border

National Grid continues to offer hybrid working from office and home and are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements. 

About you

What we do isn’t just important – it’s essential. That’s why we look to recruit experts in their field. In this case, we’re looking for someone who is :

Relentlessly positive and aware that as Senior Project Manager your attitude will affect everyone in your team and therefore the delivery of the projects they work on. Whilst you rely on your team to deliver for you, you are not afraid to take up the reins and redirect a project in the direction you want it to go. 

• Experience of managing major projects, ideally during the development phase
• Has experience of handling contracts and teams of project managers, a strong commercial focus and sound understanding of financial systems. 
• Due to the nature of the work, plans are changed daily. You have the flexibility and resilience to thrive in such an environment, and the initiative to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. Although you’re an expert, you’ll also be regularly exposed to new situations and are excited to learn everything you can.  
• You have the flexibility to travel when necessary.
• UK Driving License

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace for everyone. So if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one. 

What you'll do

• Lead a project, initially during the development phase, including front end engineering design and consenting process. Responsible for delivering on time, to cost and scope
• Appointing, supporting and developing the project managers in your team.
• Take the project through the entire lifecycle - from early optioneering and feasibility, through the Development Consent Order Process and into construction
• Managing the design process and planning for construction.
• Integration of other project disciplines including consents, land, legal, regulation and communications 
• Submit and secure regulatory funding as required to progress project, in line with governance requirements
• Dealing diplomatically with people. Whether it’s a contract dispute, underperforming employee or member of the public affected by a project, you know how to take the emotion and tension out of a situation and have the ability to help conflicting parties find middle ground. 
• Committing to developing yourself, in order to develop others. Taking responsibility for building relationships and strong networks and actively creating a diverse, inclusive work environment that allows project managers to flourish.
• Driving innovation and encouraging project managers to find new and better ways of doing things. You will keep an open mind and listen to fresh perspectives, especially from employees with backgrounds outside of electricity transmission. 
• Fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of seniority, feels able to share their concerns. As an organisation we are driven by safety. We have an industry leading ‘Safe to Say’ policy which encourages colleagues to speak up and take ownership of safety issues. 
• Driving a positive safety culture for project managers and contractors alike. Quickly forming good working relationships with contractors and ensuring they know their safety obligations and can be left to work unsupervised. You will also ensure your project managers are visible on site and contributing to a safe and collaborative team environment.  
• Knowing how to adjust, reprioritise, and ask for support from other National Grid departments when you don’t have the resources or assets to match the volume of work.
• Having the vision to see where your projects fit in, as part of National Grid as a whole. You can cultivate excellent relationships with other departments and have the insight to appreciate their challenges, and that sometimes their needs will take priority.
• Procurement and contract management of supply chain

What you'll get

A competitive salary of up to £79,000 dependent on capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 30% of your salary for stretch performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

About us

National Grid Strategic Infrastructure is a Business Unit created to propel our grid forward to deliver in 5 years, what has been achieved in the previous 30. By 2030 we aim to have 17 new major infrastructure projects live across England, Scotland and Wales. 

Here at National Grid, we connect homes and businesses to power, making sure supply and demand match each other. We make sure the lights are on in schools, operating theatres, and sporting arenas; we’re thousands of people working on behalf of millions of people. 
Our investment in Strategic Infrastructure via the Great Grid Upgrade will mean more home grown power, greater energy security and a cleaner future.

Whatever your role, wherever you work with us, you’ll help us hit stretching targets and achieve our far-reaching goal: to secure, clean energy that supports our world far into the future. Here, you will be at the heart of energy.

More Information

This role closes on 4th August 2025 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. 

We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.

We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.