2026 Graduate Associate Project Manager, Strategic Infrastructure

About us

National Grid is at the heart of the UK energy network keeping people connected and society moving. We develop, own and maintain the physical infrastructure, such as pylons and cables needed to move the electricity generated from windfarms and power sources around the country. Every time a phone is plugged in, or a switch is turned on, we've played a part, connecting you to the electricity you need - and we're leading the transformation towards a greener future, dreaming bigger to bring a more affordable energy future to everyone.

But it's our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger. But it's no small feat and we need the best to join us in our mission. So, join us and power the future of energy. 

About The Role

Strategic Infrastructure is at the forefront of delivering major electricity transmission projects across England and Wales, helping to connect more clean, low-carbon energy to the grid. As part of National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), our team is responsible for delivering 17 critical new projects that support the UK Government’s ambition to connect 50GW of offshore wind by 2030. These projects are being delivered under Ofgem’s Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework.

In addition to these projects, Strategic Infrastructure also leads the early-stage development of future strategic infrastructure, as requested by Ofgem, ensuring we’re ready to meet the evolving energy needs of the nation.

As a Graduate Associate Project Manager, you’ll play a key role in supporting the delivery of these transformative projects. Working alongside experienced Project Managers, you’ll gain hands-on experience across engineering, procurement, commercial, and construction activities. You’ll help ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards of quality, time, and cost.

Throughout the project lifecycle, you’ll develop your skills in commercial, contractual, and financial management, while contributing to the creation of innovative and compliant design solutions. You’ll also support quality assurance processes and help maintain our Quality Management System. On-site, you’ll have the opportunity to observe and monitor contractor activities, ensuring alignment with National Grid’s Safety, Health & Sustainability standards and UK Health & Safety legislation.

Our Graduate Programme

As you'll be joining our 18-month graduate programme, you'll have a tailored development pathway to support you as you develop a wide range of leadership, business, and technical skills. You'll attend in-person and virtual development sessions throughout your programme to equip you with the essential skills required, as you begin your career at National Grid. We're committed to the personal development of our colleagues so as well as the support from your line manager as you navigate your new role, you'll also have access to 121 coaching and a mentor, from a previous cohort to help you transition from campus to corporate life.

All graduates complete the core development programme to develop key skills such as how to make an impact, giving feedback and presentation skills. Aligned to this role is our Engineering pathway and as part of this you’ll develop further key technical skills aligned to your role as well as important learning modules such as working safely. If relevant to your career aspirations, you will be able to access Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) membership and seek support from a National Grid IET mentor to help you secure your chartership.  

We believe in the importance of getting as much on-the-job experience as possible and to do this, you will complete three 6-month placements, across the UK, designed to deepen your understanding of your speciality but to also broaden your knowledge of our business. At the end of your 18-month programme you’ll return to your initial placement area to kickstart your superpowered career.

What you'll need to apply

You'll need to achieve, or be working towards, a minimum 2:2 in an Electrical Engineering degree. It doesn’t matter when you graduated or if you are currently working towards your qualification. We just need you to be eager to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting.

Due to the amount of travel to our site locations, you'll need to currently have a full valid UK driving license or have completed your theory test (and have a practical test booked) at the time of your assessment centre (if your application is progressed) will allow you to drive in the UK. You’ll need flexibility to travel regularly within role and throughout your graduate development programme rotations.

Please note: We’re hiring for a number of Graduate Project Management roles across our Strategic Infrastructure team, each with different degree requirements. If your degree doesn’t meet the requirement listed above, we encourage you to explore our other project management opportunities opportunities on our careers site with other degree requirements such as; Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Project Management, Project Management-related degrees, Maths, Physics or Economics.

Location

This role is based in Castle Donnintgon, Derby. We offer flexible hybrid working, where possible. This role involves regular travel to office locations and substations, primarily within the region surrounding your contractual base location. Occasional nationwide travel may also be required, depending on project demands. Flexibility and willingness to travel are essential. 

Please note: We’re hiring for a number of Graduate Project Management roles across our Strategic Infrastructure team, each with different degree requirements and locations. We encourage you to review the other PM roles we have available in other locations on our careers site, including: Birmingham, Warwick, Kent, Chesterfield, London, Leeds, Castle Donnington, Pentir (Wales) and Lincolnshire.

What You'll Get In Return

We are proud to offer a graduate starting salary of £36,640
 

Not only will you receive a tailored development programme to progress a superpowered career at National Grid, we also offer some great rewards and benefits too: 

• £2,000 bonus, once joined and started on programme
• 26 days holiday
• £2,400 payment on successful completion of the programme
• Up to £200 per month accommodation allowance as you move around the business, and additional annual leave for when you move between placements plus assistance with moving personal belongings
• Other benefits include pension and share-option schemes, Flexible Benefits, close mentorship and regular feedback & volunteering opportunities. 

More Information

You can only apply for one graduate opportunity during this recruitment cycle. We kindly ask that you review all our graduate opportunities and apply for the one that aligns closest with your aspirations and interests.

We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications/based on volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you obtain the place you want in the application process. 

Assessment centres will be held between November - April 2026

National Grid's Graduate & Student opportunities in the UK are open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria including an existing and valid right to work in the UK. As part of the application process this will need to be evidenced and verified before you can start the programme.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.

Please be aware that it’s your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we're not able to provide advice on this. For information about visas please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas