Engineering Design Governance Manager

About us

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it’s so much more than that. National Grid supplies us with the environment to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don’t plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So, join us as a Engineering Design Governance Manager  and find your superpower. 

National Grid is hiring a Engineering Design Governance Manager  - This position can be based from a main NG office over the country ... Warwick, Leeds, London or Bristol

Job Purpose

Tackling climate change is the biggest challenge facing our generation and we need to deliver a cleaner, greener, energy system to support the UK’s 2050 net zero target, as well as interim goals such as 50GW of renewable energy by 2030. To connect this, ET and SI are delivering more work than ever before.

The Engineering Design Governance Manager will lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of governance structures and controls within the Asset Engineering Assurance (AEA) function. Formalising governance of the design management process will ensure all projects meet with both internal and external specifications, meeting anticipated engineering and operational requirements.

This role oversees that design management processes are robust, compliant, and aligned with strategic engineering outcomes—supporting risk reduction, quality assurance, and efficient delivery across Electricity Transmission. Ensuring the interests of National Grid are fully accounted for and met. The role holder’s leadership, influencing and decision-making attributes will be paramount.

Interfacing with key roles across ET and SI in the areas of engineering and innovation, setting up risk-based governance to support meeting NG specification and procedural and operational requirements. The role holder will take delegated responsibility for BP188.

Overall, the responsibilities of the role will be to establish relevant engineering design governance and controls; develop and maintain a risk framework for engineering design and development; Assure the quality of product delivered through a risk-based audit programme; and continuous improvement. Working across NGET to ensure acceptance of new built and replacement assets onto the network.

What you'll do

• Engineering Expertise and standards – Undertake the role of the Engineering Design Governance Manager associated with all capital work that will be operated and maintained as part of NGET. Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of governance structures and controls supporting the key design management processes.

• Engineering Risk and Assurance to support Asset Management- Provide oversight to the engineering execution in development and delivery to ensure the implementation of best practice and adherence to established standards and frameworks. Establish and maintain governance frameworks for design assurance, including decision gates and approval protocols. Manage traceability of design decisions and derogations from controls. Own and maintain documentation updates (e.g., BP141, DH24) to support compliance and delivery within Design Management. Ensure documentation and controls are sufficient for project delivery needs. Lead a risk-based audit programme for design management processes. Ensure alignment with internal and external audit programmes (ISO9001, 2nd/3rd line assurance). Track and report audit findings, perform trend analysis, and drive resolution.

• Technical Capability Development - Build the technical capability within the team and the wider Delivery Vehicle internal customers to support high quality delivery of all current and future projects in the portfolio. Provide visibility of control performance and risk to internal and external stakeholders.

• Innovation and Continuous Improvement – Lead on seeking innovative and industry best practice regarding Assets and construction design management practices; Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities in processes, procedures and practices across the wider business. Support integration of digital design tools (e.g., BIM, GIS) and ensure governance frameworks accommodate emerging technologies and methodologies. Promote a culture of learning and improvement across engineering and quality teams.

About you

• Experience of engineering design on large infrastructure projects or engineering works
• Experience of designing asset specifications and standards.
• Experience with risk management, audit processes, and continuous improvement methodologies. 
• Experience of management/leadership role in large organisations.
• Member of a recognised engineering body.
• Knowledge and understanding of major infrastructure project delivery.
• Understanding of UK energy system regulations, codes, and strategic planning frameworks.
• Significant relationship and stakeholder management experience, both internally and externally.
• Management of Innovation projects from concept to adoption / implementation
• Desirable: Chartered Engineer Status; qualification in a Project Management or Governance discipline.
• Desirable: previous BP141 authorisation.

What you'll get

A competitive salary– £70,000 - £85,000 DOE 

As well as your base salary, 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, a salary sacrifice technology scheme, support via the employee assistance line and matched charity giving to name a few. 

More Information

The closing date for this vacancy is 17th October. However, we encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. National Grid’s recruitment periods can and may vary. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

 
DE & I statement 
 

At National Grid, 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.
Our goal is to drive, develop and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, the innovation from diverse teams & perspectives and business need. We are committed to building a workforce so we can represent the communities we serve and have a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.
 
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