Project Manager - Utilities in Birmingham

Can you lead the successful delivery of high-voltage utility infrastructure from planning through to commissioning and handover? Want to lead projects that will strengthen the UK's electricity network? If you're passionate about delivering critical energy infrastructure, managing multidisciplinary teams and driving successful project outcomes, this is your opportunity to play a key role in one of the UK's most significant infrastructure programmes.

When you join Laing O'Rourke, you'll become part of an industry-leading engineering and construction team delivering some of the UK's most complex and rewarding infrastructure projects. We are committed to investing in our people through structured development, continuous learning and long-term career opportunities, supporting you to build a rewarding career with us.

What is the Great Grid Upgrade? The Great Grid Upgrade is the largest overhaul of the UK's electricity transmission network in generations. Led by National Grid, the programme involves upgrading and expanding the high-voltage electricity network across England and Wales to transport increasing amounts of renewable energy, improve energy security and support the UK's transition to a low-carbon future.

As part of this transformational programme, Laing O'Rourke is delivering the EDN2 project – a 66km overhead line reinforcement scheme between Chesterfield and Willington. This project will enhance the resilience and capacity of the electricity transmission network, helping connect more renewable energy and supporting the UK's journey to net zero.

What is the role? We're looking for an experienced Utilities Project Manager to lead the successful delivery of National Grid utility infrastructure works on the EDN2 project. Reporting to the Programme Director, you'll be responsible for delivering sections of the project safely, on programme and within budget, managing activities from planning and design through construction, commissioning and handover.

Working closely with National Grid, designers, subcontractors, landowners, local authorities and internal delivery teams, you'll lead multidisciplinary teams while managing programme, commercial performance, project risks and stakeholder relationships. You'll ensure works are delivered in accordance with National Grid standards, CDM Regulations and Laing O'Rourke's industry-leading safety and quality processes.

This is an excellent opportunity to help deliver a nationally important transmission project while contributing to the UK's future energy infrastructure.

Location: Based in our Birmingham office until project mobilisation in 2028. Once on site, the role will support delivery across the 66km overhead line route between Chesterfield and Willington, with travel throughout the project corridor as required.

What you'll bring:

• Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.
• Significant experience delivering National Grid, transmission, distribution or major utilities infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing overhead line, substation or other high-voltage electricity infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience delivering complex construction programmes within a Project Manager or Senior Project Manager role.
• Strong understanding of NEC contracts and commercial project delivery.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering and construction teams.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, environmental and quality management within major infrastructure projects.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience working collaboratively with clients, designers, subcontractors and statutory bodies.
• Experience managing project risks, programmes and budgets.
• APM PMQ, PRINCE2 or PMP qualification (desirable).
• SMSTS and National Grid competencies/authorisations (desirable).

About Us: Laing O'Rourke are an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia. Certainty, reliability, quality – this is what our clients want. And at Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O'Rourke's story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long-term conditions and disabilities through the 'Offer an Interview' scheme. This supports applicants who meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know if you would like to opt in to this scheme and if you require any adjustments during the recruitment process.

We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or would like to know more about our recruitment process, please email resourcingteam@laingorourke.com.