At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team supporting critical systems that keep the lights on for millions.
- Company: Join National Grid, a leader in energy transition and infrastructure support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, pension scheme, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Full-time role based in Bristol with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's energy network while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with SCADA or operational technology platforms; strong communication and problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 90000 £ per year.
About us
At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving—but it’s about much more than that. We provide the environment, tools, and support for our people to make a real impact. As we drive forward the energy transition, we’re committed to ensuring none of our customers are left behind. Join us as a CNI Support Team Manager and discover your superpower.
About the Role
Join a team at the heart of National Grid’s operations, where you’ll play a critical role in supporting the systems that keep the lights on for millions. Our IT&D Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) function is responsible for managing a suite of advanced platforms, including GE Vernova ADMS, which underpins how we monitor, control, and respond to the electricity network in real time. These systems are used 24/7/365 by Control Engineers, Field Operations teams, Dispatchers, and Contact Centres to manage everything from network performance to outage response.
As a CNI Support Team Manager, you’ll report directly to the CNI Manager and lead a high‑performing support team across the South West and Wales. You’ll take ownership of team operations—overseeing delivery, projects, budgets, performance, and development—while ensuring critical systems remain reliable and effective. This is a highly collaborative role, where you’ll work closely with other regional support managers and application teams to drive consistency, enhance processes, and implement best practice across the wider IT&D CNI function. You’ll have the opportunity to shape how critical systems are supported and improved, playing a key part in delivering resilient, future‑ready infrastructure. If you’re excited by the idea of leading teams that support real‑time, business‑critical systems—and want to make a genuine impact on the UK’s energy network—this is your opportunity to step up and lead from the front.
What you’ll do
- Supporting the CNI Manager in delivering key goals, strategic objectives, and high‑impact projects that keep critical systems running.
- Leading a team responsible for the day‑to‑day support of mission‑critical platforms, including ADMS and other CNI systems, ensuring reliability where it matters most.
- Driving a wide range of technical and operational activities, including:
- Delivering proactive application support and maintenance to keep systems performing at their best.
- Managing SCADA data configuration and complex system updates.
- Supporting control centre operations by contributing to the commissioning of new substations and system capabilities.
- Shaping and delivering system enhancements and improvements that add real business value.
- Producing insightful reports and data outputs to support decision‑making across the business.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with key technology partners and vendors, ensuring we get the best from our platforms.
- Collaborating across teams to drive consistency, improve processes, and embed best practice across the wider IT&D CNI function.
- Owning performance reporting by delivering clear, engaging KPI updates on team activities and system performance.
- Leading day‑to‑day team operations, including:
- Managing availability to ensure continuous system support.
- Overseeing absence, workload, overtime, and expenses.
- Driving a culture of accountability, high performance, and continuous improvement.
- Investing in your team by conducting development reviews, coaching, and mentoring, helping individuals grow and succeed.
- Encouraging knowledge sharing and collaboration across the wider IT&D CNI teams.
- Providing timely, high‑quality support, data, and insights to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring a seamless service experience.
About you
You bring proven experience working with SCADA or similar operational technology platforms, ideally within the utilities or energy sector, and thrive in environments where systems are truly business‑critical. You have a track record of defining and managing service levels and performance metrics, ensuring systems and teams consistently deliver at a high standard. Technically confident, you understand how complex systems fit together, including:
- SCADA architecture, data flows, and control systems.
- Software release processes and how changes are delivered safely into live environments.
You have a strong understanding of the regulatory and operational landscape surrounding electricity distribution, including outage management and industry standards. You’re commercially aware, with an appreciation of asset management principles and how operational systems support long‑term infrastructure performance. You’re an excellent communicator who can confidently engage with a wide range of stakeholders—from technical specialists to senior leaders—building strong, collaborative relationships. You’re a natural problem solver who enjoys working in fast‑paced, team‑oriented environments, bringing a proactive and solutions‑focused mindset. Most importantly, you’re someone who can combine technical understanding, leadership capability, and project delivery skills, enabling you to successfully manage and evolve critical systems that power our operations.
What you’ll get
Competitive salary: circa £65,000 – £90,000 per annum (based on capability and experience). Annual performance incentive: Earn up to 30% of eligible earnings through our performance‑related bonus scheme.
Additional benefits
- 28 days’ holiday plus 8 statutory bank holidays, with the option to buy additional leave and swap up to 3 bank holidays to better fit your personal needs.
- A generous pension scheme with double matching up to 6% of your salary each month. For every £1 you contribute, we’ll contribute £2 — meaning a 6% personal contribution becomes an 18% total pension contribution.
- Life insurance cover of 10× your basic salary, plus employer contributions towards the cost of your Private Medical Insurance.
- Flexible benefits such as a cycle scheme, share incentive plan, technology schemes.
- Access to apps such as digital GP service for round‑the‑clock access to GP video consultations and NHS repeat prescriptions, wellbeing app to support your health and fitness.
- Access to Work + Family Space, providing support and resources for work and family life, including paid emergency childcare and eldercare.
More information
This role is offered on a full‑time basis. This role is based at Avonbank, Bristol, with an expectation of working on‑site 3–4 days per week, alongside weekly travel to our Cardiff office. This role closes on 15th June; however we strongly encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible. This role requires National Security Vetting.
Important notes about sponsorship and legal right to work in the UK
National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points‑based immigration system. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future. 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.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
National Grid is an equal‑opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.
CNI Support Team Manager in Bristol employer: National Grid
At National Grid, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive development opportunities and a generous benefits package, including a competitive salary, extensive holiday allowance, and a robust pension scheme. Located in Bristol, with the chance to engage with teams across South West and Wales, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the UK's energy network while enjoying a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CNI Support Team Manager in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at National Grid on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the CNI systems and how they impact the energy sector. Brush up on SCADA architecture and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to keeping those critical systems running smoothly.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've led teams or projects successfully, especially in high-pressure environments. National Grid values collaboration, so highlight your ability to work with diverse teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the National Grid team.
We think you need these skills to ace CNI Support Team Manager in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with SCADA or similar operational technology platforms. We want to see how your skills align with the role of CNI Support Team Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a CNI Support Team Manager, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership capabilities in your application. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams, driven performance, and fostered a culture of accountability and improvement.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the position.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to track your application and ensure it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Grid
✨Know Your Systems
Familiarise yourself with SCADA and other operational technology platforms mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss how these systems work, their architecture, and your experience with them. This will show that you understand the critical nature of the role.
✨Show Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in high-pressure environments. Highlight your ability to manage performance metrics and service levels, as well as how you've fostered a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within your team.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating complex technical concepts in a way that’s easy for non-technical stakeholders to understand. This is crucial since you'll be engaging with a range of people, from technical specialists to senior leaders. Good communication can set you apart!
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Think of specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. Be prepared to discuss your proactive approach to problem-solving, especially in fast-paced environments where critical systems are involved. This will showcase your readiness for the role.
