Head of Engineering Policy in Bristol

About us

National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) is the regional electricity distribution division of National Grid. We are the largest UK Electricity Distribution company, providing services and energy to over 25 million customers, through 8 million connections in our four regions across South Wales, the South-West, West Midlands, and East Midlands. Over the next five years we need to invest in over £7.5bn of infrastructure to fulfil the UK's ambition, enabling capacity for more than 1.5 million Electric Vehicles and 600,000 heat pumps and ensuring our customers can connect to our network when they want and how they want.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to join us as Head of Engineering Policy. Reporting into the Director of Asset Management this pivotal role shapes the standards and policies that underpin the safety, reliability, and resilience of our energy network. You will lead a team of subject matter experts, influence industry-wide decisions, and ensure engineering practices meet the highest standards of compliance, innovation, and efficiency. This is an opportunity to challenge conventional thinking, influence how we approach risk and governance, and drive strategic decisions that affect millions of customers and critical national assets. We offer flexibility for this role to be based from any of our offices across the West Midlands, East Midlands, South West or South Wales. You'll need to be able to travel to NGED sites most weeks as part of the role.

What you will do

• Lead the development and governance of engineering policies, standards, and specifications.
• Influence organisational thinking on risk and governance through robust frameworks.
• Oversee the Asset Risk Framework ensuring interventions deliver long-term value.
• Represent National Grid at industry panels to shape national engineering, climate resilience and security policy.
• Chair panels reviewing non-conformance reports and policy updates.
• Approve physical security measures for critical assets including NIS and CNI compliance.
• Manage significant budgets including approx. ~£10m Opex, ~£20m Capex, and £100m+ in service and product contracts.
• Develop long term efficiency initiatives to lower consumer energy bills.
• Support climate resilience strategies to design future networks.

About you

• Significant experience leading engineering teams and subject matter experts.
• Strong technical knowledge of engineering standards, asset risk and physical security.
• Proven leadership capability to motivate, coach and develop high-performing teams.
• Ability to communicate compelling business cases and influence at senior levels.
• Strong commercial acumen with confidence to challenge technical recommendations appropriately.
• Degree in a STEM subject and management qualification (DMS, MBA).

What we can offer you

• A competitive six figure salary dependent on experience.
• An electric company car or car cash allowance.
• Up to 40% Annual Bonus (based on personal and company performance).
• 28 days annual leave, plus eight statutory days in addition to the option to buy additional or sell holiday days every year.
• Private medical insurance.
• A generous contributory pension scheme - we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.
• Life Insurance 10 x base salary.
• Financial support to help cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions.
• Family care benefits including a back-up care service for when your usual care arrangements fall through (six paid days each year as standard with the option to purchase further days).
• Access to apps which support health, fitness, and wellbeing.
• Career development, ongoing training and support, career progression and plenty of opportunity to progress!

Further information

This leadership role offers national influence, strategic impact, and opportunities for ongoing professional development within a forward-thinking organisation. This role closes on 17 February 2026, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. 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.

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.