Senior Project Manager in Cardiff

The GB energy system is rapidly transforming as we target Clean Power by 2030 and NetZero by 2050. The distribution network is vital in this transformation as we look to accommodate thousands of electric vehicles and heat pumps in people’s homes and connect large volumes of solar and wind. This will require us building out our network at a rate we have not seen this century. As one of the Distribution Network Operators, we have a key role to play in the Great Grid Upgrade – it’s an essential part in enabling the accelerated strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) projects across England and Wales.

An exciting opportunity is available for a Senior Project Manager within the newly formed ASTI Projects team in Field Operations to work at the heart of delivering our major infrastructure projects. Reporting to a Head of Delivery you’ll be fully accountable for delivering the high-profile complex projects (circa £150 million of capital investment) safely, to quality and to time within regulatory allowances.

You’ll be responsible for a project or projects and lead a multidisciplinary team of Project Managers and Project Supervisors through the whole project life cycle, from identifying the correct funding stream or cost recovery mechanism, operational and environmental optioneering/option selection, development of early design strategies, to being accountable for detailed design, contract award and production of construction delivery Programmes, including regulation, governance and procurement activities.

The team you lead will develop and deliver solutions to not only meet the technical needs of the NGED network today, but also ensure that our systems are fit for purpose in our net zero future with a key focus on sustainable construction in the early design stages to help meet the carbon neutral in construction business targets.

We can be flexible on location and this role can be based from any NGED depot within our licence areas of East Midlands, South West, West Midlands or Wales. This will be agreed with the successful candidate.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and performance manage a team to develop, sanction and deliver allocated major projects safely, to time, cost and specification.
• Manage key stakeholders to remove any blockers to the timely completion of the project.
• Ensure robust monitoring, control and reporting of all investments within the major project (including SHE performance, milestone progress, risk management) and provide accurate and timely financial forecasting information to support regulatory reporting cycles and the business and capital plan.
• Ensure that sanctioning, development and tendering strategies are agreed early in development, and that the engineered solution delivers the essential scope at an optimal cost.
• Challenge project teams to ensure project scope, designs and delivery solutions are innovative, efficient, fit for purpose and prevent creep.
• Deliver / arrange training and support across the department to increase technical, financial, programme and safety knowledge and understanding as required.
• Lead and embed positive safety culture and process safety within team to improve collective safety performance ensuring adherence to company policy, aims and objectives.
• Ensure that all essential documentation is completed to the highest possible standard, supporting the investment case and delivery strategy.
• Drive understanding of Regulatory requirements (ED2/3) into project teams and ensure project documentation for regulatory purposes in place.
• Ensure that the construction programme accounts for all known delivery risks and CDM issues, including construction safety, health, environment and sustainability.
• Accountable for first level assurance across all team activities and responsibilities.
• Develop and share best practice across New Infrastructure and the wider business units.
• Ensure that Project Managers are robustly positioned commercially on delivery, and coordinate and prioritise commercial / contractual support systems in place.
• Lead the system access, Field Operations resource interface and commissioning interfaces for the ASTI Project to secure all necessary outages in a timely manner.

Ideal Candidate

• Strong background in project management or engineering, with experience delivering major infrastructure projects and programmes.
• Professional membership (or working towards) with a recognised institution such as the IET or APM.
• Excellent commercial acumen, with substantial experience in finance and cost control on complex, high‑value projects.
• Experience applying change control processes on target cost and lump‑sum construction contracts.
• Understanding of contracting strategies and procurement, with experience managing contracts through the full end‑to‑end project lifecycle.
• Ability to draw on commercial analysis and highlight reports to support decision‑making and maintain strong financial control.
• Solid understanding of financial management and portfolio reporting, ideally around £150m per annum.
• Proven experience co‑ordinating and managing work across a large and varied portfolio of projects.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of CDM Regulations, Safety, and Environmental Standards.
• Desirable: Knowledge of the Electricity Distribution System and PM Qualification.
• Motivated, proactive, and committed to delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire and empower teams to achieve high performance.
• A full UK driving licence, with the flexibility to work between home, office, and site locations.

National Grid Electricity Distribution is committed to safeguarding the interests of the Company, colleagues and customers. This role is subject to a satisfactory Barring Service, (DBS) check, depending on the role different levels of screening and vetting are required. Some roles require a triannual check.

About Us We’re National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the owner and operator behind the electricity distribution systems for the Midlands, the Southwest of England and South Wales. Serving communities of more than 8 million people, our expert teams deliver heat, light and power for homes and businesses. National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. We are building an inclusive workplace, a place to actively celebrate the cultures, personalities and preferences of our colleagues – who in turn help to build the success of our business and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources that are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand.