External Affairs Manager - South East / East of England in London

About the role

Shape the conversation. Deliver nationally significant infrastructure. The Great Grid Upgrade is the largest transformation of the electricity network in generations – connecting cleaner, home‑grown energy and helping power the UK’s journey to Net Zero. But delivering this change isn’t just about infrastructure – it’s about people, communities, and trust.

As an External Affairs Manager, you’ll lead how we engage with the world around us – shaping the narrative, building relationships, and ensuring our projects are understood, supported, and delivered successfully. This is your opportunity to play a key role in projects that truly matter – helping to deliver the infrastructure that will power the UK’s future. You’ll join a collaborative, purpose‑driven team, working at the intersection of infrastructure, policy and community engagement. We offer hybrid working, with the expectation you’ll be based in the South East or East of England and willing to travel to offices/project sites 2–3 days per week across the region.

Apply now and help shape the future of energy – and how we engage with the communities we serve.

What you'll do

• Lead stakeholder engagement and consultation across major capital projects.
• Shape project strategy, advising on reputational, political and community impacts.
• Design and deliver consultation strategies that influence outcomes and build trust.
• Represent National Grid externally – with MPs, local authorities, communities and the media.
• Lead public‑facing consultations and events, often on complex or sensitive developments.
• Manage agencies and partners, ensuring high‑quality delivery and value for money.
• Navigate the external environment, staying ahead of policy, legislation and stakeholder dynamics.
• Collaborate across teams including Land, Planning, Legal and Corporate Affairs to deliver joined‑up outcomes on construction projects.

About you

• You’re a natural leader, experienced in building and inspiring high‑performing stakeholder engagement and communications teams.
• You know how to influence at the highest levels, building trusted relationships with government, local authorities, NGOs and communities.
• You thrive in high‑profile, complex environments, confidently managing sensitive issues and, ideally, media engagement.
• You bring a strong understanding of planning, consenting and large‑scale infrastructure delivery, and how to navigate complex legislation.
• You’re highly organised and outcomes‑focused, with the ability to prioritise, adapt and deliver at pace.
• You’re an exceptional communicator, able to shape compelling messages that land with diverse audiences across multiple channels.
• You combine commercial awareness with delivery excellence, managing budgets, agencies and contracts end‑to‑end.
• You’re confident in challenging constructively, driving smarter ways of working and making informed, balanced decisions.
• You understand the regulatory landscape (e.g. RIIO) and how it shapes delivery and stakeholder expectations.
• Degree qualified (or equivalent experience), with relevant professional membership a plus.

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £60,000 – £75,000 – dependent on capability. As well as your base salary, you will receive a job requirement car, 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, technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

Equal opportunity

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates – we make appointments purely on merit, assessed against objective selection criteria. We support flexible working and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process should you have any physical or mental impairment which may affect your ability to participate in the 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.