Overview
An exciting opportunity is available for a Policy Application Specialist with a dedicated focus on overhead line work. Reporting to the Policy Application Team Manager, you will plan and conduct independent, in-depth on-site audits to assess compliance with engineering policies, procedures, and statutory regulations. Whether auditing direct-labour teams, contractors, or third parties, your reports must be factual, timely, and impactful, providing clear learning outcomes and tangible next steps to embed a culture of compliance and best practice across the business. This is a field-based role requiring extensive travel across all licence areas. We’re open to candidates based in any of our four licence areas: East Midlands, West Midlands, South West and Wales.
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, celebrating the cultures, personalities and preferences of our colleagues. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future, in a fast-moving industry with a focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources that are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand.
Main Responsibilities
* Compliance and Assurance: Plan and execute a targeted program of both announced and unannounced on-site assurance visits, covering all phases and types of overhead line work to assess conformity to engineering policy, procedures, and safety regulations.
* Conduct and document assurance checks of overhead line teams against all policies relevant to the activity under review.
* Prioritise and perform assurance checks specifically allocated to recently introduced engineering or asset-related policy changes.
* Maintain the authority to intervene and safely halt work immediately should any significant breach of policy or unsafe working practice be observed, ensuring corrective action is taken.
Coaching and Improvement
* Engage directly with operational teams on site, providing clear interpretation and support for the practical application of engineering policy.
* Identify and champion opportunities for adopting best practice on-site, guiding teams toward consistent, high-standard work.
* Provide feedback for improving the design or effectiveness of policy-related controls, suggesting necessary policy updates through relevant feedback loops.
Reporting and Action Management
* Prepare and issue professional, detailed reports on audit findings within agreed timescales.
* Communicate effectively to describe findings, including presenting to relevant managers and stakeholders up to a senior leader level.
* Agree, log, and classify specific, measurable actions that will effectively address any shortcomings or non-conformities identified.
* Contribute to the development and maintenance of key performance indicators and risk profiles in collaboration with the Policy Application Team Manager to strategically target audit work to areas of greatest need.
Performance Management
Manage personal performance and productivity autonomously to maximise the provision of assurance across the licence areas within the assigned time budget.
The Ideal Candidate
* Prior, practical experience working on overhead lines is essential
* Comprehensive practical experience working on and near the high and low-voltage electricity distribution network
* Expert technical understanding of company engineering policies, procedures, and all related safety requirements
* Must hold up-to-date and current overhead craft authorisations, including but not exhaustive: Live Overhead AP/SAP, First Aid, Pole-Top Rescue, Substation Access, and MEWP, etc.
* Full UK driving licence is mandatory for extensive site travel
* Advanced knowledge of company engineering policy and relevant industry rules and regulations
* A fundamental understanding of auditing techniques and principles
* Formal training or qualifications in auditing is desirable but not essential
* Exceptional organisational skills and the ability to autonomously plan, organise, and manage a business-wide assurance programme within time and resource budgets
* Great communication and interpersonal skills, including proven ability in formal report writing, confidently delivering presentations, and effectively coaching operational teams for improvement
* Comfortable presenting factual findings up to senior leadership level
* Above-average IT proficiency in modern digital workspace platforms (e.g., M365, Teams, Excel, Word) for report generation and data analysis
About The Company
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, with screening levels varying by role. Some roles require a triannual check.
Things you need to know
As an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we celebrate individual differences and are actively recruiting from diverse backgrounds to strengthen our inclusive culture. We anonymise all applications in our recruitment system to minimise unconscious bias. Hiring managers only have access to necessary information at interview stage. If you require additional support to complete your online application, please email nged.recruitment@nationalgrid.co.uk. Recruitment correspondence is usually sent by email; please check your account (including spam/junk folders) after the closing date. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received, so please apply promptly.
Contact Details: National Grid
Tel: 000 000 0000
Contact: Stacey Carrington (WP)
Email: VP4439A367.567@vacancyposter.com
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