We have an exciting and rare opportunity for an Operations Manager – Projects to lead our Major Projects Maintenance team across the South West region from North Somerset to the Isles of Scilly. In this pivotal leadership role, you’ll guide a large, multi-skilled team of Engineers, Senior Authorised persons and Craftstaff to ensure the safety, resilience, and statutory compliance of the electricity distribution network that powers our communities. With responsibility for an annual budget of approximately £6 million, you’ll oversee the full asset lifecycle - from proactive inspection and maintenance to complex repairs and emergency fault response. Your decisions will directly shape network reliability, resilience, and the experience of our customers, while inspiring your team to deliver BIG WORK for a sustainable future. You’ll have the flexibility to work from any of our locations across the South West. As this is a hands‑on operational role, you’ll need to be depot‑based five days a week and be comfortable with regular travel throughout the region. This role also requires flexibility during severe weather or unplanned events, such as storms or flooding. You’ll play a vital part in deploying resources and restoring power supplies—keeping customers connected across our licence areas. 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. Main Responsibilities Responsible for the safety, health, environment and wellbeing of your team & customers in your area. Accountable for CDM compliance for all works and that safety related incident investigations are carried out and learning shared. Leading a large multi skilled team with approx.40 direct and indirect reports. Facilitating development of team members to deliver a capital work programme. Delivering your work programme within a Capex/Opex budget of up to £70m per financial year Delivering the key performance indicators to underpin business success. Delivering & managing your work programme, over multiple financial years, with single projects over £20m in value Delivering the construction of new network across each financial year with responsibility to ensure portfolio of projects are adequately resourced and contractor performance is effectively managed. Understanding of Ofgem requirements including financing, profit margins & customer service (OFGEM RIG). Collaboration with stakeholders to build & deliver a work programme for each financial year. Including engagement with strategic customers to enhance customer experience. Monitoring, maintaining & reinforcing the distribution network for customers with responsibility for the 132kv network in a specific geographical area. Building a succession pipeline for yourself and your direct reports. Responsible for ensuring key technical and operational expertise is developed. Proactively engage with large generation and demand customers to ensure performance targets are met and projects are delivered. The Ideal Candidate Proven leadership experience, with the ability to inspire, develop, and manage teams effectively. Candidates should demonstrate strong decision-making, Proven leadership experience, with the ability to inspire, develop, and manage teams effectively. Candidates should demonstrate strong decision-making, communication, and people management skills. Project & Programme Management: Proven experience in planning, resourcing, and delivering complex projects or programmes from initiation to completion, ensuring objectives are met and lessons learned are applied. Supplier & Contract Management: Experience managing suppliers and contracts to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to quality standards, aligned with KPIs. IOSH or equivalent safety qualification (or willingness to commence within 12 months of appointment) Construction CDM and project management qualification (or willingness to obtain within 12 months of appointment) Customer Focus: Demonstrated ability to understand customer needs and deliver excellent service, with experience in developing affordable, customer-centric solutions. Regulatory & Commercial Awareness: Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and incentive targets, with proven ability to apply commercial thinking to maintain affordability and value for customers. Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled in influencing and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders across a matrix organisation, with experience in building relationships to achieve business objectives. Risk Management & Problem Solving: Ability to identify and assess risks, analyse complex situations, and develop practical solutions using logical thinking and sound judgment, incorporating stakeholder input. Data Management & Compliance: Knowledge of data governance policies and procedures, with experience maintaining accurate records in business systems to support informed decision-making. Safety Leadership: Strong understanding of safety management systems and proven ability to design and execute work tasks in compliance with safety standards, ensuring the protection of self, colleagues, and the public. A full UK/EU driving licence Experience within the Energy or Utility sectors – desirable 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. LI-SC1 LI-HYBRID About The Company Joining the UK’s leading electricity distribution business means plenty of career opportunities and well-deserved recognition. We reward hard work and encourage ambition. So, as well as a competitive salary, you will also benefit from: 28 days paid leave plus 8 bank holidays Up to 30% annual performance related bonus Competitive contributory pension scheme (we double match your contributions up to a maximum of 12%) Annual Share Save plan Contributory private healthcare scheme for you and your family Life assurance x 4 annual salary Support via our Employee Assistance Programme, including musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services Free on-site parking at all our main sites Things you need to know As an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we celebrate individual difference and are actively bringing in more employees from diverse backgrounds to build on our inclusive culture. We anonymise all applications in our recruitment system so we can eliminate unconscious bias and be a workplace that reflects the community we serve. 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. 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. Recruitment correspondence is usually sent by email, please check your email account including spam/junk folders regularly after the closing date. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient numbers of suitable applications be received, so it would be best to apply as soon as you can.