Job Description
Senior Lead Project Manager
Job Type: Permanent Full-Time
Remote Work Option: Hybrid
Category: Engineering
Location: Belfast, County Antrim, United Kingdom
Our client is Northern Ireland’s Transmission System Operator. They are the people behind Northern Ireland’s electricity grid. They operate the Northern Ireland power system with world leading levels of variable asynchronous renewable generation, ensuring that everyone has power they need, when and where they need it. But that’s not all, they are now transforming the Northern Ireland power system for future generations.
And that’s just the beginning of their story. They have a critical mission to transform the energy system to enable our society to reduce our carbon emissions and meet our climate change and net zero ambitions.
Be part of the transformation.
The opportunity
They have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Lead Project Manager. They are seeking a focussed, organised and highly motivated individual who is keen to play a leading role in the delivery of Strategic Infrastructure Projects that will transform the Power System and enable the transition to a low carbon energy future in Northern Ireland.
You will be responsible for delivering Strategic Large Transmission Infrastructure projects to approved schedule, budget, and quality requirements. Coordination of team activities and deliverables will also be a key function. You will combine office-based working with site visits to both existing and new substations and transmission circuit sites.
You will deliver major Grid Development Projects on-time and within budget, respecting established governance and controls. You will work on projects across their entire life cycle – from project initiation, through construction and commissioning and right up to project close, working closely with internal and external stakeholders.
As we transition to a low carbon energy future, bring your passion for leading the delivery of Large-Scale Grid Infrastructure Projects to our team and demonstrate the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative work environment and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future in Northern Ireland.
The team
The Networks function has a pivotal role in achieving Northern Ireland’s ambitious decarbonisation targets through planning and delivering high voltage transmission system infrastructure projects and customer connections throughout Northern Ireland.
Within Networks, the Infrastructure Projects team manages the pre-construction development of major transmission projects (normally involving the development of new substations, overhead lines or cable circuits operating at 110 kV and above). We have several major grid development projects to enable Northern Ireland’s energy transition. Pre-construction development involves all Design and Project Management activities following project definition, through to securing all required planning approvals and consents to proceed to the detailed procurement and construction stage. The construction and commissioning of transmission projects is then managed externally through NIE Networks.
Key responsibilities include:
Responsible for coordinating a diverse range of grid infrastructure projects through the public planning process to achieve planning consent. Projects include both the redevelopment of existing High Voltage Assets (substations and overhead lines) and the development of new high voltage projects.
Project manage a portfolio of complex transmission projects, ensuring that appropriate project controls are in place having regard to budgets, schedule, quality, risk and activity monitoring.
Lead engagement and coordination with NIE Networks, Customers and other stakeholders including meetings, reporting, relationship management, and general communication as applicable to the project management role.
Preparing high quality management information and presenting in an accessible and timely fashion.
Developing strong partnerships by working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
Ongoing review and development of procedures and documentation for quality and accuracy.
Leading strategic and change related projects, such as innovations to meet the needs of the team and key stakeholders more effectively, with a focus on accelerating grid delivery.
Mentoring and coaching to support the development of high-performance capabilities and behaviours within the team and a proactive stakeholder engagement approach.
Leading and developing team members, coordinating team activities, providing direction, coaching and resolving escalated issues.
Developing and implementing innovative solutions to improve business processes, collaborating with key external stakeholders to accelerate infrastructure delivery.
Preparing and presenting reports and project approval papers for the Transmission Approval Panel, the Executive and Board as required to meet strict deadlines.
Skills and Experience:
Essential:
Engineering degree, or equivalent qualification.
6 years’ proven experience of successfully managing a portfolio of largescale, complex projects in a similar organisation (ideally in a regulated utility environment).
Able to demonstrate a holistic understanding of the power industry, the evolving energy industry and the challenges to delivery of infrastructure together with a working knowledge of the Construction Design Management (CDM) regulations.
Excellent communication skills, able to articulate technical concepts and analysis to non-technical audiences and business leaders.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to develop a high-performance team in changing circumstances.
Expertise in developing and implementing innovative solutions to improve business processes.
Results focused with strong commercial awareness and vendor management skills.
Access to reliable transport to perform all aspects of the role.
Desirable:
Postgraduate qualification in electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering.
Formal PMP (or equivalent qualification).
Experience delivering high voltage grid infrastructure.
Environmental planning experience along with experience of consulting on engineering practice or managing the work of consultants on behalf of the client, ideally within energy/utility or a similar regulated environment.
What You Will Get
This is an opportunity to lead and contribute to the advancement of a critical component of the energy infrastructure. The rewards package includes a competitive salary commensurate with experience, eligibility for an annual performance related payment, private medical provision, competitive pension with employer matching arrangements, a variety of salary sacrifice schemes (e.g. pension and cycle to work) together with hybrid working arrangements (3 days office: 2 days working at home), competitive holidays and complimentary car parking with electric charging point on site.
If you are an experienced Senior Lead Project Manager seeking a challenging and impactful role within the electricity sector, we invite you to apply.
They have a duty to prevent illegal working and applicants must demonstrate they have a legal right to work in the UK. They are not providing sponsorship for this vacancy.