Lead Project Manager
• Location: Hybrid; Newcastle with occasional visits to project site (Scotland)
• Rate: £600 - £650 per day + expenses
• Duration: 6 months+ (3-year framework)
• Start Date: ASAP / Jan 2026
Turner Lovell are recruiting on behalf of a global engineering organisation delivering major high-voltage substation and grid infrastructure projects across the UK. We are seeking an experienced Lead Project Manager to oversee a portfolio of turnkey HV substation projects, working within a multi-disciplinary Systems delivery environment.
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior project leader with strong commercial, contractual, and technical oversight skills to drive end-to-end delivery for key UK transmission customers. Work for a pioneering principal contractor in this hands-on leadership position, delivering the full EPC for GIS substations and take ownership of key client engagement.
Key Responsibilities
* Ensure successful delivery of turnkey HV substation projects.
* Act as the primary escalation point for project teams, working closely with customer-side project PMs.
* Coordinate with Technical, Procurement, Installation & Commissioning, and wider functional teams to ensure seamless project execution.
* Maintain full compliance with Health & Safety, Environmental, and Business Conduct Guidelines (including Export Control and Tax regulations).
* Oversee project schedules, budgets, risk registers, and performance KPIs across your portfolio.
* Identify and manage risks, variations, claims, and commercial opportunities.
* Produce and present monthly progress reports for internal stakeholders and the client.
* Ensure all contractual obligations, particularly NEC contract requirements, are met and proactively managed.
* Support bid, tender, and early-stage project planning activities.
Requirements
* Proven Project Management or Contract Management experience within the Transmission & Distribution / HV substation sector.
* Strong understanding of T&D standards, grid technologies, and substation primary and secondary systems.
* Comprehensive knowledge of UK Health, Safety, and Environmental regulations.
* Skilled in risk, cost, and programme management.
* Strong contractual awareness, with hands-on experience managing NEC contracts.
* Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and team leadership skills.
* Proactive mindset, strong work ethic, and ability to operate independently within a high-pressure delivery environment.
Desirable
* Experience delivering turnkey HV, grid connection, or major infrastructure projects (132kV – 400kV substation & renewable energy builds).
* Background working within a multi-disciplinary engineering contractor environment.
* Understanding of digital grid or HVDC technologies.
If you’re an experienced Lead Project Manager looking to deliver major UK substation and energy infrastructure projects, please apply or contact Maddie Jacob / Hope Brown at madeleine.jacob@turnerlovell.com / hope.brown@turnerlovell.com for more information.