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 (url removed) / (url removed) for more information