Head of Transmission & Distribution

Summary of the position:
The Head of Transmission & Distribution is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic, technical, and operational leadership across the organisation’s T&D engineering function.

The role will lead engineering capability across Transmission, Distribution, Overhead Lines (OHL), substations, cables, and associated design and project delivery activities. The position will be responsible for engineering governance, technical quality, resource planning, team development, project delivery, and continuous improvement.

Working closely with senior leadership, clients, project teams, and engineering disciplines, the Head of T&D will support successful project delivery while contributing to client relationships, business development, technical proposals, and the long-term growth of the T&D function.

Key accountabilities:
Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Transmission & Distribution engineering function.

• Lead and develop multidisciplinary engineering and design teams across T&D, OHL, substations, cables, and related engineering functions.
• Establish and maintain engineering standards, technical governance, design assurance, and quality processes.
• Provide senior technical oversight across projects from concept and design through construction and delivery.
• Ensure engineering deliverables meet client requirements, industry standards, quality, programme, and commercial expectations.
• Lead resource planning, capability development, succession planning, recruitment, and team performance.
• Drive technical innovation, digital engineering, standardisation, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee engineering risks, design changes, technical issues, and complex problem resolution.
• Technical proposals, project mobilisation, client presentations, and business development activities.
• Build strong relationships with clients and senior internal stakeholders.
• Promote Safety by Design, CDM compliance, engineering quality, and sustainable design practices.
• Support the continued growth and development of the organisation’s T&D engineering capability.
  Skills and Experience | Essential
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a related discipline.
• Engineering experience, with significant experience in UK Transmission & Distribution / Power Infrastructure.
• Required senior leadership experience managing engineering or design teams.
• Strong experience in Transmission & Distribution, OHL, substations, cables, or power infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and complex projects.
• Strong understanding of engineering governance, technical assurance, design management, and project delivery.
• Working knowledge of OHL engineering and tools such as PLS-CADD / PLS-TOWER.
• Experience with UK power-sector standards, client requirements, and engineering practices.
• Good understanding of CDM 2015, Safety by Design, HSE, and quality requirements.
• Experience with NEC3/NEC4 or similar contract frameworks.
• Strong resource planning, people management, and capability development experience.
• Commercial awareness with exposure to tenders, proposals, client management, and business development.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills.
  Skills and Experience | Desirable
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional qualification.
• Master’s Degree in Engineering, Project Management, or Business Management.
• Experience working with National Grid, SSE, DNOs, TOs, or major UK utilities.
• Experience across both Transmission and Distribution environments.
• Experience with high-voltage projects, including 132kV, 275kV and 400kV systems.
• CDM Principal Designer experience.
• APM, PMP, PRINCE2, CMI, or equivalent qualification.
• Knowledge of PAS 2080, sustainability, BIM, digital engineering, or automation.
• Experience managing international or geographically distributed engineering teams.
  
  Personal attributes
• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with experience managing and developing high-performing engineering teams.
• Ability to lead by example with credibility in IT Solution / Service delivery.
• Sets high standards for themselves and their teams, with the ability to influence and mentor team members to achieve standards expected.
• Passion for innovation and staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Strong understanding of CSIP methods.
• Strong judgement and decision-making skills.
• Strong communicator with excellent interpersonal, verbal and written skills.
• Proven track record of conflict management and issue reconciliation in both delivery and personal circumstances.