Head of Technical & Commissioning

Due to continued growth, we are recruiting a Head of Technical & Commissioning. This role is in the Operations Engineering job family, supporting Costain project delivery, with a focus on high voltage site construction operations (HV commissioning), Technical assurance and compliance.

This is a high voltage (up to 400kV) technical and commissioning expert role, supporting National Grid substation construction / Cabling and OHL development works predominately. This role will be the business unit’s technical expert for HV substations, Cabling, OHL projects & commissioning activities. They will own the processes, controls, assurance, competency, etc across the whole project lifecycle – tender, design, construction, commissioning and handover.

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Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across all HV projects, supporting client sales, tendering, technical delivery, supplier selection, construction, quality, commissioning and handover.
• Supports governance gates and internal reviews for compliance with National Grid technical specifications, procedures and supplier requirements
• Work with the design leaders to ensure all design output and scope is compliant with HV requirements including National Grid / other clients.
  • Signs off technical nominations for CDAEs, LCDAEs and Principal Designer in line with SR188
• Responsible for development and assurance of HV technical working procedures aligned to the project, Costain, client and regulatory needs, ensure these integrate with other disciplines
  • Owns 'How to Work Safely on HV transmission projects' procedure
  • Safety focus: particularly management of hazards associated with HV sites i.e. Electricity at Work Regs 1989, impressed voltages, HSG47, GS6
• Owns Impressed Voltage Management Procedure and signs off on Impressed Voltage Management Plans per project
  • Issues appointment/ nomination forms for Earthing Control Persons (ECPs) and Earthing Application Persons (EAPs)
• Independently reviews commissioning plans for live projects
• Proven track record of building strong and trusted relationships with NG Asset Operations and NG Commissioning Engineers
• Responsible for HV technical competency, both in discipline and for others involved in delivery, such as civils on a HV site. Define training and competency needs for all roles on HV works, establish a career pathway in HV and succession plans.
  • Ensures all Costain National Grid staff have the required competencies to execute their roles (works with SHE Team to audit this)
• Able to take the lead and resolve complex, multifaceted technical challenges in their discipline; can recognise and mange interfaces with others
  • i.e. Protection and control systems, HVDC, testing & commissioning, energisation, Return to Service (RTS) activities, HVSCC, handover
• Expert communicator and visible leader, supporting both on project and wider initiatives, expert in risk, value engineering and optioneering, etc.
  • Expert in reporting status, including spend, risk, performance and HSEQ matters
• Driving quality control / assurance across the HV projects operations, focus on achieving right first time and predictable delivery
  • Strong focus on continuous improvement
  • Attend/ sign off FATs with the client and or suppliers
  • Ensures lessons learned and best practice are captured across all projects
• Collaborate with project leadership, procurement, commercial and supply chain to drive delivery
• Have an in-depth knowledge of the HV supply chain used in the UK, in particular National Grid.
  • Familiar with OEMs HV equipment, experience of FATs and SATs

Essential

• Over 10 years experiences in the transmission industry for Tier 1 contractors or Electricity Transmission clients

• Strong knowledge of UK HV (up to 400kV) project / construction operations at all stages of project life cycle

• Have detailed knowledge and experience of National Grid standards and requirements (TSs & SRs)

• Strong leadership skills

• Commercial / contractual awareness

• Safety and quality focussed

• Risk and opportunity management

• Digital skills relevant to requirements

• Be a UK Chartered Engineer, CEng MIET

• Currently holds or previously held TP141/SR141 Commissioning Engineer Authorisation or Senior Authorised Person (SAP) Position

• NG Persons Authorisation

Desirable

• Line management and people development (depending on role) experience

• Connections to industry bodies / institutions

• Commercial / contractual training