Head of SI Onshore Development - Land

About this role

Great Britain's electricity infrastructure is undergoing an ambitious, exciting and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, greener system, one that protects the planet and serves generations to come.

The management of the SI Lands development team is to be split between two Land Rights Managers. Each Land Rights Manager will be responsible for providing an specialist land service to acquire all land and land rights required to deliver the portfolio.  This role will be focussed on development stages of Onshore SI projects.
 
You will be responsible for:

•    Supporting SIs safety culture by demonstrating visible SHE leadership
•    Leading a team of c25 FTEs to lead all lands deliverables for new infrastructure projects 
•    Leading on strategy for engagement with key stakeholders – e.g. Network Rail, The Crown Estate, National Farmers Union, CLA
•    Supporting on modernisation and digitisation of land deliverables to drive efficiency and performance 
•    Managing relationships with internal stakeholders (legal, engineering, PMO, Consents etc) and the customer. 
•    Supporting on input into Land Rights and Acquisitions Strategy, and other core lands policy and guidance documents. 
 

We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.

About you

What we do isn’t just important – it’s essential. That’s why we look to recruit experts in their field. In this case, we’re looking for someone who has:

•    Experience of leading high performing teams with a range of experience and training/development needs
•    Excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills to ensure effective engagement with all relevant stakeholders (internally and externally). 
•    Experience of delivering start to finish land activities for infrastructure projects including access to land, securing land rights, and the negotiation of compensation settlements. 
•    Experience of working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams (engineering, legal, consenting) to support overall project delivery.
•    Experience of providing project and contract management services as part of delivering complex land right project.  
•    Technical understanding, knowledge and experience of the legal and regulatory parameters that National Grid work within, including the range of statutory powers available, understanding how these then relate to the relevant project strategy and approach.
•    Significant knowledge of the consenting regimes and processes relevant to complex linear projects. This includes the Planning Act (2008) Development Consent Order and Compulsory Purchase Order processes and practice including the compensation code. 
•    Provide technical excellence in expert witness and/or the willingness to train to develop this expertise. 
•    The ability to work under pressure to tight timescales with the ability to prioritise accordingly.
•    Solid organisational ability and strong influencing skills
•    Problem solver and solution provider
•    Ability to work with contractors with demonstrable experience of managing an outsourced supply chain 
•    Experience of driving continuous improvement in a complex and fast changing environment

• MRICS or MRTPI is  preferable but not essential

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace for everyone. So if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.

What you'll do

•    Lead and manage a professional expert team to deliver a high-quality land rights service for major new infrastructure projects through the DCO/CPO process as part of multi-disciplinary project teams, including the management of external agents.  
•    Provide an end to end lands service aligned to the Strategic Infrastructure Teams, with a focus on onshore projects and pre construction stages.
•    Ensure work is delivered in accordance with Group Land Rights Strategy, policies, processes and frameworks for the acquisition of land and land rights. 
•    Motivate and develop the team in order to maximise the contributions of practitioners and specialists.
•    Ensure that the team receives the appropriate training & support to ensure they can effectively & collaboratively work with the supply chain - building the necessary relationships, packaging & allocating work efficiently, managing risks in the delivery of the outsourced service, and managing performance & continuous improvement. 
•    Maintain customer relationship, leading on planning and forecasting workload and resourcing strategy and effectively allocate work within the team. 
•    Develop the awareness of the Great Grid Upgrade externally through speaking at conferences, and entering awards where appropriate.
•    Support Nation Grid safety culture, show visible SHE leadership

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £75,000 - £90,000 – dependent on capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a company car or allowance, a bonus of up to 20% of your salary for stretch performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, a salary sacrifice technology scheme, support via the employee assistance line and matched charity giving to name a few.

About us

National Grid Strategic Infrastructure has a key role to play in tackling climate change by accelerating our capacity to deliver clean electricity across the UK. We already operate the fastest decarbonising electricity grid in the world, with an ambition for zero carbon operation by 2025. And by 2035, we want to run 100% clean, green energy, all the time.

Here at National Grid, we connect homes and businesses to power, making sure supply and demand match each other. We make sure the lights are on in schools, operating theatres, and sporting arenas; we’re thousands of people working on behalf of millions of people. 
Our investment in Strategic Infrastructure via the Great Grid Upgrade will mean more home grown power, greater energy security and a cleaner future. 

Whatever your role, wherever you work with us, you’ll help us hit stretching targets and achieve our far-reaching goal: to secure, clean energy that supports our world far into the future. Here, you will be at the heart of energy.

More Information

This role closes on 13th March 2025 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. 

We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

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