Grid Manager – UK

R0001571 Grid Manager – UK (Open)

We’re Nadara. We work harmoniously with the power of nature and the communities around us to power lifetimes to come. We call our approach ‘living energy’.

We don’t just produce renewable energy, we live it – recognising our relationship with the people touched by our business and supporting social, educational, cultural, and environmental initiatives that contribute to the development of the communities we work alongside.

Discover more about our business here: https://nadara.com/about/

Nadara is an innovative place to work. We work in a stimulating and challenging environment, where every day we explore the unknown with curiosity, make decisions with quality and take action and deliver with courage. For us diversity is a real value, and we encourage in connecting different perspectives with respect.

Discover more about our culture and approach here: https://nadara.com/living-the-company/

Job Description Summary:

We are looking for an experienced UK Grid Connections Manager, based in London or Edinburgh, to lead grid connection strategy and delivery across Nadara’s UK renewable energy portfolio.
The role will take ownership of grid connections from early-stage strategy and applications through connection offers, agreements, construction support and energisation, with a strong focus on challenging and optimising connection scope, cost and programme.
The successful candidate will act as a senior grid specialist within the UK business, leading engagement with NESO, DNOs, Transmission Owners and specialist advisers, while providing clear technical and commercial recommendations to project teams and senior management.

Job Description:

Main Responsibilities

Grid Connection Strategy & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and take ownership of the end-to-end grid connection process for UK renewable energy projects, from feasibility and application through connection agreement, delivery and energisation.
• Define and optimise connection strategies considering network capacity, connection point, voltage level, reinforcement requirements, programme, costs and overall project economics.
• Lead engagement with NESO, DNOs and Transmission Owners, managing connection applications, modifications and project progression.
• Manage requirements associated with Connections Reform, Gate 1 and Gate 2, ensuring projects maintain the required readiness and connection status.
• Identify opportunities for earlier, alternative, flexible or constrained connections where these could improve project programme or economics.
• Provide portfolio-level oversight of grid connection risks, opportunities, costs and programme, identifying priorities and optimisation opportunities across Nadara’s UK projects.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with network operators, regulators, industry stakeholders and specialist advisers.

Connection Offer & Commercial Management

• Lead the review and negotiation of grid connection offers, modification offers and connection agreements.
• Critically challenge network operators, where appropriate, on connection scope, reinforcement requirements, technical assumptions, costs and programme.
• Develop robust technical and commercial positions to challenge proposed network works, connection dates or costs, coordinating specialist consultants and legal support where required.
• Assess connection CAPEX, contestable and non-contestable works, liabilities, securities, payment schedules and key contractual milestones.
• Identify opportunities to reduce connection costs, accelerate connection dates or optimise scope and technical solutions.
• Manage connection agreement variations and monitor compliance with contractual and project milestones.
• Translate grid-related developments into clear CAPEX, programme, risk and investment impacts for project teams and senior management.

Technical & Regulatory

• Maintain strong knowledge of the GB transmission and distribution system, including the respective roles of NESO, Transmission Owners and DNOs.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the Grid Code, Distribution Code, G99, CUSC and applicable ENA requirements.
• Monitor regulatory, technical and industry developments affecting UK grid connections and assess their implications for Nadara’s portfolio.
• Coordinate and critically review power-system studies, including load flow, fault level, reactive power, voltage control, protection, harmonics and dynamic studies, as applicable.
• Challenge study assumptions, network reinforcement requirements and proposed technical solutions where appropriate.
• Ensure project designs and technical submissions comply with connection agreements and network operator requirements.
• Act as the internal senior grid specialist for the review of connection solutions, grid studies and recommendations prepared by external consultants.

Project Delivery & Technical Governance

• Provide grid-related technical input throughout project development, design, procurement, construction, commissioning and energisation.
• Review project electrical designs to confirm compatibility with connection agreements and network operator requirements.
• Provide input into key grid-related infrastructure, including substations, transformers, MV/HV cables, switchgear, protection and control systems, metering and reactive power equipment.
• Manage technical interfaces between the generation technology, project electrical infrastructure and network connection.
• Support Engineering and Construction teams in resolving grid-related issues during detailed design and project execution.
• Coordinate grid compliance, commissioning and energisation activities with network operators, OEMs, contractors and specialist consultants.

Procurement & Consultant Management

• Define, procure and manage specialist grid consultancy support, ensuring that external advisers provide technically robust and commercially focused recommendations.
• Prepare and review scopes of work for power-system studies, connection offer assessments and other specialist grid services.
• Provide grid-related technical input into procurement processes for substations, transformers, switchgear, cables and associated systems.
• Support the appointment and management of ICPs, IDNOs, power-system consultants and other specialist contractors, where applicable.
• Review consultant and contractor deliverables and ensure that key technical, commercial and programme risks are adequately addressed.

Internal Coordination & Reporting

• Work closely with Development, Engineering, Construction, Procurement, Finance and Legal teams to integrate grid strategy into project development and delivery.
• Provide senior technical and commercial recommendations on material grid-related decisions and investment approvals.
• Maintain accurate portfolio information on connection status, connection dates, costs, securities, liabilities, milestones and risks.
• Ensure grid-related assumptions are appropriately reflected in project CAPEX, programme, business cases and risk registers.
• Communicate complex grid issues clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Capture and apply lessons learned and best practices across Nadara’s UK portfolio.

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering or a related discipline.
• 8+ years’ relevant experience in grid connections, power systems or electricity infrastructure, with significant experience in the UK market.
• Strong practical understanding of the GB electricity system and the respective roles of NESO, DNOs and Transmission Owners.
• Proven experience leading grid connection applications, offers, agreements and modifications for renewable energy, energy storage or other generation projects.
• Demonstrable experience reviewing, challenging and negotiating grid connection offers, including connection scope, network reinforcement, costs and programme.
• Strong knowledge of G99, Grid Code and UK grid compliance requirements.
• Ability to critically review power-system studies and challenge technical assumptions, study outcomes and proposed network solutions.
• Good understanding of HV infrastructure, including substations, transformers, cables, switchgear, protection and control systems.
• Strong commercial awareness, including understanding of connection CAPEX, liabilities, securities, payment milestones and contractual risk.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to engage constructively and effectively with network operators.
• Proven ability to manage specialist consultants and coordinate multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to operate autonomously across multiple projects and provide clear recommendations to senior management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex grid issues into clear cost, programme and investment-risk implications.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Based in, or able to regularly work from, London or Edinburgh, with willingness to travel within the UK as required.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience working for or directly with a DNO, Transmission Owner, NESO, ICP or specialist UK grid consultancy.
• Established relationships within the UK grid industry and experience engaging directly with network operators.
• Experience with onshore wind, solar PV and/or BESS projects.
• Experience with Connections Reform, Gate 1 and Gate 2 processes.
• Proven experience in connection offer negotiation, technical challenge and commercial optimisation.
• Experience with ICP/IDNO arrangements, contestable works and connection delivery.
• Familiarity with power-system analysis tools such as DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSS®E or ETAP.
• Experience managing grid compliance, commissioning and energisation activities.
• Understanding of environmental, planning and land constraints affecting grid infrastructure.

What This Role Delivers

• Secure, compliant and commercially optimised grid connections for Nadara’s UK renewable energy portfolio.
• Clear portfolio-level visibility of grid connection costs, programme, risks and opportunities.
• Effective technical and commercial challenge of connection offers and network reinforcement requirements.
• Opportunities to accelerate connection dates, reduce costs and improve connection solutions.
• Effective management of connection agreements, variations, securities, liabilities and milestones.
• Strong relationships with UK network operators and relevant industry stakeholders.
• Robust grid solutions from early-stage development through construction and energisation.

Pay and benefits

At Nadara, we’re committed to creating an environment where our people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow.

Our rewards package reflects that commitment, including flexible ways of working, continuous learning and development opportunities, and initiatives focused on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

We recognise effort and dedication, and we make sure it’s matched with fair pay and meaningful benefits - join us and be part of an international renewable energy company that invests in both your personal and professional growth.

Salary range: 90K-100K + variable bonus and benefits

The compensation range indicated in the job posting represents an estimated average range for the position. The final remuneration will be determined based on the selected candidate’s experience, skills and qualifications, in accordance with EU pay transparency.

Equality and equity

Nadara is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). We believe that a truly sustainable future is built by diverse minds and voices, and we want everyone to feel they belong and can thrive.

Our hiring decisions are based solely on merit, skills, and potential, and pay is determined fairly - considering each individual’s experience, qualifications and contribution.

Together, we’re building an inclusive culture where everyone has the chance to make an impact, because when people thrive - so does our planet.

What we expect from you

We’re looking for people who share our passion for making a difference: curious minds that are eager to learn, grow and take ownership.

If you bring initiative, commitment and a collaborative mindset, we’ll give you the space and support to flourish.

Location:

London

Time Type:

Full time

Worker Subtype:

Regular