About The Role

2 Brand New Roles – North and South Wales Focused – Permanent

The UK has set its target to be net zero by 2050 The Welsh Government has set ambitious targets of 70% of consumed energy from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 . The energy industry is responding – together we are building a cleaner, greener Wales.

As External Affairs Manager for either South or North Wales, you will lead communication, consultation and engagement activities on capital projects to help deliver projects effectively and efficiently and protect and enhance the reputation of National Grid.
Your remit will be to work on some of our high profile ASTI projects in Strategic Infrastructure (S.I) as well as numerous Electricity Transmission (NGET) projects to deliver UK decarbonisation.

The role doesn’t have direct reports currently, however, as the team grows, you may be required to build a small team in the not too distance future, to help support your delivery across Wales.
This role is hybrid with multiple offices available but majority home working is likely, with team meetings occasionally in Birmingham, Warwick or London.

We continue to offer true hybrid working from office and home.

We’d particularly welcome applicants from within Wales who can speak and write in fluent Welsh.

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

Dwy Rôl Newydd Sbon – Gogledd a De Cymru – Parhaol

Mae’r DU wedi gosod ei thargedau ar gyfer cyflawni sero net erbyn 2050. Mae gan Lywodraeth Cymru dargedau uchelgeisiol, sef y bydd 70% o’r ynni a ddefnyddir yn deillio o ffynonellau adnewyddadwy erbyn 2030 ac y bydd 100% o drydan y wlad yn deillio o ffynonellau adnewyddadwy erbyn 2030. Mae’r diwydiant ynni’n ymateb – gyda’n gilydd, rydym yn creu Cymru lanach a gwyrddach.

Fel Rheolwr Materion Allanol ar gyfer De neu Ogledd Cymru, byddwch yn arwain gweithgareddau cyfathrebu, ymgynghori ac ymgysylltu ar brosiectau cyfalaf er mwyn helpu i gyflawni prosiectau’n effeithiol ac yn effeithlon a diogelu a gwella enw da’r Grid Cenedlaethol.

Bydd eich cylch gwaith yn cynnwys gweithio ar rai o’n prosiectau ASTI mewn Seilwaith Strategol, yn ogystal â nifer o brosiectau Trawsyrru Trydan (NGET) er mwyn datgarboneiddio’r DU.

Ar hyn o bryd, nid oes gweithwyr eraill yn atebol i’r rôl, ond wrth i’r tîm ddatblygu, mae’n debygol y bydd angen ichi greu tîm bach yn y dyfodol agos i’ch helpu i gyflawni eich gwaith ledled Cymru.
Rôl hybrid yw hon ac mae nifer o swyddfeydd ar gael, ond yn ôl pob tebyg bydd y rhan fwyaf o’r gwaith yn cael ei wneud gartref, gyda chyfarfodydd tîm yn cael eu cynnal o dro i dro yn Birmingham, Warwig neu Lundain.
Rydym yn parhau i gynnig profiad gweithio hybrid gwirioneddol o’r swyddfa a’r cartref.
Yn arbennig, byddem yn croesawu ymgeiswyr o Gymru a all ysgrifennu a siarad Cymraeg yn rhugl.
Rydym yn fodlon ystyried ymgeiswyr amser llawn a rhan-amser, yn ogystal â threfniadau gweithio hyblyg.

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:

• Proven experience in leading, managing and developing a high-performing professional stakeholder engagement and communications team within a construction environment
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of formal planning/consenting regimes within UK and Welsh govt and associated disciplines, energy project development and construction.
• A proven track record in conducting hostile media interviews, defending controversial construction schemes
• Proven track record in influencing key external stakeholders, such as government, local authorities, parish councils, environmental groups, NGOs, etc.
• The ability to write for a range of different audiences and stakeholders using different channels and platforms.
• Demonstrable willingness to challenge ways of working, seek and deliver efficiencies and effectively manage project costs.
• Competence in project management.
• Experience in contracting strategies and procurement seeing contracts through the end to end project life cycle.
• The ability to speak and write in Welsh language ideally.

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

You’ll lead on communications, consultation and engagements activities as required on capital projects, involving:

• Liaison with the project team, communications agencies and key stakeholders to oversee and be responsible for ensuring the delivery of engagement that is compliant with Government legislation and processes, and is considered first class by stakeholders.
• Providing strategic advice to the project team including how project decisions impact the delivery of the wider programme deliverables, and the effect on National Grid’s reputation.
• Managing Community Relations Agencies, including finances, quality of delivery and their performance.
• Developing and preparing consultation strategies and resources to engage with and influence external stakeholders, which align with other major projects and the broader NGET messages.
• Representing National Grid in engagement activities/briefings with MPs, elected members, and parish councils in project briefings.
• Leading on behalf of the National Grid External Affairs team at public consultations.
• Being media spokesperson on behalf of projects when needed.
• Keeping abreast of the external environment and engaging with external stakeholders to have a positive impact on NGET where possible.

You’ll collaborate closely and effectively with the Lands, Planning and External Affairs Team, Corporate Affairs, Legal and project teams to deliver on wide business objectives and construction projects across Wales. You’ll promote the health and safety of our employees and partners as being above all else.

What You'll Get

A competitive starting salary between £58,000 – £70,000 dependent on capability and fully electric or hybrid car.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 15% 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, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

About Us

National Grid Strategic Infrastructure is a Business Unit created to propel our grid forward to deliver in 5 years, what has been achieved in the previous 30. By 2030 we aim to have 17 new major infrastructure projects live across England, Scotland and Wales.

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 July 24th 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. Interviews will be held on or around August 2nd

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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