Chapter Leader, Network Engr.

As a Chapter Director, you'll lead the development of innovative capabilities and implement processes that align with organizational goals, drive performance, and assure quality. You'll create a positive work environment that motivates employees, supports their health and wellbeing, and establishes effective working relationships with suppliers for mutual benefit, all while achieving and maintaining compliance with national and international standards. Your leadership and guidance will empower individuals to reach their full potential and make a lasting impact on our vision.

You'll be responsible for leading and managing a collaborative, cross-functional group of network engineering professionals within a centralized IT organization. The role is critical for ensuring the optimal design, implementation, and support of advanced network infrastructures for a leading electric and gas utility. You'll foster innovation, knowledge-sharing, and the continuous improvement of network standards and best practices. Key responsibilities include the following:

• Establish the right standards:


o Define expected practices & guardrails and chapter member technical output based on industry best practices
o Ensure that network engineering aligns with National Grid's future state blueprint and road map.
o Review & manage Chapter Lead performance


• Develop the right skills:


o Map expected competencies & certifications against each role & level in the Chapter
o Design career path including performance expectations and promotion criteria
o Partner with Learning and Development teams to design targeted training & certification curriculum
o Ensure personal and professional well-being of your team


• Deliver the right capacity:


o Track supply of and aggregate demand for Chapter resources
o Collaborate with executive leadership to ensure Chapter members are allocated to the most impactful Teams unlocking business value, orchestrating spikes where warranted
o Collaborate with other Chapter Leads to facilitate career moves across Chapters for career growth & cross-training
o Develop a recruiting strategy for Chapter members and participate in recruiting process by making final hiring recommendations


• Manage / deliver for internal and external stakeholders:


o Demonstrate subject matter expertise in all areas of development and innovation in Chapter domain, both internally and externally
o Ensure Platform Leads and other stakeholders know what resources and knowledge are available to them
o Collaborate with executive leadership to ensure Chapter members are allocated to the most impactful Teams unlocking business value, orchestrating expansion and contraction based on prioritization


• Network Engineering Focus:


o Facilitate collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and best practice adoption across the network engineering community.
o Establish and promote frameworks and guidelines for the standardization of network architecture, design principles, and operational procedures.
o Organize workshops, seminars, and training programs to upskill network engineering teams and keep them current on emerging trends.


• Master's Degree in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, or a BS/BA degree or higher in a technical discipline


• Experience in strategic technology leadership, IT infrastructure, analytics, and outsourcing management.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, including articulating complex ideas and influencing in a matrix environment.


• Develop trusted relationships with key stakeholders to deliver desired business outcomes.


• Foster one-team culture with ownership, collaboration, and empathy across functions.


• Experience leading, coaching, and developing people and teams


• Deep technical and functional knowledge in a particular area of expertise


• Proven analytical skills and experience making decisions based on hard and soft data


• Experience with resource planning and allocation within and across organizations


• Proven experience in leading or managing Communities of Practice, network architecture, and large-scale network design and implementation


• In-depth understanding of network protocols, routing and switching, firewalls, and network security principles


• Experience of strong collaboration with colleagues and suppliers in different time zones and communicating effectively with both technical and business personnel
  
  At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it's so much more than that. National Grid supplies us with the environment to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don't plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So, join us as a Chapter Leader, Network Engineering, and find your superpower., At National Grid, 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.
  
  A competitive salary, 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.