Associate Director – Overhead Lines (OHL)
Location: UK-wide (flexible)
Experience: Minimum 15 years

About
Our Energy & Power team is focused on providing a whole system approach, offering end-to-end services to support clients in energy networks, thermal generation, renewable generation and storage solutions. We help clients address challenges across countries and cities worldwide, delivering innovative solutions to support the transition from conventional thermal power to renewable generation.

A career with us means working on some of the world’s most exciting projects, solving complex challenges and undertaking meaningful work that benefits communities and the wider world.

Join a company that inspires and empowers you to deliver your best work so you can evolve, grow and succeed – today and into tomorrow.

About the Opportunity
We are playing a leading role in the global energy transition. As our UK and Continental Europe team continues to expand, we are seeking an Associate Director – Overhead Lines (OHL) to support a range of high-profile projects across our Power & Energy portfolio. This includes high voltage AIS and GIS substations, transmission system assets, HV overhead lines, HVDC interconnectors, and energy storage systems.

Key Responsibilities
• Provide technical leadership in FEED and detailed design for overhead line systems across all voltage levels
• Lead HV/EHV overhead line design delivery across multiple project stages, including international programmes (e.g. Germany)
• Develop and review overhead line routing, system design, retrofitting, and modification from 11kV to 400kV
• Lead complex design solutions including underground-to-overhead transitions and HV cable interface integration
• Ensure all designs are reviewed and approved in line with best practice by appropriately qualified engineers
• Promote health, safety and environmental awareness, ensuring SHE risks are identified and mitigated in design
• Support development and improvement of efficient design processes across the OHL discipline
• Contribute to team growth through mentoring, resource planning, and capability development
• Ensure designs are sustainable and aligned with environmental and planning requirements
• Support resolution of construction and delivery issues
• Ensure drawings and specifications are complete, accurate, and suitable for construction, managing missing information proactively
• Maintain strong client relationships and support business development activities

Qualifications
• Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil or Electrical) or equivalent
• Chartered Engineer (IET) or working towards chartership
• National Grid Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE)
• TP141 Authorisation preferred

Skills & Experience
• Extensive experience in overhead line design (132kV–400kV), ideally within UK transmission and distribution environments
• Strong knowledge of utility transmission and distribution standards
• Proven experience across OHL system development, retrofitting, and modification
• Expert knowledge of CAD tools such as PLS-CADD
• Strong understanding of UK HSE legislation, CDM regulations, and risk management
• Experience working with National Grid and DNO clients and standards
• Proven ability to lead technical workstreams and support project delivery
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and teamwork skills
• Commercial awareness and customer-focused mindset
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure

Work Environment & Flexibility
Work-life balance and flexibility are a key focus. The core Energy & Power team is based across offices in London, Birmingham, Reading, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow and Exeter. However, with offices throughout the UK, flexible, hybrid, part-time and flexible working arrangements can be discussed to suit both you and the business.