Head of Techncial Excellence

Role Summary
Job Title
Head of Technical Excellence
Reporting To
Engineering Director Power T&D
Business Unit
United Infrastructure Power T&D Limited (UIPTD)
Clients
SSE, SPEN, NGED, National Grid
Voltage Range
66kV – 400kV
Contract Type
Permanent
Location
Horsham, Glasgow, Warrington (hybrid working available)
Role Overview
The Head of Technical Excellence will own the engineering excellence framework within United Infrastructure (UI), providing strategic leadership, technical governance, and guidance to a high-performing team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
Reporting directly to the Engineering Director, you will work collaboratively to ensure your team is perfectly positioned to provide world-class engineering support across all UI project teams. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape a multi-disciplinary technical team, driving industry-leading engineering standards and innovation across the UK energy landscape.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Technical Leadership & Governance
Act as the senior technical authority for United Infrastructure’s multi-disciplinary power Transmission & Distribution (T&D) portfolios.
Lead and develop a high-performing team of technical Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) spanning Substations, Overhead Lines (OHL), Civil Engineering, and Underground Cable Design.
Drive a ‘Safety by Design’ approach across all engineering disciplines, nurturing a culture of compliance, technical diligence, and lifecycle safety.
Advance and develop departmental tools, advanced design techniques, and workflows to increase design efficiency, specification development, and project execution.
Maintain project compliance with UI’s Management System, company QA policies, and UK regulatory frameworks
Project Execution & Technical Assurance
Undertake senior technical governance and assurance roles on high-value, complex, multi-disciplinary project teams.
Serve as the final technical quality sign-off and undertake technical quality assurance reviews on complex engineering designs when required.
Ensure all engineering outputs meet client specifications, Eurocodes, British Standards, National Grid Technical (NGTS), SEE & NGED Specifications, and evolving industry best practices.
Provide technical leadership and high-tier engineering input into bids, tenders, and work-winning strategies.
Industry Engagement & Professional Development
Act as an industry ambassador for UI, maintaining a prominent profile within leading professional bodies and global industry working groups (e.g., IET, CIGRE, IEEE).
Translate wider industry best practices, global technical trends, and client requirements (construction, O&M, decommissioning) into actionable UI engineering standards.
Lead innovation initiatives across design and delivery teams to improve safety, optimize construction costs / timelines, and enhance overall engineering efficiency.
People & Capability Development
Assume overall responsibility for resource planning, recruitment, onboarding, and competence management for the Technical Excellence division.
Establish clear technical career paths and competence frameworks for the multi-disciplinary SME team.
Provide supportive personnel management, focusing on continued professional development (CPD), mentoring, and identifying advanced training needs.
Support other engineering managers to monitor staff performance through formal reviews and technical capability assessments.
Requirements
Essential Experience
Bachelor’s degree in electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering from an accredited institution.
Minimum of 10 years of engineering design and leadership experience within high-voltage power transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) through a relevant institution.
Active, high-level membership and involvement in professional engineering bodies (e.g., Fellow or Member of the IET, active contributor to CIGRE working groups).
Desirable
Proven track record fulfilling the role of Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE) or Principal Designer representative.
Formal training in CDM 2015, Temporary Works, and Impressed Voltages within the electricity supply industry.
Thorough knowledge of transmission & distribution procedures, technical guidance notes, and design handbooks.
Deep understanding of UK Health, Safety, Environmental, and waste management legislation as it relates to major infrastructure design and construction.
Exceptional stakeholder management, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to influence clients, government bodies, and senior executives.
Strong analytical mindset with the ability to manage conflicting project deadlines and prioritize complex workloads autonomously.
What UIPTD Offers
Competitive salary commensurate with level & experience
Hybrid working arrangement (Dependent upon role)
Structured career development pathway
Professional membership and chartership support
Company pension scheme
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Private Medical Cover
Join us at United Infrastructure and be part of our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to the complex infrastructure needs of the UK.