Head of Commissioning

About the role

Lead the safe, successful commissioning of major substation projects across England and Wales.

At Balfour Beatty, we're shaping the infrastructure that keeps communities connected and supports the energy future of England and Wales. We're looking for an accomplished commissioning leader to head our England and Wales commissioning function and guide high-voltage substation projects safely and confidently from construction completion through testing, energisation and operational handover.

The opportunity

As Head of Commissioning - England & Wales, you'll provide strategic and technical leadership across a portfolio of Power Transmission & Distribution substation projects. You'll set the commissioning strategy, governance and assurance approach; build the right internal and external capability; and bring project teams, delivery partners, network operators and suppliers together around safe, compliant and predictable delivery.

You'll lead an internal team, while managing specialist subcontractors, original equipment manufacturers and agency partners. Working closely with the England & Wales Substation Operations Director and stakeholders across operations, projects, engineering, commercial, procurement and workforce planning, you'll ensure every project is ready for safe energisation and successful client acceptance.

What you'll be doing

You'll be a credible, visible leader with extensive senior-level experience of commissioning high-voltage transmission or distribution substations. You'll combine deep technical judgement with the ability to lead people, influence clients and partners, and make sound decisions in complex, safety-critical environments.

• A degree, HNC/HND or equivalent professional qualification in electrical engineering, power systems or a related discipline.


• Strong knowledge of the full substation commissioning lifecycle, including factory and site acceptance testing, protection and control, SCADA, primary plant, transformers, switchgear, telecommunications, metering and AC/DC auxiliary systems.


• A proven record of leading commissioning across major projects and managing multidisciplinary teams and specialist supply-chain partners.


• Thorough understanding of UK legislation, CDM requirements, electrical safety rules, operational authorisation, competence regimes and relevant industry standards.


• Experience of live operational environments, outage planning, readiness reviews, defect management, commissioning documentation and client handover.


• Strong commercial and financial acumen, alongside excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and communication skills.


• Experience with National Grid Electricity Transmission or an equivalent regulated transmission network client; experience of National Grid requirements and substation projects across England and Wales is particularly valuable.

Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional recognition, and current or previous transmission-level operational or commissioning authorisation, would be advantageous.

Location and working pattern

This is a full-time role based from a Balfour Beatty office in Derby, Leeds or Newcastle, with travel required across England and Wales. A full UK driving licence is required.

We offer hybrid working; this usually looks like three days in the office and two days at home.

Who we're looking for

This is an opportunity to shape a critical function, build capability for the future and make a visible impact on the safe, reliable delivery of energy infrastructure across England and Wales. You'll join a business where our behaviours guide how we work: Talk Positively, Collaborate Relentlessly, Encourage Constantly, Make a Difference and Value Everyone.

Ready to lead commissioning at scale?

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK's most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn't rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You'll have the freedom to shape the package that's right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
- Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more...

About us

Balfour Beatty's Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks.

From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on-going maintenance, our in-house experts, flexible resources and industry-leading innovations support customers in the development of some of the UK's most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty, we want everyone to be able to thrive and achieve their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. We're making great progress through our Value Everyone DEI Action Plan, but we know we've got more to do. Find out more about our values and DEI initiatives.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview.

We are committed to our processes being barrier-free and will support adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please let the recruiter for this role know if you require any adjustments.

We're looking to continually improve our recruitment process, so if you have any feedback, please share this with us via candidaterecruitmentenquiries@balfourbeatty.com