Head of Tendering & Design - North

# Head of Tendering & Design - North## Job Introduction Reporting to the General Manager, this role sits within the regional leadership team with full accountability for the technical integrity, and delivery assurance of the tendering and Design function across the North.

The Head of Tendering & Design – North will lead a high-performing team responsible for developing commercially robust, technically compliant, and fully deliverable solutions across LV, 11kV and 33kV infrastructure. Utilising a combination of direct labour and specialist external delivery partners and design houses.

This role is pivotal in driving profitable growth, providing design authority, and ensuring seamless integration from early-stage opportunity and bid strategy through to detailed design approval and handover to delivery.

The successful candidate will combine strong commercial acumen with technical leadership, influencing internal stakeholders (Business Development, Operations, Finance) and external partners (DNOs, IDNOs delivery partners and clients) while embedding a culture of accountability, performance, and continuous improvement.
** Key Responsibilities
**** Commercial & Strategic Leadership
*** Lead the development and approval of commercially competitive, risk-balanced tender submissions aligned to margin and growth targets
* Maintain governance over pricing strategy, cost build-ups, and commercial risk allocation
* Drive improvements in bid conversion rates, margin performance, and tender efficiency
* Provide senior technical-commercial input into major bids, frameworks, and strategic opportunities
** Technical Design Authority
*** Act as the regional authority for electrical network design (LV, 11kV, 33kV)[AB1]
* Ensure compliance with:  + DNO / IDNO specifications  + G81, G99 and associated standards  + BS7671 and applicable UK regulations
* Ensure all designs are adoptable, optimised, and aligned to cost, programme, and constructability requirements
* Provide leadership on complex technical and commercial design challenges
** Leadership & Capability Development
*** Lead, develop, and inspire a multidisciplinary team, creating a high-performance, commercially aware culture
* Own resource planning, recruitment, succession planning, and talent retention
* Build capability in both engineering excellence and commercial understanding across the team
** Operational Integration
*** Work closely with Business Development to ensure early engagement and solution alignment with client needs
* Collaborate with Operations to ensure designs are deliverable, efficient, and programme-aligned
* Ensure a seamless transition from tender through IFC design to project delivery
** Stakeholder & Market Engagement
*** Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, DNOs, IDNOs, and regulatory bodies
* Act as a senior point of contact for technical and commercial matters
* Represent the business within industry forums and with adopting network operators
** Governance, Performance & Continuous Improvement
*** Ensure outputs meet all quality, compliance, and timeliness standards (KPIs/SLAs)
* Drive continuous improvement in processes, systems, and design methodologies
* Provide clear reporting on pipeline performance, financial metrics, and risk exposure
* Champion efficiency, digitalisation, and standardisation across the function
** Knowledge, Skills & Experience
**** Essential
* ** Significant experience within the UK utilities / ICP / IDNO sector
* Strong technical expertise in electrical network design (LV and 11kV) with adoption knowledge
* Proven track record in commercial tendering, pricing, and risk management
* Demonstrable success in delivering margin performance and design-to-cost outcomes
* Experience leading and developing high-performing technical teams
* Strong stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills
* In-depth knowledge of G81, G99, BS7671 and DNO/IDNO standards
** Desirable
* ** Experience with 33kV networks and grid connections
* Understanding of AAV models, contestable works, and adopter constraints
* Experience with in framework contracts or major infrastructure programmes
* Track record of improving bid performance,…