Technical Director (CDM & Design Safety - Energy Networks)

Location/s: UK-wide
Recruiter contact: Abhijeet Barpanda

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit

The Energy unit delivers services to clients globally across several sectors including hydropower, nuclear, waste, renewable generation and transmission & distribution networks. Together we provide integrated engineering and project management services across the project lifecycle – from concept and design to construction and operations, to decommissioning or repowering and life extension. Together with our clients, we’re helping to deliver the energy transition globally.

Overview of the role

As Technical Director – CDM & Design Safety within our Energy Networks practice, you will provide technical leadership and specialist advice on Construction Design and Management (CDM) compliance, safety in design and risk management across major transmission and distribution programmes.

Working alongside multidisciplinary engineering teams, programme managers and clients, you will support the successful delivery of complex electricity network infrastructure projects including:

• HV and EHV substations
• AIS and GIS substations
• Overhead line projects
• Underground cable projects
• Grid connection schemes
• Network reinforcement programmes
• Strategic transmission projects
• Offshore and onshore network interfaces
• HVDC and interconnector projects
• Battery energy storage grid connections

You will act as Principal Designer and lead advisor on major commissions, ensuring CDM compliance is embedded throughout the project lifecycle, and that health and safety risks are identified, challenged, eliminated or reduced through effective engineering design.

The role combines technical excellence, client leadership and project delivery, supporting some of the UK's most significant electricity transmission and distribution investments required to deliver energy security and net zero objectives.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Principal Designer and CDM leadership
  • Deliver Principal Designer and CDM Advisor services on major transmission and distribution projects
  • Plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety during the pre-construction phase
  • Advise clients on their statutory duties under CDM 2015
  • Develop and maintain project-specific CDM and design risk management strategies
  • Review and coordinate Pre-Construction Information
  • Lead the preparation and assurance of Health and Safety Files
  • Ensure effective coordination between designers, contractors, commissioning teams and network operators

• Safety in Design
  • Lead Safety in Design reviews across all project stages
  • Facilitate and chair:
    • HAZID workshops
    • Design Safety Reviews
    • Constructability Reviews
    • Operational Safety Reviews
    • Interface Risk Workshops
  • Support engineering teams in identifying opportunities to eliminate risk through design
  • Review hazard registers and design risk assessments
  • Challenge engineering solutions where risks can be further reduced
  • Support management of safety-critical interfaces between civil, structural, electrical and commissioning activities

• Technical advisory
  • Provide specialist CDM and Safety in Design advice across:
    • Transmission substations up to 400kV
    • Distribution substations
    • Overhead line infrastructure
    • Underground cable systems
    • HVDC converter stations
    • Grid connection facilities
    • Asset replacement and network reinforcement schemes
    • Brownfield live network modifications
    • Construction adjacent to operational electrical infrastructure
  • Advise project teams on:
    • Temporary works interfaces
    • Asset access and maintainability
    • Operational safety requirements
    • Construction phasing
    • Network outage constraints
    • Commissioning and energisation risks
    • Human factors and operational interfaces

• Client and programme leadership
  • Act as trusted advisor to key transmission and distribution clients
  • Support framework delivery teams across multiple projects and programmes
  • Contribute to bids, framework opportunities and project planning
  • Develop long-term relationships with client stakeholders

• Team Leadership/Governance and assurance
  • Lead our CDM team of consultants/advisors within the Energy Networks division
  • Represent the business at technical reviews, client meetings and industry forums
  • Mentor and develop junior CDM professionals
  • Undertake technical assurance reviews
  • Support audits and CDM compliance assessments
  • Contribute to the development of Energy Networks CDM standards and guidance
  • Drive consistency and best practice across the T&D portfolio
  • Capture lessons learned and promote continual improvement

Candidate specification

Essential:

• Degree in an engineering, construction or related technical discipline
• NEBOSH Construction Certificate as a minimum
• Higher Health and Safety qualification such as:
  • NEBOSH Diploma
  • NVQ Level 6/7
  • Occupational Health and Safety Degree
  • Equivalent qualification
• Chartered, Incorporated or progressing toward professional registration
• Membership of a recognised professional institution such as:
  
  • APD
  • IOSH
  • IET
  • ICE
  • CIOB
  • RICS
  • CABE
• Significant experience delivering Principal Designer or senior CDM advisory services on transmission and distribution projects
• Extensive understanding of CDM Regulations 2015
• Demonstrable experience within electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure
• Experience supporting major network owners, DNOs or transmission operators
• Experience across feasibility, concept, detailed design, construction and handover stages
• Experience leading multidisciplinary design teams through Safety in Design processes
• Experience facilitating HAZID and Design Safety workshops
• Strong understanding of design risk management principles
• Experience working in high-hazard and safety-critical environments
• Proven ability to influence engineering decisions through risk-based thinking
• Excellent technical report writing and presentation skills

Desirable:

• Experience working on National Grid, SSEN Transmission, SP Energy Networks, ScottishPower, ESB Networks, EirGrid or similar frameworks
• Experience supporting Major Project and Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment programmes
• Knowledge of:
  • BS5975
  • Building Safety Act requirements
  • Temporary Works management
  • PAS 2080
  • ISO 45001
• Experience on:
  • 275kV and 400kv substations
  • HVDC projects
  • Offshore transmission infrastructure
  • Grid connection projects
  • Live network modifications
• Experience undertaking audits and assurance reviews

If this opportunity resonates with you, we would be delighted to hear from you.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working  

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.