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Environmental & Sustainability Advisor

National Grid United Kingdom Added on Jun 10, 2026
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As a subject matter expert for National Grid, you will oversee the environmental performance of massive infrastructure projects that are rebuilding the UK’s power network. You will provide direct assurance and technical guidance to project teams and contractors, ensuring that high-profile construction works minimize ecological disturbance while meeting strict sustainability standards. Your daily ownership includes identifying environmental risks, capturing lessons from incidents, and fostering a culture of responsibility across the supply chain.

This role is critical because you are the frontline guardian of the environment during ‘The Great Grid Upgrade.’ By ensuring these major projects are delivered sustainably, you directly contribute to the decarbonisation of the energy system without compromising local biodiversity or resource efficiency. You bridge the gap between ambitious net-zero infrastructure goals and the practical, on-site environmental realities of large-scale construction.

This suits someone who possesses a solid background in infrastructure and thrives in a site-based advisory role. You should be a confident communicator who can influence contractors while maintaining rigorous technical standards across diverse geographic locations.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The successful candidate will take charge of implementing environmental and sustainability management frameworks across the Great Grid Partnership. This involves providing technical advice to ensure that every phase of construction complies with environmental regulations and internal sustainability targets. You will be the primary point of contact for project teams when navigating complex ecological requirements. Beyond oversight, you are responsible for measuring and reporting performance metrics. You will conduct site visits to verify that contractors are adhering to agreed-upon standards and lead investigations into any environmental incidents. Your goal is to ensure that lessons learned are not just recorded but actively integrated into future project phases to prevent recurrence and improve efficiency.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Working on some of the UK’s most significant infrastructure developments provides unparalleled exposure to large-scale project management and complex environmental engineering solutions. You will gain deep expertise in sustainable construction practices tailored to the energy sector, specifically regarding biodiversity net gain and resource management in a high-stakes utility environment. National Grid offers a platform to engage with cutting-edge innovation in energy delivery. You will likely receive mentorship from senior sustainability leaders and have the opportunity to work with diverse consulting partners, broadening your knowledge of UK environmental policy and the practical application of decarbonisation strategies in a corporate setting.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings a proven track record as an advisor within the construction or infrastructure sectors. You should possess a thorough understanding of environmental legislation and best practices, particularly those relevant to energy networks. A relevant degree and professional membership in a body like IEMA or ISEP are highly desirable for this technical advisory position. Soft skills are just as crucial; you must be a resilient communicator capable of engaging with site managers, engineers, and external stakeholders. Since this role involves significant travel across regions like Wales, the Midlands, and London, a proactive attitude toward hybrid and site-based working is essential for success.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond listing your technical skills and focus on your ability to influence behavioral change on construction sites. Detail a specific instance where you identified an environmental risk and successfully persuaded a contractor or project team to adopt a more sustainable approach. National Grid values people who can 'do the right thing,' so demonstrate your ethical alignment with their environmental vision. Highlight your familiarity with the Strategic Infrastructure landscape in the UK. Research 'The Great Grid Upgrade' and mention how your specific experience in environmental assurance can support the delivery of these projects within the ambitious 2030 timeline. Tailor your application to show you are not just a compliance officer, but a sustainability partner.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is deeply embedded in the environmental management of capital projects. You will focus on minimizing carbon footprints during construction, protecting local biodiversity, and managing waste and water usage effectively. The role acts as a bridge between the company's high-level 'environmental vision' and the tactical execution of infrastructure builds. A significant portion of your focus will be on supply chain sustainability. You will hold contractors accountable to National Grid's standards, ensuring that the materials used and the methods employed on-site contribute to a cleaner energy system. This includes pushing for innovative techniques that reduce the overall ecological impact of the network's expansion.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges is balancing tight project timelines with meticulous environmental standards. Construction projects often face pressure to move quickly, and as an advisor, you must ensure that speed does not come at the cost of sustainability or compliance. Effectively influencing contractors who may have competing priorities requires both diplomacy and firm technical knowledge. Geographic variability also presents a challenge, as you will be managing stakeholders across different regions with diverse ecological sensitivities. Maintaining consistency in reporting and performance across various project types requires high organizational skills and the ability to adapt your advisory style to different site environments.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a site visit to a substation or cable installation project to conduct an environmental audit and meet with the lead contractor. You will assess on-site practices, check for compliance with environmental permits, and discuss any potential risks or innovations with the project management team. In the afternoons, you might transition to data analysis and reporting, where you collate performance metrics for the Strategic Infrastructure unit. You may also lead a workshop or meeting with stakeholders to communicate updated sustainability requirements or discuss the findings from a recent incident investigation to ensure continuous improvement across the grid network.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

National Grid is a massive organization where this role serves as a gateway to more senior sustainability leadership positions. Successful advisors often move into regional management roles or specialized sustainability strategy positions within the Corporate SHES (Safety, Health, Environment, and Sustainability) function. Given the massive investment in the UK energy transition, you will be well-positioned for career advancement in the rapidly growing field of green infrastructure. Exposure to high-profile projects like the Great Grid Upgrade ensures your profile is highly visible to senior leadership, often leading to opportunities to spearhead new environmental initiatives or national-level sustainability programs.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will regularly interact with Project Managers and Site Leads to integrate sustainability into their daily operations. You also act as the vital link between external contractors and National Grid's internal environmental standards. Ensuring clear communication between these groups is essential for mitigating project risks. Other key stakeholders include regulatory bodies and local communities where infrastructure is being built. You may also collaborate with internal sustainability strategists, HSE specialists, and the procurement team to ensure that environmental goals are consistently met throughout the entire project lifecycle.

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