Graduate Consents Officer, Interconnectors

National Grid is at the heart of the UK energy network keeping people connected and society moving. We develop, own and maintain the physical infrastructure, such as pylons and cables needed to move the electricity generated from windfarms and power sources around the country. Every time a phone is plugged in, or a switch is turned on, we’ve played a part, connecting you to the electricity you need - and we’re leading the transformation towards a greener future, dreaming bigger to bring a more affordable energy future to everyone.

But it’s our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger. But it’s no small feat – and we need the best to join us in our mission. So, join us and power the future of energy. 

National Grid Ventures (NGV) is National Grid’s business that focuses on energy ventures, including Interconnectors.  Interconnectors play a key part in the UK’s energy industry, connecting the UK to our neighbouring countries and providing sustainable, flexible energy transmission.  NGV currently owns and operates a portfolio of interconnectors and is in the process of constructing and developing further Interconnectors. As well as providing National Grid with strong financial performance, successful operation of these interconnectors offers the GB System Operator a greater diversity of supply, facilitates competition across Europe, helps address the intermittency issues posed by renewables and plays a key role in the UK’s journey to Net Zero by 2050. 

As a Graduate Consents Officer at National Grid, you'll work collaboratively with the Consents team to ensure that project consents are delivered economically and in accordance with current legislation, regulations, and guidance. You'll have the opportunity to follow internal best practices, processes, and guidance, contributing to the enhancement of specification, program cost, and National Grid's reputation. 

Your role will involve leading, managing, and coordinating the delivery of minor project consents and allocated consenting activities for major projects. You'll be responsible for challenging, advising, and guiding project teams on the design and development of projects, specifically considering the program, cost, and reputational impacts of proposed changes. 

Additionally, you'll prepare, update, and effectively communicate comprehensive Consents strategies for projects. Proactively managing our delivery partners and providing current financial information to the Project Manager will be essential in ensuring value for money and timely delivery. You'll also play a vital role in identifying and recording project-specific good practices and lessons learned, aiming to improve the consenting process and provide guidance to Consents Officers and the wider business in obtaining project consents and engaging stakeholders. 

Whenever faced with more complex consents issues, you'll have the opportunity to escalate them and seek support from senior colleagues (Senior Consents Officers). Furthermore, you'll have the chance to proactively develop relevant skills, consistently build capability in the consenting and environmental assessment disciplines, and contribute to more effective project delivery.

As you’ll be joining our 18-month graduate programme, you’ll have a tailored development pathway to support you as you develop a wide range of leadership, business, and technical skills. You’ll attend in-person and virtual development sessions throughout your programme to equip you with the essential skills required, as you begin your career at National Grid. We’re committed to the personal development of our colleagues so as well as the support from your line manager as you navigate your new role, you’ll also have access to 121 coaching and a mentor, from a previous cohort to help you transition from campus to corporate life. 

All graduates complete the core development programme to develop key skills such as how to make an impact, giving feedback and presentation skills.  Aligned to this role is our Commercial pathway, where you’ll further develop commerciality skills and gain important insight of engineering and electricity to increase your understanding of our business and industry. Dependent upon your role you may complete a formal qualification such as (Chartered Institute of Professional Development) CIPD.
 
 
 
We believe in the importance of getting as much on-the-job experience as possible and to do this, you will complete three 6-month placements, across the UK, designed to deepen your understanding of your speciality but to also broaden your knowledge of our business. At the end of your 18-month programme you’ll return to your initial placement area to kickstart your superpowered career.

You'll need to achieve a minimum 2:2 in an degree relating to Town & Country Planning, Environment Assessment or Sustainability. It doesn’t matter when you graduated or if you are currently working towards your qualification. We just need you to be eager to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting.
 
 
You’ll need flexibility to travel within role and throughout your rotations as required.

 
To be eligible to apply for this role, candidates must be able to demonstrate that they will have the legal right to work in the UK for the duration of the graduate programme. If you do not currently have the right to work in the UK, or your visa is due to expire during the period of the graduate scheme, please indicate this in your application and we will consider your eligibility for visa sponsorship and whether it would be appropriate to take your application forward.

This role is based in Warwick offering flexible hybrid working, where possible. As part of the role you will also be expected to travel. 

Please note; we also have a similar role based in Bristol (req.61075), Leeds (req.61078) or London (req.61080).

We are proud to offer a graduate starting salary of £34,895.
 
Not only will you receive a tailored development programme to progress a superpowered career at National Grid, we also offer some great rewards and benefits too: 

• £2,000 bonus, once joined and started on programme 
• 26 days holiday 
• £2,400 payment on successful completion of the programme 
• Up to £200 per month accommodation allowance as you move around the business, and additional annual leave for when you move between placements plus assistance with moving personal belongings
• Other benefits include pension and share-option schemes, Flexible Benefits, close mentorship and regular feedback & volunteering opportunities. 

We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications/based on volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you obtain the place you want in the application process. 

You can only apply for one graduate opportunity during this recruitment cycle. We kindly ask that you review all our graduate opportunities and apply for the one that aligns closest with your aspirations and interests.

Assessment centres will be held in Warwick across March/April 2025.