Operational Accreditation and Competence Manager

82456 - Operational Accreditation and Competence Manager

This Operational Accreditation and Competence Manager will report to the Head of Technical Training and Assurance and will work within Technical Training & Assurance based in our any of our Eastern, Southern or London offices. This can include London, Bury St Edmund, Sundridge, Crawley, Maidstone, Colchester, and other office will also be considered. You will be a permanent employee.

You will attract a salary of dependant on your experience, car allowance, flexible benefit fund and a bonus of 10% .

Close Date: 11/05/2026

We also provide the following additional benefits

• 25 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays.
• Reservist Leave – Additional 18 days full pay and 22 unpaid
• Personal Pension Plan – Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%)
• Tenancy Loan Deposit Scheme, Season Ticket Loan
• Tax efficient benefits: Cycle to Work, Home & Tech, and Green Car Leasing Schemes
• Occupational Health support
• Switched On – scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers' products
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee Assistance Programme

Job Purpose:

As the Operational Accreditation and Competence Manager you will be responsible for leading the strategy, governance and delivery of operational accreditation across UK Power Networks, ensuring that all employees and contractors working on or near the distribution network are competent, appropriately authorised and fully compliant with safety, technical and regulatory requirements. The role provides leadership to a core team and a wider network of in-business assessors, working closely with Network Operations, Procurement, Capital Programme and 3rd party contractors to ensure the right skills and authorisations are in place, including for System Emergencies. It also represents UK Power Networks in national skills and competency forums, driving harmonisation, continuous improvement and best practice in operational competence across the business and the wider sector.

Principal Accountabilities:

The Operational Accreditation and Competence Manager owns the governance, assurance and continual improvement of operational competence and accreditation across UK Power Networks, ensuring that all employees and contractors (including ICPs) working on or near the distribution network are trained, assessed and authorised to the required safety, technical and regulatory standards. The role leads a core team and a wider network of in-business assessors and Operational Authorising Engineers, oversees the Worker Accreditation Process and Operational Catalogue, and works closely with Network Operations, Technical Training and Procurement to ensure the right skills and authorisations are available, including for storm and emergency response. It represents UK Power Networks in national skills and competency forums, influences and implements industry standards, and acts as a key technical reference point in major operational investigations, supporting a strong safety culture and harmonised operational practices across the business.

• Lead the governance framework for operational accreditation and competence for all UK Power Networks employees and contractors (including ICPs), ensuring individuals hold appropriate authorisations for the tasks they undertake.
• Provide leadership and professional oversight to the core accreditation team, Operational Authorising Engineers and the wider network of in-business assessors, promoting high standards of safety, technical excellence and customer service.
• Specify and govern the design, implementation and assurance of operational training and assessment programmes relating to the safe operation, switching and control of work on or near the distribution network.
• Design, develop and deliver operational assessments to ensure safe work on or near the network and competent operation of distribution switchgear.
• Ensure the Operational Catalogue and associated competence frameworks are accurate, current and accessible, clearly defining roles, competencies and authorisation requirements.
• Work with Network Operations, Procurement and other stakeholders to ensure sufficient accredited resources are available to support business-as-usual activity, and storm response.
• Represent UK Power Networks on national skills and competency forums (e.g. Energy & Utility Skills, ENA), influencing and implementing sector-wide standards.
• Act as an important technical reference point for serious operational incidents and engineering investigations, and where appropriate engage with external regulators such as the HSE.
• Manage the agreed budget and resources for operational accreditation and competence activities, ensuring programmes and initiatives are delivered to scope, on time and within budget.
• Lead harmonisation and continuous improvement in operational competence and accreditation practices across regions, using data, audit and feedback to identify risks, share learning and embed a strong safety culture.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

• 132kV Senior Authorised Person (UG & OH) with several years' experience in an operational role.
• Current Authorising Engineer (desirable)
• Level 4 Electrical Engineering (HNC)
• Formal HSS qualification (IOSH Managing Safely)
• It is important that you have comprehensive knowledge and experience of how to build and maintain distribution networks, gained in an engineering role.
• You must have an extensive knowledge of the Distribution Safety Rules and operational policies and procedures.
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status (desirable)
• Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (desirable).
• Introduction to Trainer Skills - City & Guilds 7300 (desirable)
• A can-do mentality is essential to inject fresh thinking and new ideas for self- development in an evolving technological environment.
• Organisational Awareness
• Team working and Co-operation across both UKPN and the wider industry
• Customer Service Orientated
• Commitment to safety

Nature and Scope:

The Operational Accreditation and Competence Manager is an experienced operational engineer and leader with a understanding of the business from both an operational and consultative perspective.

Reporting to the Head of Technical Training and Assurance, the post holder is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery and governance of operational and craft accreditation and competence across UK Power Networks, working in close liaison with technical instructors, operational staff, senior management teams and key contractors/ICPs to ensure all candidates are trained, assessed and authorised to the required standards of safety, quality and customer service.

We ask that you be a knowledge of the Distribution Safety Rules and UK Power Networks' Operational Policy and Procedures, together with the capability to deliver key operational training and assessment where appropriate.

Success in the role depends on strong influencing and interpersonal skills with both internal and external stakeholders, a proactive, solutions-focused approach, and the ability to bring fresh thinking and innovation to operational competence in an evolving technological and regulatory environment.

It is expected the person will be proactive with a solutions-focused approach, and a commitment to continuous improvement, including the creation and implementation of digital strategies that modernise accreditation processes, enhance data visibility and make them more efficient and effective.

Health & Safety Responsibilities:

Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organisations. This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment.

Employees will ensure they understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and where there are legal requirements, employees will understand those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied.

If in doubt ask!

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Where applicable, this role is subject to safer recruitment processes and robust pre‑employment checks

If you have any queries in connection to this vacancy or your application, please contact us at careers@ukpowernetworks.co.uk quoting the vacancy reference number and a member of the team will get in touch with you as soon as possible.