At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it’s so much more than that. National Grid supplies us with the environment to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don’t plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So, join us as an Optel Operations Manager, and find your superpower.

National Grid is hiring an Optel Operations Manager for our CNI Operational Networks team in Warwick. This is a hybrid role that requires you to be on-site with the team 1-2 days a week, and candidates must be eligible for Security Clearance.

The Optel Operations Manager will work in a small team that is responsible for the Optel network and Control Telephony System, which underpins the management and operation of the Electricity Transmission Network in England and Wales and the Operation of the GB Electricity System. The team is responsible for the technical and operational governance of 3rd party suppliers who support these systems under Managed Service Agreements.  

Key Accountabilities

The Optel Operations Manager will deliver 24x7 Production Support for the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) Optel network in the UK and provide technical guidance and governance of key projects delivering new capabilities to the Optel Networks. The role includes the following duties:

• Supplier performance management:  strive for operational excellence by driving suppliers to deliver continual performance improvements, chair service reviews, review incidents and negotiate service credits, and review disaster recovery plans and ensure they are regularly tested.  
• Audits:  provide supporting information for teams conducting cyber audits for compliance with the NIS Directive.  
• Incident management:  escalation of incidents to the supplier network management centre and/or supplier senior managers and liaison with the Control Rooms and 3rd party users, both within working day and out of hours.   
• Commercial management:  review and challenge the monthly invoices for the managed service, forecast annual spending, provide operational insight to commercial negotiations, and strive for operational and project savings.
• New Site Construction Projects:  providing technical advice and guidance to Capital Delivery teams on Operational Telecommunications requirements for new construction projects.  
• Asset health/equipment refresh:   Proactively review the health of all assets used in the network.  
• The individual will also be involved in major and minor projects delivering new capabilities to the OpTel network.  

About You

• Experience in managing and influencing outsourced services is highly desirable: setting direction, control and standards, ideally in operational network environments.  Ensuring that outsourced services and partners effectively deliver to very high standards.
• Strong knowledge of telecommunications technology and systems is highly desirable. e.g. SDH, MPLS, IP Networks.   Specific technical knowledge in the following products would be an advantage:  Ericsson OMS, ABB Foxmux, Adtran DWDM, Cisco Unified Communications Manager.
• Ability to Understand and interpret both security and external regulations that impact the operation and effective running of telecommunications networks. Experience in managing critical major incidents out of hours is also required for this role. This will be through participation in an out of hours rota.
• Ability to manage the resources required to run best-in-class network operations and apply network technology as an enabler for Business change.
• Note that the holder of this role will be security vetted in order to be considered suitable for the CNI nature of the role.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary between £60,000 – 75,000 – dependent on capability

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few. #LI-RL1 #LI-HYBRID

At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support at home and in the office.

Our goal is to drive, develop and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, innovation from diverse teams & perspectives and business needs. We are committed to building a workforce so we can represent the communities we serve and have a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.