Design Manager HV Substations

Position Description
The role of the Design Manager is to manage the design function in an area, ensuring the provision of safe network designs for work to be carried out by ESB staff and/or contractors as per work programs and to the standards as laid down by Asset Management. The existing design team will report to the Design Manager, who will be responsible for the full range of management duties of the Design team, i.e., allocating work, managing performance & budgets, providing feedback and ensuring the necessary development and communications take place. The successful candidate will also work with other design managers in the team to provide effective design delivery.

The Design Manager will be responsible for ensuring that all design work is completed in a timely manner and in the most economical fashion within ESB design standards and guidelines and ensuring that ESB Networks Customer Charter standards are adhered to. The Design Manager will also be responsible for reviewing existing design processes with a view to making any changes necessary to facilitate increased customer satisfaction in the face of a growing level of construction, renewables and reinforcement projects. Furthermore, the Design Manager will be expected to liaise closely with local authorities, large developers, major customers, landowners and other parties to ensure an excellent level of stakeholder management.

The role requires strong liaison with the respective Area Managers & Project Leaders, Supervisors and Programme Teams to ensure that designs are produced in a timely manner as identified as identified by the construction teams. The Design Manager shall ensure that the design function works closely with all the relevant construction teams to maintain and enhance the existing relationship between design and construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage design workload as agreed with the Senior Design Manager.
• Manage and lead the design team including providing feedback to the team and development of the team.
• Prioritise design work and allocate work as required to engineering officers / designers.
• Review design processes as required to ensure they deliver an excellent customer service whilst ensuring the relevant standards are maintained.
• Participate in the organisation and scheduling of work.
• Ensure the preparation of high-quality designs by providing technical support and assistance to the design team.
• Ensure designs major reinforcement and renewable projects are delivered in a timely manner as part of the capital delivery program.
• Ensure Customer Charter timelines are adhered to.
• Ensure As-Builts are returned in a timely manner.
• Gain and maintain an excellent knowledge of HV, MV and LV Electrical Networks across all Asset types (HV Stations, Protection Systems, Overhead Lines, Underground Cables).
• Preparation, verification and approval of designs, scopes, costs, design risk assessment and preliminary health & safety plans as required.
• Coordination of other resources involved in the design and scoping of works e.g. ecologists, archaeologists, asbestos surveyors, site investigations.
• Compliance with H&S Legislation and liaison with H&S Advisors.
• Fulfilling the role of PSDP Contact Person where required.
• Managing the delivery of designs through contractors as required.
• Ensure the liaison / negotiation is carried out, in line with ESB Policies, with local authorities, landowners and other parties to obtain the relevant consent prior to construction.
• Arranging cable easements and forestry easements as required.
• Applying for and processing road opening licences as required.
• Ensuring site acquisition and planning permission applications are completed as required.

Experience and Qualification

Essential

• Either a 3rd Level qualification or equivalent work experience is essential.
• Minimum of 7 years relevant experience is essential.
• Full clean EU driving licence. Travel is required for the role.
• Implements standards and policies to ensure optimum design.
• Knowledge of network assets; Sub-Station, Lines, Cables, Protection and Metering,
• Understands and applies the relevant approved Quality Management standards in ESB Networks.
• Good Communication and Interpersonal skills to facilitate both internal team building with own team, construction team and externally to Major Customers, Land Owners, Local Authorities.

Desirable

• Project Management.
• ESBN IT systems knowledge (e.g. IWM, G Net, E Plan).
• Design experience.
• Management experience.

Location
Location is flexible but a base within the same geographic region as the role is required. Regular travel to site and regional offices will be a feature of the role.

ESB is committed to smart working – combining digital tools with a culture of trust and empowerment to enable flexible ways of working. The successful candidate may work flexibly within their jurisdiction with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration on at least one anchor day per week. All smart working arrangements are subject to manager approval and ongoing review, based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the individual. 

Reporting to
Senior Design Manager, Delivery Assurance, Customer & Project Delivery North / South.

Why Work with Us? 

• Opportunity to lead Ireland’s transition to net zero carbon future 
• Career development through mentoring and training  
• Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities 
• Sports and Social Clubs 
• Networking opportunities 
• Credit Union 
• Generous Pension 
• Access to staff well-being programmes 
• Generous parental leave entitlements 
• Strong values-based and inclusive culture  
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion  
• Great team environment working to our Core Values: Courageous, Caring, Driven and Trusted

Salary
€71,000 – €84,000 per annum.

 
Closing Date
5th January 2025.

Your application will be held in reserve for 6 months should you be suitable for the role.