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Helen Charteris
Practice Director - Global Power & Energy
Permanent
Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, London,, United Kingdom
£110,000
Director – Protection & Control UK-Wide (Flexible / Hybrid) Permanent Executive-level package (commensurate with seniority)
embs. talent is partnering with a globally recognised engineering consultancy to appoint a Director of Protection & Control — the most senior P&C hire in their UK and Continental Europe operation. This is an executive-level role with full strategic ownership of a discipline that sits at the heart of the energy transition, spanning high-voltage AIS and GIS substations, transmission assets, HVDC interconnectors, and energy storage systems.
If you're a recognised authority in P&C engineering who is ready to define the direction of a major capability — not just deliver within it — this is the role.
Executive-level package: Commensurate with the seniority of the role, including private medical cover and enhanced parental leave
Strategic ownership: Full ownership to shape a discipline, not just manage it
Flexible working: Fully supported flexible and hybrid working across a range of UK office locations
Development & influence: Comprehensive professional development support within a business that genuinely values technical leadership at the highest level
Our client is seeking a Director of Protection & Control to take full strategic ownership of the discipline across the UK and Europe — defining direction, winning major work, and influencing standards at the highest level.
In this role you will define and lead the strategic direction of the P&C capability across the UK and Europe, providing executive leadership across FEED and detailed design workstreams for National Grid and DNO clients. You will oversee technical assurance, quality control, and delivery excellence across all P&C projects, lead major bids — owning technical strategy, resource alignment, and senior client engagement — and develop and maintain the strategic client relationships that drive business development and market positioning.
You will represent the business in industry bodies and forums, with direct influence on standards and best practice, and lead recruitment, succession planning, and long-term capability development across the discipline. You will also chair high-level design reviews, hazard reviews, and technical governance meetings, and ensure CDM compliance and the proactive management of technical risk at programme level.
Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate a degree in Electrical Engineering (BEng or MEng) and Chartered Engineer status (IET), together with National Grid CDAE status and TP141 Authorisation (Protection & Control), which is essential. You will bring 20+ years as a recognised authority in P&C engineering at high voltage (132kV–400kV), proven leadership across large-scale infrastructure programmes and multidisciplinary teams, and strong commercial acumen spanning bid strategy, client engagement, and business growth. Demonstrated success in building and developing high-performing engineering teams is essential, as is the gravitas and communication skill to influence at board, client, and industry level.
If you are a recognised authority in P&C ready to shape a discipline at executive level and believe you meet the illustrated criteria, please reach out directly to the team for a confidential conversation.
embs. talent is a specialist Power & Energy recruitment consultancy, founded in 2003, connecting the best talent across Transmission & Distribution, HV/EHV, substations, protection & control, renewables and data centre power — from Designer to CEO — throughout the UK, Ireland and the USA. Triple ISO certified, including ISO 42001 for AI management. This is a confidential search, and all enquiries are treated in strict confidence. We'll offer you expert support and advice throughout the process to ensure you select and secure a career-defining role.
Helen Charteris | Practice Director, Global Power & Energy | embs. talent — Connecting the best talent across Transmission & Distribution, HV/EHV, substations, protection & control, renewables and data centre power, from Designer to CEO. UK | Ireland | USA. helen@embstalent.co.uk 07512 540612. embs. talent — specialist Power & Energy recruitment consultancy, founded in 2003. Triple ISO certified, including ISO 42001 for AI management.
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