Application Guide

How to Apply for Programme Manager: Grid, Utilities and Consents

at Fastned

🏢 About Fastned

Fastned is a mission-driven company accelerating the transition to electric mobility by building and operating a network of fast-charging stations powered by renewable energy. With a focus on customer experience and sustainability, Fastned offers a dynamic, fast-paced work environment where your contributions directly impact the fight against climate change.

About This Role

This role is critical to Fastned's UK expansion, managing the complex process of securing grid connections, utility diversions, highway consents, and landlord agreements. You'll own the critical path for a growing pipeline of charging station deployments, ensuring projects stay on schedule and within budget while mitigating risks and driving continuous improvement.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing the project pipeline status and updating risk registers, followed by a call with a DNO to expedite a grid connection. You might then meet with a local council to discuss highway consents, before mentoring a junior PM on contract negotiations. The afternoon could involve analyzing project budgets and preparing a progress report for senior management.

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🎯 Who Fastned Is Looking For

  • A seasoned project manager with 6+ years (ideally 8+) in construction/infrastructure project management, specifically in grid connections, utilities, and consents within the UK.
  • A strong negotiator with experience managing legal contracts and external consultants, comfortable navigating complex stakeholder landscapes including local authorities and utility companies.
  • Commercially savvy and analytical, able to make data-driven decisions to optimize project timelines and costs while maintaining quality.
  • An excellent communicator and mentor, capable of guiding junior team members and collaborating effectively with internal teams (e.g., real estate, engineering) and external partners.

📝 Tips for Applying to Fastned

1

Tailor your CV to highlight specific UK grid connection and consenting experience, including project values and timelines.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your experience with landlord agreements and highway consents, linking them to Fastned's deployment pipeline.

3

Quantify your achievements in managing risks and keeping projects on schedule, e.g., 'delivered 10+ grid connections on time despite regulatory delays'.

4

Showcase any experience with renewable energy or EV infrastructure projects to demonstrate alignment with Fastned's mission.

5

Prepare a brief example of a complex negotiation you led (e.g., with a utility company or landowner) and the outcome.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your passion for sustainability and how Fastned's mission aligns with your career goals.", "Detail your specific experience with grid connections, utility diversions, and highway consents in the UK, including regulatory bodies you've worked with.", 'Highlight your ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and your track record of meeting deadlines under pressure.', 'Mention your experience mentoring junior staff and driving process improvements, as these are key to the role.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study Fastned's current UK station locations and expansion plans (e.g., which regions are they targeting?).
  • → Understand the UK regulatory landscape for EV charging infrastructure, including the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and local planning authorities.
  • → Read Fastned's annual report or sustainability page to understand their growth targets and key performance indicators.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the typical grid connection process in the UK (e.g., DNOs, contestable vs. non-contestable works).

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through a time you managed a grid connection project from start to finish. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?
2 How do you prioritize tasks when multiple projects have conflicting deadlines? Give an example.
3 Describe a negotiation with a utility company or landowner that did not go as planned. How did you handle it?
4 What is your approach to risk management on large infrastructure projects? Provide a specific tool or method you use.
5 How would you mentor a junior project manager to improve their understanding of consents and utilities?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't mention Fastned or the specific role requirements.
  • Overlooking the importance of consents and landlord agreements; focus on grid connections alone is insufficient.
  • Failing to provide concrete examples of project management success, especially in grid/utilities/consents.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Fastned!

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