Innovation Director

About us

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 Innovation Director, and find your superpower.
 

National Grid is hiring a Innovation Director. This position can be based at either The Strand, London or Warwick, UK.

About The Role

Are you ready to lead the charge in transforming the energy landscape? National Grid is seeking a dynamic and visionary Innovation Director to join our Innovation and Venture Acceleration leadership team. This is your chance to drive disruptive and strategic innovation across our UK business, shaping the future of energy while delivering exceptional value to our customers.

As the Innovation Director, you will spearhead a portfolio of high-impact initiatives that align with our Group-wide innovation priorities and business transformation objectives. Your leadership will be pivotal in driving our innovation strategy, ensuring that we stay ahead in the energy transition by being adaptable and forward-thinking. You will operate at the intersection of strategy, technology, and delivery, championing a progressive innovation culture that breaks down silos and accelerates the adoption of new technologies.

What You'll Do

Strategic Leadership:

• Collaborate with the head of the Innovation Lab to shape and refine the innovation strategy, aligning it with Business Unit delivery plans and Group ambitions.
• Partner with Business Unit and Transformation leads to identify and prioritise innovation opportunities that deliver customer, system, and commercial value.
• Support innovation initiatives across National Grid’s regulated and unregulated businesses, advocating for best practices and developing compelling business cases to secure funding and senior sponsorship.

Delivery & Portfolio Oversight:

• Lead a portfolio of innovative projects from opportunity identification to scaled deployment, ensuring alignment with Group innovation frameworks.
• Own the innovation process, governance, and reporting for your team’s initiatives, while actively seeking external funding opportunities.
• Drive early-stage experimentation (MVPs, prototypes, trials) and facilitate the transition of successful initiatives into business-as-usual operations.

Team & Ecosystem Leadership:

• Manage, mentor, and empower a team of Innovation Managers, fostering a collaborative and psychologically safe environment.
• Act as an ambassador for innovation, representing National Grid in industry forums, regulatory discussions, and ecosystem collaborations.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with external innovators, including startups, suppliers, venture funds, and academic institutions.

About You

• Significant experience in innovation, product development, strategic transformation, or new business creation, preferably within the energy, infrastructure, technology, or related sectors.
• Proven track record in developing and delivering business cases at the executive or board level.
• Successful management of high-impact innovation initiatives from ideation through to delivery and scale-up.
• Familiarity with innovation and product development methodologies, including design thinking, agile, and lean startup.
• Experience leading high-performing, multidisciplinary teams across multiple time zones.
• In-depth understanding of the UK energy system, market trends, and regulatory landscape; international experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with regulators, investors, and external partners to unlock value and accelerate delivery.
• Entrepreneurship and experience in startup or early-stage companies are advantageous.

What You'll Get

• Competitive Salary: circa £94,000 - £105,000 per annum (dependent on location, capability, and experience).
• Bonus: Up to 20% of your salary for stretch performance
   

Additional benefits:
 

• Flexible benefits such as a cycle scheme, share incentive plan, technology schemes
• Ongoing career development and support to help you cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, course fees, books, examination fees and time off for study leave – so long as it is relevant to your role
• Access to apps such as digital GP service for round the clock access to GP video consultations and NHS repeat prescriptions, wellbeing app to support your health and fitness
• Access to Work + Family Space, providing support and resources for work and family life, including paid emergency childcare and eldercare

More Information

This role is offered on a Full-Time, Permanent basis. 
 
We are also offering hybrid /flexible working where travel to the office will be as per business need. Base location for this role will be The Strand, London or Warwick, UK.
 
This role closes on 4th August 2025; however, we strongly encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible, as we reserve the right to close the advert early.
 
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.