Head of Innovation

Do you want to shape the innovation strategy of NGED and be part of the heart on innovation?

We are on the lookout for a visionary and results-driven Head of Innovation to lead the transformation of innovation at NGED! This exciting new role will be crucial in aligning innovation with our business priorities, accelerating delivery, and scaling high-impact solutions across our regions.

As you report to the Director of Strategy & Transformation, you will take the lead in crafting and executing our innovation strategy, embedding innovative practices into the business, and shaping NGED’s contribution to National Grid’s Group-wide innovation agenda. You will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, external partners, and the broader energy ecosystem to unlock value for our customers and deliver critical outcomes during RIIO-ED2 and beyond.

This high-profile position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact across NGED, National Grid, and the entire energy sector. We are looking for someone who is not only passionate about innovation but also eager to play a key role in the UK’s transition to net zero carbon.

This role can be based out of our Warwick, Bristol or Castle Donington office, and we’d hope to see you at least two days per week and there be travel required to other offices. We’re happy to discuss any additional flexibility in working patterns or requirements that you feel could help to make this job work for you!

Key Accountabilities

• Challenge the pace of innovation, recognising the urgency of our transformation and the need to fully leverage innovative solutions.
• Fully understand the innovation needs right across the business and prioritise where to focus innovation efforts.
• Provide thought leadership, influence, and hands on engagement to lead the successful development, deployment, and implementation of transformative innovation at NGED.
• Ensure clear plans and business case are developed for all innovation initiatives.
• Ensure that all innovation projects are delivered in a consistent and coherent way, that blockers are cleared, priority calls made, business cases created and delivered, progress measured and performance reported upon.
• Drive delivery of the innovation projects, overseeing reporting to external funders where appropriate.
• Horizon scanning – ensure that NGED is sufficiently up to date and aware of technologies which could have a material impact on business in the future.
• Establish, prioritise, and develop relationships with key players in the innovation value chain, including venture capital, incubators, universities, and strategic suppliers.
• Act as an ambassador of innovation for NGED, internally and externally.
• Raise the profile of innovation within NGED both internally (build executive and senior leadership relationships, collaborate with other teams, participate in case studies, etc.) and externally (speak on panels, participate in webinar, publish articles, etc.).
• Continuously improve the NGED innovation operating model to drive successful outcomes from innovation activities.
• Provide high quality innovation reporting for internal and external use to allow us to measure and share our successes and key learnings.
• Oversee governance, tracking and reporting to the Executive and Group on innovation progress, including managing the Innovation SteerCo. Liaise with other key governance boards.
• Define, establish and ensure adequate resourcing and funding to deliver innovation.
• Recruit, lead, and manage an experienced team of innovation professionals.
• Input into ED3 submission with regards to innovation.

What You'll Have

• Undergraduate degree in Business, Finance, or Engineering required.  Advanced degree / MBA an advantage.
• It would be desirable but not necessary to have experience in the energy or related sector and understanding of the regulatory, technology, and business issues impacting the industry and future trends,
• Proven experience working in innovation and emerging technologies programmes. Has setup and managed an innovation process and implemented innovation programmes
• A strong strategic thinker with the ability to see the big picture but also address shorter term more tactical issues. Strategic ability to be balanced by a strong understanding of the operational and commercial challenges faced by a business and the factors which can derail innovation efforts
• Highly technology literate with significant experience of understanding the business and strategic implications of technology change
• Experience with technology ecosystems, working with multiple stakeholders to develop and deploy innovation projects
• Experience in taking technological and business solutions from ideation to proof of concept to scaled rollouts to commercialisation
• Comfortable working in a matrix organization with multiple stakeholders and in an environment where results need to be achieved through influence rather than line management authority
• Demonstrates high level of EQ, as well as business IQ, knowing which tools to use in which circumstances
• Can effectively challenge entrenched thinking in a constructive manner; has a willingness and openness to receiving similar challenge.  Significant flexibility in personal style with the ability to comfortably act as a leader and a facilitator and the ability to effectively judge when each is required
• Ability to build and motivate a high performing team, deliver excellent performance, and manage a team to do the same with a strong focus on personal development and on the development of his/her team
• Interest and experience working in large organizations, enthusiastic and resilient about building an innovation programme

What You'll Get

Competitive Base Salary dependent on experience and comprehensive senior leader reward package.

Further Information

This is a hybrid working role from our either of our officies with circa 2 days in the office. The closing date for this vacancy is Midnight 13 August 25, with interviews due to take place w/c 25 August 25 onwards. We encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. National Grid’s recruitment periods can and may vary. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

About us

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business

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, and 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, the innovation from diverse teams & perspectives and business need. 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.

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