Diversity Equity Inclusion Business Partner (NY)

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 aim to create an environment where everyone is welcomed for who they are and where our differences are celebrated. We utilize the insights of our employees that come from all different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs to better serve our customers and communities.

National Grid is hiring a Diversty Equity Inclusion Business Partner (NY). This hyrid role can sit in either our Syrcuse NY, Albany NY, Melville NY or Brooklyn NY, location. 

Job Purpose

The DEI Partner will report to the Global Head of DEI with a line to the respective Chief People Officer. This role is embedded in and delivers dedicated advice, support and leadership to an assigned business unit (BU) or function (of varying size and geographic spread) on all DEI related issues.  This will involve the interpretation and translation of the Global DEI direction into a meaningful approach for their area of responsibility, tailoring it where necessary to suit specific business requirements.

Operationally and internally focused, the DEI Partner will work with the CPO, across the People team and with other stakeholders to coordinate and deliver initiatives and projects ensuring there is measurable impact on the BU’s DEI priorities.  The role combines providing advice, leadership and hands-on delivery, working closely with the HRBP's who, in turn, are responsible for cascading and influencing their business area.

The role is part of the DEI team and provides greater DEI connectivity within the business. Whilst the main focus is internal, the DEI Partner will balance effective delivery of BU DEI priorities alongside supporting the strategic organizational DEI priorities.  

Key Accountabilities

• Co-lead the creation of the BU/Functional DEI plan
• Define accountabilities and ownership of DEI plan activity in partnership with CPO
• Leverage and provide DEI insights from annual data sets (e.g Employee Engagement Survey, Leadership Index, etc.)
• Provide thought leadership/advice to CPO and People Partners on DEI related matters
• Lead on the delivery of high impact activity (based on size of audience/impact/seniority)
• Identify and develop relevant DEI upskilling/training/initiatives and deploy in partnership with BU People Team
• Create and oversee business DEI networks to cascade DEI work and provide DEI education
• Undertake regular site / operational visits ensuring a field first approach
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with relevant COEs to broaden the DEI reach – i.e. internal communications, property, recruitment, health and wellbeing
• Manage any allocated budget ensuring payments are processed efficiently
• Represent the BU / Function on enterprise-wide related DEI initiatives
• Communicate best practices and coordinate opportunities across the DEI Partner team; identify opportunities where a ‘country approach’ might be an efficient and effective solution
• Contribute (via DEI Ops team) to enterprise wide activities i.e. external benchmarking opportunities, awards and submissions agenda, business reporting such as Responsible Business Charter, Annual Report, Grid:Home content [note if the activity is only related to the BU or Function it should be delivered by the relevant DEI BP]
• Work with Global ERG Manager to ensure opportunities to increase ERG membership and elevate activity is leveraged across the BU 
• The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate delivery and robust experience in similar roles in organisations with operational teams, wide geographical spread

Qualifications

• Commitment and passion to Inclusion and Diversity
• Strong subject matter knowledge of DEI best practice
• Robust business knowledge and understanding of National Grid
• Ability to flex style and approach based on audience/stakeholders
• Adept at working with and influencing a range of stakeholders across the organization
• Ability to build and nurture trust-based relationship and networks across the business
• Experience of change management, implementing new ways of working
• Ability to think innovatively, work independently in changing environments
• Ability to deliver effectively through others/ delegation without authority
• Track record of thriving and delivering in fast paced environments
• Ability to focus on and deliver multiple/varied initiatives simultaneously
• Proven track record of project management; ability to plan, execute and communicate
• Adept at handling setbacks and bouncing back