Social Impact Business Partner, ED

About us

At National Grid, our commitment to a cleaner, greener energy future is powered by the dedication and ingenuity of our people. Join our team as a Manager, Corporate Citizenship and be a part of something bigger—where your unique skills and passions can make a real difference. Together, we are superpowered.

This role is hybrid so you can enjoy working from home and our office in Castle Donington Herald Way or Warwick, UK. We’d hope to see you in the office three days a week, and you’re welcome to come in more often if that works best for you.

Job purpose

The Social Impact & Community Investment team, part of the Social Impact and Community Engagement (SICE), Center of Excellence under the Global Corporate Affairs function, plays a key role in supporting the Electricity Distribution Business (NGED). This role sits within SICE and works closely with the Electricity Distribution Corporate Affairs function to ensure alignment and delivery of shared objectives.

The Social Impact Business Partner, ED is responsible for the delivery of key regulatory commitments assigned to the Electricity Distribution Corporate Affairs team, ensuring these are met effectively and transparently to ensure National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) is recognised as a responsible and valued corporate citizen.

This includes managing programmes that support community wellbeing, delivering on Social Contract obligations, and supporting the successful implementation of the customer vulnerability strategy. The role is central to building trust and long-term relationships with communities, ensuring their needs and voices are reflected in the company’s approach to social impact.

What you'll do

• Accountable for the ongoing review, development, and reporting of NGED’s Social Contract.
• Responsible for aligning NGED’s social contract and broader community engagement work with the National Grid Responsible Business Charter and Social Impact and Community Engagement strategic focus areas, ensuring values are aligned and all programmes are achieving maximum benefit across the NGED region.
• Ensure the regular and accurate reporting of all responsible business metrics, feeding into the monthly business review, annual report and other regulatory reporting requirements.
• Constantly seek out innovative approaches to community engagement, positioning NGED as a leading community business in the regions we serve and maximising the impact of our community interventions.
• Lead the Community Engagement Team, bringing social contract, education & STEM, and volunteering & sponsorships together into one area and developing a combined strategy to maximise the impact of these activities.
• Carry out strategic review of NGED’s education approach and support the Education & STEM manager to adopt a more strategic approach that focusses on the energy skills of the future, EDI and STEM as well as existing safety messaging.
• Identify opportunities to leverage Social Impact & Community Investment (SICE) Jobs and Skills programmes across NGED’s regions to scale reach and maximise community benefit.
• Accountable for the ongoing development and growth of the company’s sponsorship, charitable giving and Community Matters funds, providing strategic guidance to the Volunteering and Sponsorship Coordinator as they administer and deliver the funds on behalf of the business.
• Securing buy-in and support from leaders across NGED for community engagement work, promoting opportunities for teams to become involved in initiatives and driving volunteering numbers across the business.
• Represent NGED in group discussions on community engagement, education and volunteering as well as bring NGED’s representative on issues relating to the Responsible Business Charter.
• Represent NGED externally at community and stakeholder events, promoting the company’s approach to community engagement and solidifying our reputation as a leading responsible business in the region. Own the company’s awards strategy, identifying relevant awards that align to our values and strategic priorities and working with teams across Corporate Affairs and the wider business to ensure entries are drafted and submitted.
• Work with People and Culture to understand the EDI targets of the business and align with the work of the community engagement team, supporting the business to deliver a diverse, inclusive and representative workforce of the future.

What you'll have

· Proven experience in program management, social impact initiatives, preferably within the energy or utilities sector

· Strong understanding of regional stakeholder networks within the NGED operational area.

· Demonstrable experience delivering high quality and effective community engagement activities

· Understanding of regulated industry or infrastructure, as well as the important relationship between industry, regulators, government, and other stakeholders.

· Ability to build strong and effective networks, influencing and negotiation at the highest level internally and externally.

· Experience designing and delivering engagement campaigns and public consultations, gathering insights and using them to shape company strategy.

· Experience in using different communications channels and tactics to achieve positive outcomes

· Strong track record of successfully communicating complex policy solutions in a clear and concise manner to multiple audiences

· Experience of working with and influencing key internal stakeholders in a large, complex organisations, working in a collaborative manner to reach shared objectives.

· Able to prioritise and manage competing issues, working with and through others – maintaining high and consistent standards and alignment, working at pace and with minimal guidance.

· Ability to communicate to a high level, highly articulate and a determined and proactive leader and influencer. High quality, clear and concise written communications.

· Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess program effectiveness and make data-driven decisions

· Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills, capable of managing multiple priorities and deadlines

What you'll get

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for everyone. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.