Chief of Staff to Chief Technology and Innovation Officer

The Opportunity

The Chief of Staff role is an integral role in the Tech & Innovation leadership team – done well it ensures the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer and executive team are working as effectively as they can; whether that’s improving our processes, developing and challenging our ways of working, or supporting our governance and delivering on key projects. This unique role is fast paced, varied and a fantastic opportunity to work across all areas of the newly established Tech & Innovation function, including IT & Digital, National Grid Partners, Innovation and Asset Management, to deliver our priorities in line with our principles.

This role requires someone who has real comfort with ambiguity; is open to change; can build a network across all levels of the team; and can work to tight deadlines. Alongside this you will need a sound knowledge of how these teams work today; familiarity with innovation processes, agile ways of working, product ownership models and a preference for modern digital workflows, including AI, would be a significant advantage; have the curiosity and imagination to anticipate the future challenges and opportunities for the function; be a big picture thinker to help identify our response to these; and be a strong communicator to help drive change across different areas and levels of the organization.

This is an excellent opportunity to be exposed to executive decision making, strategic planning and execution, organizational leadership and problem solving at scale. Success in this role will mean you have contributed to, and demonstrated, delivery of results across a Function, which will accelerate personal growth and development. Being clear about why you are interested and how you think it could support your career are important.

This opportunity is open to talent across all National Grid locations.

What You'll Do

The Chief of Staff role provides an opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of the newly established Tech & Innovation function, working as a critical part of the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer’s executive team.

To support, enable and provide trusted advice to the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer in the fulfilment of their executive duties – including activities across IT & Digital, National Grid Partners, Innovation and Asset Management, and in support of the CTIO’s wider Group remit. This includes strategic reporting, planning, governance and preparation for external engagement, PLC Board and Group Executive.

To drive and facilitate, on behalf of the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, the processes and organization behind critical cross-functional initiatives and projects that support the National Grid Strategy House “big shift” of Technology and Innovation: building technology capabilities that enable all teams to step up performance, while bringing a digital-first approach.

This role advises and facilitates the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer in all activities that deliver against Tech & Innovation priorities including: 
• With the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, maintain the operational rhythm of the function, ensuring alignment with our strategic direction and operational objectives
• Act as an advisor and trusted confidant for the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer and the wider executive team
• Role model and champion the adoption of digital workflows and modern ways of working, including the use of AI-enabled tools where appropriate, to improve pace, efficiency and collaboration across the function.
• Provide support to the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer in the preparation and writing of critical Board papers and other key stakeholder communications – including the preparation of speeches and briefing material
• Drive and coordinate critical projects, initiatives, and cross-functional work ensuring progress towards operating and business development activities
• Ensure the effectiveness of the Tech & Innovation executive, building a cohesive and effective executive team that in turn, builds trust across the organization
• Manage key governance architecture, define and deliver meeting structure, cadence and agendas for the Tech & Innovation executive
• Utilize knowledge and understanding of operational policies and procedures to create, compose and edit executive documentation
• Organize incoming requests / tasks, handle what you can, delegate and coordinate responses in other circumstances – where necessary advise the CTIO and executive on approach and actions to take
• Research, gather and compile data and information to create insight for the Tech & Innovation executive
• Capture, prioritize, and interpret extremely high volumes of information, arriving across multiple channels
• Lead on the messaging and coordination of material for internal meetings including monthly meetings, and quarterly offsites
• Lead on the collation of papers for governance committees, acting as a filter and working with the team on submissions, to maximize the impact of discussions
• Act as a central point of liaison with other Business Units, Functions and external stakeholders to ensure shared understanding and expectations in addition to solving challenges
• Develop the content and key messages for external events, coordinating with Corporate Affairs and SMEs where relevant, to ensure the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer is fully prepared
• Ensure complaints are managed and resolved in a timely way

About You

• Understands the Tech & Innovation function and the energy sector in terms of structure, regulatory environment and the short- and long-term issues affecting the industry
• Has a continuous improvement mindset – operating and behaving in a way in line with our Tech & Innovation principles
• Ability to apply an understanding of the operational and commercial challenges facing the business to support critical decision making
• A strong track record of delivery, performance and continuous improvement is essential, given the multi-faceted and challenging nature of this role
• Strong networking, stakeholder management and influencing skills, demonstrated through a track record in current or previous roles
• Excellent written and communication skills, ability to structure key messages
• Pragmatic self-starter, strong critical reasoning skills, problem solving and big picture thinking
• Openness and flexibility to change, the ability to work to tight deadlines, and comfortable with ambiguity
• Strategic mindset with the ability to join the dots, connecting ideas and individuals to promote the overarching objectives of Tech & Innovation
• Ability to build and execute short-and long-term business plans and strategies
• Ability to think in a structured way and sift through complexity to create clarity

Your Rewards

Alongside a competitive base salary, you'll benefit from a standout reward package - including a company car or allowance, up to 40% performance bonus, and a generous pension scheme with double-matched contributions up to 6% of your salary. You'll also have access to flexible holiday, wellbeing and family support, and matched charitable giving - so you can perform at your best, in and out of work.