Director of Strategic Demand

About Us

The electricity network is undergoing its largest transformation in decades. National Grid at heart of the clean energy transition and economic growth agenda, with a key enabling role for ~30 GW of strategically important demand such as data centres and the UK Government’s AI Growth Zones (AIGZ).

Job Purpose

The Strategic Demand Director leads National Grid’s strategic demand and AIGZ agenda end-to-end, acting as the senior point of coordination between external stakeholders and internal National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) teams. Externally, the role shapes and influences the policy, regulatory, and stakeholder environment (including working with Government departments, customers, and industry bodies) to accelerate outcomes. Internally, the role convenes and coordinates across the ET business to align strategy, governance, prioritisation, and delivery, and provides executive-level insight, briefings, and recommendations to senior leaders—translating complex technical, regulatory and delivery issues into clear options, decisions, and measurable portfolio outcomes.

Key Accountabilities

• Set the strategic demand direction by defining outcomes, priorities and delivery pathways for high-impact demand (e.g., AI Growth Zones, data centres and other nationally significant loads), aligned to business strategy and wider system planning
• Build and sustain strategic relationships at a senior level with government departments, regulators, and industry stakeholders to influence AIGZ outcomes, policy decisions and secure alignment on strategic demand priorities
• Represent National Grid in high-profile industry and government forums such as the AI Energy Council and Grid Connections Working Group, driving action from these forums through cross-functional working groups in National Grid
• Lead senior external engagement and influence with Government departments, customer executives and industry bodies to shape policy, regulation and incentives that accelerate strategic demand connections
• Provide thought leadership and strategic briefings to senior executives and government officials, translating complex technical, regulatory and delivery issues and opportunities into clear, compelling insights and recommendations on strategic demand

Key Accountabilities Continued

• Lead the strategic development and execution of AI Growth Zones and associated connection delivery projects, ensuring timely and scalable grid connections for high-priority data centre developments, while actively managing customer and stakeholder expectations
• Shape and implement the strategic demand triage process, the Connections Acceleration Service and future government led initiatives, working closely with Government departments to pilot and scale fast-track connection models for strategic demand customers
• Integrate strategic demand into core industry processes related to energy planning, e.g., Strategic Spatial Energy Planning (SSEP) and Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP), and coordinate with NESO for a unified national transmission network development pathway
• Initiate, coordinate and deliver targeted interventions and special projects to unblock barriers, mitigate delivery challenges and maximise opportunities in meeting the strategic demand ambition
• Convene and coordinate policy and regulatory expertise across National Grid Group, co-ordinating inputs and building consensus on key policy issues and industry consultations on Strategic Demand
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to assess, trial and scale innovative connection products on Strategic Demand projects
• Shape locational strategy for demand connections, ensuring optimal siting relative to network capacity and planning constraints

Candidate Profile

• Significant experience leading complex, cross-functional programmes with multiple stakeholders, high uncertainty, and material reputational and delivery risk
• Knowledge and experience of leading change and driving best practice within a complex organisation
• Deep understanding of electricity transmission systems, grid connection processes, and regulatory frameworks
• Proven experience in leading strategic infrastructure programmes, ideally involving data centres, AI, or large-scale demand growth
• Strong policy acumen, with experience engaging with government departments and shaping national initiatives
• Appreciation of engineering decision-making and trade-offs involved, with an ability to communicate in simple terms to external stakeholders
• Familiarity with strategic energy planning initiatives and frameworks such as RESP, SSEP, and CSNP, and how strategic demand requirements are translated into planning assumptions and delivery pathways
• Experience in developing and implementing innovative connection products and commercial models
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with a track record of cross-sector collaboration
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, with the ability to translate complex technical issues into actionable policy and delivery plans
• Effective communicator, able to influence at senior levels and represent the organisation externally
• Experience in programme governance, risk management, and performance tracking
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in digital infrastructure, AI data centre, and energy systems

More Information

Location: the role will be based in Warwick, with the person on-site around 3 days per week on average.

Salary: competitive base salary plus commensurate benefits.

The role will close for applications on Tuesday 14th July 2026 at 23:59 BST.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates – we make appointments purely on merit, assessed against objective selection criteria. We support flexible working and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process should you have any physical or mental impairment which may affect your ability to participate in the process.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.