Advisor - Whole Systems & Networks

Overview

Energy Systems Catapult is an independent research and technology organisation. Our mission is to accelerate Net Zero energy innovation.

Launched in 2015 by Innovate UK, the Catapult has built a team of more than 250 people, with a range of technical, engineering, consumer, commercial, incubation, digital and policy expertise. They draw on sector-leading test facilities, modelling tools, and data collected from our back catalogue of more than 500 research projects.

We use that ‘whole energy’ system capability to support innovative companies — small and large – to test, trial and scale their new products and services. Our impact comes when those innovators attract new customers, new investment and new grants so they can thrive in the future energy system.

Based in Birmingham, Energy Systems Catapult is part of a network of nine, world-leading technology and innovation centres, established by Innovate UK. The Catapult Network fosters collaboration between industry, government, research organisations, academia, and many others to transform great ideas into valuable products and services.

We believe that innovation often stems from connecting different areas and ideas, and that working together in person can be an important enabler for that. We therefore expect people to be in the Birmingham office ~40 days/year (roughly one day per week).

The Opportunity

The Whole Systems and Networks (WS&N) Platform at Energy Systems Catapult is seeking a dynamic and experienced Advisor to lead our business development work in relation to electricity and gas networks, resilience, and whole systems analysis and innovation.

Please note that specific experience in electricity and gas networks, resilience and whole systems analysis is desirable for this role but is not a requirement. We are seeking an individual with an understanding of the energy system and the competencies and attitude to shape and deliver high innovation projects, with the support of an expert team.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the cutting edge of the energy transition alongside sector-leading experts. You will be at the heart of shaping the future energy system—analytically, commercially, and strategically—by contributing to the development of innovative, cross-sector solutions and identifying how the Catapult can support innovators and SME’s to deliver transformation change.

As part of the WS&N Platform, you will play a pivotal role in engaging with the market, identifying client needs, and co-developing strategies that address critical whole systems challenges across transport, networks, heat, electricity generation, and retail. You’ll collaborate closely with our Platforms and Capabilities Teams to translate complex analytical questions into tangible, high-impact innovation projects.

Business Development & Strategy

• Support and lead engagement in building strong influential relationships with new clients, relevant energy stakeholders and colleagues across the Catapult.
• Secure new innovation business opportunities in the UK, promoting the Catapult\’s offerings that deliver impact and change for the future energy system.
• Work across wider internal teams to create joint innovation offerings for existing and new clients, this includes developing propositions to support key UK institutions, networks, innovators and SMEs.
• Working collaboratively across internal teams to lead bid/proposal preparation aligning the Catapult’s Capability areas and partners to project needs and client expectations.
• Support and occasionally lead the development of strategy, understanding what the Catapult’s role is in delivering impact and change to create the future energy system
• Support and occasionally lead the development of offerings and value-propositions that align with the team strategy and support SMEs. Prioritise activity and alignment with commercial and strategic positions in the market.
• Support the growth of the Catapult’s portfolio of innovation activities across electricity and gas networks, whole systems thinking, and resilience.
• Build sector insight to drive innovation (in technical scope and delivery techniques) across our Whole Systems and Networks projects.

Delivering impact, managing projects and delivering work to clients

• Support and occasionally lead the successful development and delivery of multiple externally funded projects at one time, managing relationships with any third parties. This will involve ensuring successful scoping, contract negotiation, understanding of customer needs and requirements, effective resource and budget management, client satisfaction and quality assurance.
• Contribute towards wider strategies for future work and follow-on impacts, including consistently considering opportunities for UK innovators/innovation, and managing key stakeholder relationships during project delivery.
• Support quality assurance of outputs and insights being reported/presented to stakeholders.
• Apply a clear commercial awareness across activities, including directing engagements with clients, to ensure impact is maximised within available resources; and opportunities for follow-on work are identified.
• Identify innovation needs and develop innovation projects that deliver impact for the future energy system.

What credentials are we ideally looking for?

Qualifications, Experience and Competency:

• Desirable for the candidate to have a strong consultancy experience with both public and private sector clients.
• Ability to prioritise activity based on impact and commercial value as well as helping to influence strategic direction and corresponding activity. Maintains a positive, solution-oriented attitude when managing competing priorities.
• Proven track record in identifying, securing and delivering new opportunities, from lead generation and proposal preparation through to project delivery, with a focus on consultative selling approaches. Energy sector expertise and understanding of the innovation landscape.
• Desirable experience of whole energy systems thinking, electricity and/or gas networks, energy system resilience and innovation projects or innovation project management.
• Experience or familiarity with whole systems analysis and innovation, energy policy design, and/or analysis of resilience is desirable.
• An understanding of public funding processes and experience of bid/proposal application preparation with an ability to structure and write winning bids and proposals that clearly articulate the Catapult’s value propositions, meet client requirements, and comply with any requirements set out in the tender documents or innovation fund.
• Strong commercial and project delivery background.
• Ability to produce high quality outputs, proposals and reports.
• Ability to translate and interpret complexity into a digestible form for non-experts.
• Track record as a good communicator, able to write well, present and facilitate workshops effectively.
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced organisational environment.
• A can-do attitude, able to work with limited supervision under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Persuasive and approachable, you can successfully manage relations with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and ability to work effectively in line with changing priorities
• Educated to degree level or equivalent.

Behaviours and attitude

• Self-motivated, purpose-led, impact-driven and who both enjoys and is effective working in a collaborative environment.
• Can demonstrate the ability to plan, coordinate, and deliver high-quality bids and proposals under tight deadlines.
• Approaches tasks across business development and project delivery with a sense of ownership and pace.