Innovation Director

Innovation Director

Full-Time 80000 - 120000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Dr Jobs

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative projects transforming the energy landscape and drive strategic initiatives.
  • Company: Join National Grid, a leader in energy transition, keeping society connected and moving forward.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, flexible benefits, and ongoing career development support.
  • Other info: This role offers hybrid working options and values diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of energy innovation, shaping the future while making a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Significant experience in innovation, product development, and strategic transformation is essential.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.

About us At National Grid we keep people connected and society moving. But its so much more than that. National Grid supplies us with the environment to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all we dont plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So join us as an Innovation Director and find your superpower.National Grid is hiring a Innovation Director. This position can be based at either The Strand London or Warwick UK.About The Role Are you ready to lead the charge in transforming the energy landscape National Grid is seeking a dynamic and visionary Innovation Director to join our Innovation and Venture Acceleration leadership team. This is your chance to drive disruptive and strategic innovation across our UK business shaping the future of energy while delivering exceptional value to our customers.As the Innovation Director you will spearhead a portfolio of high-impact initiatives that align with our Group-wide innovation priorities and business transformation objectives. Your leadership will be pivotal in driving our innovation strategy ensuring that we stay ahead in the energy transition by being adaptable and forward-thinking. You will operate at the intersection of strategy technology and delivery championing a progressive innovation culture that breaks down silos and accelerates the adoption of new technologies.What Youll Do Strategic Leadership:Collaborate with the head of the Innovation Lab to shape and refine the innovation strategy aligning it with Business Unit delivery plans and Group ambitions.Partner with Business Unit and Transformation leads to identify and prioritise innovation opportunities that deliver customer system and commercial value.Support innovation initiatives across National Grids regulated and unregulated businesses advocating for best practices and developing compelling business cases to secure funding and senior sponsorship.Delivery & Portfolio Oversight:Lead a portfolio of innovative projects from opportunity identification to scaled deployment ensuring alignment with Group innovation frameworks.Own the innovation process governance and reporting for your teams initiatives while actively seeking external funding opportunities.Drive early-stage experimentation (MVPs prototypes trials) and facilitate the transition of successful initiatives into business-as-usual operations.Team & Ecosystem Leadership:Manage mentor and empower a team of Innovation Managers fostering a collaborative and psychologically safe environment.Act as an ambassador for innovation representing National Grid in industry forums regulatory discussions and ecosystem collaborations.Build and maintain strong partnerships with external innovators including startups suppliers venture funds and academic institutions.About You Significant experience in innovation product development strategic transformation or new business creation preferably within the energy infrastructure technology or related sectors.Proven track record in developing and delivering business cases at the executive or board level.Successful management of high-impact innovation initiatives from ideation through to delivery and scale-up.Familiarity with innovation and product development methodologies including design thinking agile and lean startup.Experience leading high-performing multidisciplinary teams across multiple time zones.In-depth understanding of the UK energy system market trends and regulatory landscape; international experience is a plus.Demonstrated ability to engage with regulators investors and external partners to unlock value and accelerate delivery.Entrepreneurship and experience in startup or early-stage companies are advantageous.What Youll Get Competitive Salary: circa 94000 - 105000 per annum (dependent on location capability and experience).Bonus: On target at 20% of your salary. 40% for stretch performanceAdditional benefits:Flexible benefits such as a cycle scheme share incentive plan technology schemesOngoing career development and support to help you cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions course fees books examination fees and time off for study leave so long as it is relevant to your roleAccess to apps such as digital GP service for round the clock access to GP video consultations and NHS repeat prescriptions wellbeing app to support your health and fitnessAccess to Work Family Space providing support and resources for work and family life including paid emergency childcare and eldercareMore Information This role is offered on a Full-Time Permanent basis.We are also offering hybrid /flexible working where travel to the office will be as per business need. Base location for this role will be The Strand London or Warwick UK.This role closes on 4th August 2025; however we strongly encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible as we reserve the right to close the advert early.#LI-NH2Diversity Equity and Inclusion National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent knowledge experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities women individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.Required Experience:Director Key Skills Fundraising,Management Experience,Coaching,Analysis Skills,Strategic Planning,Team Management,Budgeting,Leadership Experience,Mentoring,Public Speaking,negotiation,Supervising Experience Employment Type : Full-Time Experience: years Vacancy: 1 Yearly Salary Salary: 94000 - 105000

Innovation Director employer: Dr Jobs

At National Grid, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and inclusivity. With a competitive salary and flexible benefits, including ongoing career development and access to health resources, we foster a collaborative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. Join us in London or Warwick, where you can lead transformative initiatives in the energy sector while enjoying a supportive environment that values diversity and personal growth.

Dr Jobs

Contact Details:

Dr Jobs Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Innovation Director

Leverage Innovation Hubs

Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!

Showcase Your Projects

Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like Dr Jobs.

Connect at Industry Conferences

Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.

Use Your University’s Resources

If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like Dr Jobs.

We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Director

Strategic Leadership
Innovation Management
Business Case Development
Project Management
Agile Methodologies
Design Thinking
Team Leadership

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.

Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at Dr Jobs that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.

Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at Dr Jobs and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!

Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.

How to prepare for a job interview at Dr Jobs

Show Off Your Innovative Thinking

In an Innovation R&D Management role at Dr Jobs, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.

Familiarity with Tools and Technologies

Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show Dr Jobs that you’re ready to hit the ground running.

Demonstrate Collaboration Skills

Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At Dr Jobs, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.