Strategy and Innovation Manager in Cardiff

We have an exciting opportunity for a Strategy and Innovation Manager to join our Distribution System Operator (DSO). National Grid’s DSO is responsible for planning and operating the smart and innovative electricity system of the future in the Midlands, South-West and South Wales, making sure we have the right network in place to serve our customers. The energy needs of customers across our region are changing, and the speed of change will only accelerate over the next decade. Our DSO is launching a bold new 10-year strategy that will transform the way we plan and operate our power distribution network and deliver value for our customers.

This role is part of the DSO’s Strategy, Innovation and Stakeholder (SIS) department, which supports the DSO’s Managing Director, the DSO Senior Leadership Team and various operational teams that make up the DSO. SIS collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop strategies and oversee projects that enhance the value that we create for our customers.

The Strategy & Innovation Manager role is an exciting opportunity for a capable strategist to help shape the future of our DSO. Working closely with the Head of the SIS department, they will manage the development and execution of strategy within the DSO, covering both our overarching DSO Strategy and underlying functional strategies, inclusive of research, innovation, digital and people. They will collaborate closely with colleagues from across National Grid Group and with external stakeholders to find opportunities for strategic solutions and innovations that improve the way we deliver for our customers.

This management-level role focuses on strategic leadership, upwards influencing, portfolio management, and management of virtual delivery teams, rather than being a line-management focused role. This is a hybrid role with a mix of home and office-based work, with offices located across the Midlands, South-West and South Wales. There will be some level of business travel expected between our London, Warwick, Bristol and East Midlands offices.

• Collaborate with NGED’s central Strategy Team and with National Grid Group’s Strategy Team to keep the DSO aligned to wider business priorities.
• Maintain and refresh the overarching DSO Strategy in response to changes to the macroeconomic, geopolitical, sectoral and National Grid corporate landscape.
• Support members of the DSO Senior Leadership Team to embed the DSO Strategy into their teams and to develop their own aligned departmental strategies.
• Communicate strategy to DSO Staff, National Grid Colleagues and external stakeholders to win support for our strategic positions.
• Support the Senior Leadership Team to develop the financial plans, delivery plans and workforce plans necessary to execute the strategy.
• Work closely with the DSO Performance & Panel Manager to set and monitor key results and performance indicators.

• Own emergent strategic problems faced by the DSO Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team, providing options and recommendations to address these.
• Identify opportunities for additional strategies or strategic interventions, and lead on developing and winning support for them.
• Initiate and direct innovation, change and digital projects to solve strategic problems and address strategic opportunities.
• Working closely with our Innovation Business Partner, oversee the portfolio of innovation and change projects taking place within the DSO, providing regular reports to DSO leadership.
• Own the innovation strategy for the DSO, using it as the basis to scope and launch new innovation projects, digital projects and change projects.
• Support other DSO teams to develop and execute innovation, change and digital projects, and to embed successfully validated solutions into their daily activities.

We’re looking for a strategic manager who can develop and deliver high‑quality strategy and who thrives in a collaborative, fast‑evolving environment. We welcome applicants with a variety of backgrounds and experiences - including those without direct energy sector experience.

Desirable experience that could help you succeed in this role includes:

• Developing strategy in an energy, utilities or regulated business context.
• Supporting strategy execution, including workforce, financial or delivery planning.
• Tackling strategic problems for senior management and/or executive leaders.
• Presenting and pitching to senior management or executive leaders, including developing high quality written and visual materials.
• Shaping corporate, commercial, programme, digital and/or innovation strategy.
• Working with energy innovation funding including governance, management and/or delivery.
• Engaging with complex customers and internal and external stakeholders.
• Managing innovation, change, portfolios, programmes or projects.
• Using a broad range of strategy tools, methodologies and frameworks.

National Grid Electricity Distribution is committed to safeguarding the interests of the Company, colleagues and customers. This role is subject to a satisfactory Barring Service (DBS) check, depending on the role different levels of screening and vetting are required. Some roles require a triannual check.

We’re National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the owner and operator behind the electricity distribution systems for the Midlands, the Southwest of England and South Wales. Serving communities of more than 8 million people, our expert teams deliver heat, light and power for homes and businesses. National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. We are building an inclusive workplace, a place to actively celebrate the cultures, personalities and preferences of our colleagues – who in turn help to build the success of our business and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources that are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand.