At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects to transform electricity networks and manage diverse research initiatives.
- Company: Join National Grid Electricity Distribution, a leader in sustainable energy solutions.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of energy while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or significant experience in project management required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Location Location to be agreed with the successful candidate
We have an exciting opportunity for three Innovation Project Managers/Engineers to join our Innovation team.
The Innovation Team leads a diverse portfolio of research, development, and capability‑scale‑up projects designed to transform how we operate and manage our electricity network.
Through this work, we develop the knowledge, skills, technologies and commercial processes NGED will need to be ready for the future.
We are looking for someone who is motivated to build the capabilities that electricity networks will rely on in the years ahead and who strives for excellence in all aspects of their work.
The role can be based in any NGED location and requires a willingness to travel to various sites as needed.
We offer hybrid working, with attendance at the office expected 1-2 days per week.
Please note that there will be occasions where you will be required to spend more time away from home—such as attending site visits, events or conferences—depending on the needs of the projects you are supporting.
- Main Responsibilities
- Planning, development and delivery of innovation and roll out projects of all sizes and scopes.
- Management of research, development and capability roll out projects in accordance with Ofgem governance and NGED policies.
- Assisting colleagues in various internal NGED teams to develop, trial, disseminate and adopt relevant solutions.
- Leading the application for funding from Ofgem innovation incentive schemes and other sources across all sizes of bid.
- Representing NGED at national level in ENA, Ofgem and Government department meetings.
- Developing and reviewing NGED policies relating to innovation to maintain legal and regulatory compliance.
- Detailed reporting of projects and proposals in accordance with regulatory requirements.
This includes compliance with Regulatory Guidance, preparation of detailed project plans and cost benefit analyses, progress and cost control monitoring and regulatory reporting.
- Mentoring and coaching other staff members.
- Ideal Candidate
To be successful in this role, you will bring a strong project management and technical foundation alongside the mindset and aptitude needed to help shape the capabilities of the future.
Essential skills and experience
- A degree in an engineering or technical discipline (preferred), or significant experience in distribution network investment or operations supported by a BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Engineering or technical equivalent.
- Significant track record of managing complex projects with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience of developing and delivering projects under the NIA and SIF framework (not essential)
- A solid understanding of UK electricity transmission and distribution assets, associated procedures, safety requirements, performance drivers, cost considerations and relevant legislation.
- Excellent organisational, planning and prioritisation abilities, with the resilience to work under pressure and deliver on time.
- Willingness and ability to travel across all four of the company’s four licence areas.
- A full UK driving licence.
- Aptitudes that will help you succeed
As part of a team focused on innovation development, you’ll also need the drive and potential to:
- Develop detailed project plans for research and development initiatives, managing uncertainty and risk in areas where tasks may be entirely new.
- Create robust project plans for business‑wide capability rollouts.
- Prepare cost–benefit assessments to support funding and investment decisions.
- Monitor project progress effectively, ensuring delivery against objectives and taking proactive steps to mitigate risks.
- Critically evaluate emerging technologies and methods, ensuring alignment with both strategic priorities and operational needs .#LI-HYBRID #LI-SC1
About Us
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Innovation Project Manager / Engineer employer: National Grid
At National Grid, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With competitive salaries, generous bonuses, and a robust pension scheme, we ensure our employees are well rewarded for their contributions. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion, along with flexible working arrangements, empowers our team members to thrive both personally and professionally in the heart of the UK's energy sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Project Manager / Engineer
✨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 National Grid.
✨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 National Grid.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Project Manager / Engineer
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 National Grid 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 National Grid 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 National Grid
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at National Grid, 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 National Grid 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 National Grid, 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.
