Head of Flexibility & Grid Innovation

Architect of the Universal Exchange Layer for the Energy Grid London, UK | Full-time | Hybrid (3+ days in office)

ABOUT ZEAL

ZEAL is building Open Banking for the Energy Grid - the universal exchange layer connecting DNOs, NESO, grid operators, and thousands of energy assets (data centres, C&I, BESS) into a single unified platform. Just as Open Banking standardised a data access layer that unlocked FinTech at scale, ZEAL is building the equivalent for C&I and data centre flexibility - simulation, modelling, and live environment for grid flexibility.

• See the Grid - standardise legacy DNO data into a secure, queryable interface and APIs.
• Model Possibilities - sandbox simulations: test connections, capacity, and flex options.
• Price the Connection - from estimate to bankable flexible quote, turning years into weeks.

Our mission: democratise the energy future - abundant, intelligent, and open to all.

THE PROBLEM

A UK-starting problem. A global one in waiting.

• Connection Queue: 700+ GW pre‑reform to 283 GW post‑reform.
• Lead Times: 5‑10 years to connect a data centre.
• Utilisation Gap: 65‑80% of contracted grid capacity sits idle.

The bottleneck is not power. It is information.

THE ROLE

As Head of Flexibility & Grid Innovation, you will join the Leadership Team and lead ZEAL’s energy systems strategy, regulator and network‑operator engagement, and the energy logic of the platform. You will translate ZEAL’s mission into deeply credible energy‑domain execution - building the network and operator relationships, the data architecture, and the modelling logic that turn ZEAL’s platform thesis into a credible, deliverable, regulator‑grade product.

WHAT YOU WILL OWN

• Energy Systems & Platform Logic (40%)
  • Own ZEAL’s grid‑data architecture: how DNO and NESO data, asset telemetry, and constraint data feed the simulation environment and pricing layer.
  • Define and stress‑test the energy‑domain logic: load profiles, headroom calculations, constraint modelling, connection‑offer simulation, flexibility valuation.
  • Work hand‑in‑hand with the CTO and Head of AI/ML to translate energy‑domain logic into shippable engineering specifications.
  • Translate Connections Reform, RIIO‑ED3, MHHS, and Ofgem flexibility incentive direction into product decisions and platform priorities.
  • Hire and lead the UK energy‑systems team post‑Seed.
• Pilot Delivery & Innovation Projects (30%)
  • Lead delivery of ZEAL’s flagship NIA pilot project end‑to‑end, in partnership with DNOs, NESO, and data‑centre operators (e.g. Kao Data).
  • Own ZEAL’s NIA, SIF, UKRI and innovation grant pipeline.
  • Run sprint cadence and stakeholder workshops with DNO, NESO, regulator, and pilot data‑centre operator teams.
  • Deliver decision‑grade outputs at each milestone: indicative connection offers, business cases, Flexibility Passports, methodology assurance.
  • Convert pilot deliverables into product capability and replicable methodology.
• Regulator & Operator Engagement (30%)
  • Build and own senior technical and operational relationships with DNOs, NESO, Ofgem, and the wider UK energy innovation ecosystem.
  • Act as the senior energy‑domain authority across DNO, NESO, regulator, and data‑centre conversations.
  • Anchor Tier‑1 data‑centre operator relationships on the technical‑integration side - operators such as Kao Data, Equinix, Digital Realty, and Vantage.
  • Drive ZEAL’s positioning into RIIO‑ED3 business plans, SIF rounds, and Ofgem flexibility incentive consultations.
  • Represent ZEAL at sector forums - Future Networks, LCP Delta, All‑Energy, NESO industry sessions, and DCD events.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

You are a senior energy‑systems leader with deep credibility inside the UK DNO and NESO ecosystem and the data‑centre industry. You think in network constraints, regulatory direction, and operator economics - and you have shipped real outcomes inside large, regulated, multi‑stakeholder organisations. You have built and led at the intersection of DNO/NESO network operations, regulatory strategy, and large‑load (data centre, C&I) operator engagement. Operator‑side expertise across both sides of the grid - network and demand - is essential.

CORE CAPABILITIES

• Deep working knowledge of UK distribution and transmission network operation - constraint management, headroom analysis, connection processes, flexibility procurement.
• Direct hands‑on experience with at least one of: load forecasting, grid simulation, demand‑response, flexibility trading, constraint management, or Virtual Power Plant (VPP) aggregation.
• Fluency with UK regulatory direction: Connections Reform, MHHS, RIIO‑ED3, Balancing Settlement Code (BSC), Ofgem flexibility incentives, and NESO/UKRI innovation frameworks (Big Idea / SIF / NIA).
• Working understanding of large‑load data‑centre architecture: BMS, SCADA, DCIM, UPS, thermal capacity, uptime SLAs.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

• Senior role inside UKPN, SSEN, NGED, Northern Powergrid, ENWL, SPEN, NESO, Elexon, or Ofgem.
• Owned flexibility procurement, network strategy, connections design, demand connections, settlement processes, VPP aggregation, or innovation delivery (NIC / NIA / SIF) as day‑job work.
• Active participation in industry working groups on Connections Reform, MHHS, Balancing Settlement Code (BSC) modifications, RIIO‑ED3, or NESO Future Networks.
• Senior energy, site operations, infrastructure, or engineering role at a Tier‑1 hyperscale or colo data centre (Kao Data, Equinix, Digital Realty, Vantage, or equivalent) - or hands‑on senior engagement with multiple such operators on connections and power strategy.
• Familiar with the procurement and decision‑making logic inside a data‑centre operator.
• Understands uptime SLAs and the commercial reality of asking a large operator to curtail or contribute flexibility.

Track record - most of the following:

• Led delivery of a multi‑stakeholder energy/grid project from kick‑off through assured outcome.
• Designed or co‑designed a non‑firm or flexible connection offer with a DNO connections or commercial team.
• Translated network constraints into modelled outcomes credible to network engineers and operations leaders.
• Owned the regulator relationship on a senior technical issue and brought it to a clear outcome.
• Made a hard call on technical approach where short‑term simplicity was traded for long‑term defensibility, and was proven right.

Strong signals (any of):

• Co‑led or led a published NIC, NIA, SIF, or UKRI‑funded project.
• Open submissions, contributions, or technical input to NESO, Ofgem, RIIO‑ED3 or DESNZ consultations on flexibility, connections, or network strategy.
• Cross‑jurisdiction exposure - UK plus at least one of US, EU, UAE, Japan, AU - on network architecture or large‑load connections.
• Founding team or executive experience at an energy tech, grid tech, or DC‑flexibility platform company.

STRATEGIC IMPACT

You will build the energy‑domain credibility that makes ZEAL the universal exchange layer between DNOs and energy assets. You will co‑architect the data and modelling logic that turns ZEAL’s platform thesis into priced, deliverable products. You will set the energy‑domain blueprint that takes ZEAL from the UK to the UAE, Japan, Australia, and the US - and position ZEAL as the energy‑systems counterparty trusted across the regulated grid ecosystem.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• DNO Engagement: Active relationships with multiple UK DNOs; DNO data integration architecture adopted across the platform; direct influence into the regulatory direction of travel.
• Data Centre Operators: Tier‑1 relationships anchored on the technical‑integration side; multiple data‑centre sites onboarded with verified Flexibility Passports.
• NIA Project Delivery: Flagship NIA pilot delivered end‑to‑end with independent industry assurance; innovation pipeline (NIA, SIF, UKRI) converting grant delivery into product capability.
• Connection Acceleration: Indicative connection offers co‑designed with DNO connections teams; multi‑year connection lead times reduced through ZEAL’s methodology.
• Flexibility Revenue: First Flexibility Passport monetised through DSO and balancing market participation; flexibility revenue stack established across data‑centre and C&I operators.

COMPENSATION

Competitive package - base salary, significant equity options, and step‑ups at Pre‑Seed and Seed close. Leadership Team seat with joint sign‑off on product, energy strategy, and roadmap.

CULTURE FIT IS NON-NEGOTIABLE

Culture fit is absolutely imperative - the wrong hire at this stage breaks the team for years. Our core seven principles:

• Great Energy - We bring and share great energy.
• Be Genius - We believe everyone is a genius at something.
• Thinker & Doer - We value those who combine deep thought with bold action.
• Intention & Attention - Clear intention, focused attention. Every action is deliberate. Every detail matters.
• Trust = Speed - High trust enables bold action and faster decisions. Low trust kills companies.
• First‑Principles Thinking - We solve problems by reasoning from first principles, not received wisdom.
• Make a Dent in the Universe - Our work will change the future of energy for billions. If you want to build something great, that matters and scales to the lives of billions of people, this place is for you.

THE TEAM YOU JOIN

We built a team that combines deep regulated data platform expertise with direct energy sector and grid infrastructure. The founding team built and scaled Open Banking for UK banks. We are applying the same playbook to the energy grid.

HOW TO APPLY

Ready to build the universal exchange layer for the energy grid?