Innovation Business Partner - ESO

Great Britain's electricity system is undergoing an ambitious, exciting and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, greener system, one that protects the planet and serves generations to come.

As an Innovation Business Partner, you are instrumental to our journey towards zero carbon. You will work across the ESO, and with external stakeholders, to ensure that we are delivering against our existing plans. You shape and adapt projects and future industry and ESO plans for the benefit of consumers. This is a highly visible role - working closely with senior managers and their teams to identify the problems and challenges they face that could be resolved through innovation. Some key areas you may be working on include:

• Working collaboratively with teams across the business to develop new projects


• Engaging with senior managers and SMEs across the business to understand the challenges and problems they need to resolve to meet their priorities on our journey to net


• Building relationships with leaders and teams across the business, and with external parties, to develop projects


• Managing the funding, contracting and reporting processes for your portfolio of projects


• Designing, and running workshops with teams and cross-role SMEs to identify challenges and develop projects.


• Attend, support and represent, the ESO at external events and workshops such as the ESO Open Innovation Events and network wide events such as the Energy Innovation Summit


Innovation is also one of the central pillars of RIIO, and is about establishing a safe, collaborative space in which to explore higher-risk technologies and ways of working. Our innovation function works to foster and embed a culture of innovation in the business, while ensuring we stay focused on solving issues affecting the industry as well as our priority challenges. Join us and you would be working on developing some of our exciting ongoing projects as well as guiding the business in figuring out where to invest next.

This role can be based from Wokingham or Warwick, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements., As an Innovation Business Partner:

• You will embed yourself in one, or more, of our Directorates (and others as our new organisation's roles develop) and spearhead their innovation activity.


• You will understand the key strategic challenges and priorities of innovation, the Directorate and the wider organisation


• Work with subject matter experts and industry innovators to develop, launch and facilitate the delivery of innovation projects


• Work alongside the other Innovation Business Partners, and the wider Innovation team, to coordinate innovation activities that run across the business


• Report on innovation activities to senior leadership for full visibility of projects.
  
  Essential


• Stakeholder engagement - liaising with internal teams and external partners to set up and support projects


• Organisational and communication skills


• Project management - supporting the development and delivery of projects


• Self-management - ability to manage competing priorities and change in a fast-paced environment


• Relationship building and stakeholder management


• Strong analytical, problem solving and collaboration skills.


Desirable:

• Understanding of the GB Energy system
  
  The ESO has a key role to play in tackling climate change by transitioning GB's electricity system to net zero. We already operate the fastest decarbonising electricity system in the world, with an ambition for zero carbon operation by 2025. And by 2035, we want to run 100% clean, green energy, all the time.


Becoming the National Energy System Operator
In Summer of 2024, the ESO will transition to becoming the National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator will be the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain's electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.

The ESO, including all of its existing roles, will be at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users' need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.

The organisation will be set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As the ESO are today, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.

The time to deliver is now. As part of our team, you won't just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain - you'll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

A competitive salary between £44,100 - 50,000 - dependent on experience and capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 days annual leave as standard and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.

You will also have access to a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your well-being and professional success. From a competitive salary to flexible work arrangements, we promote your work-life balance. Enjoy fit for purpose wellbeing and lifestyle offerings, ongoing skill development aligned to our Purpose and Values, and be part of a supportive community that values your individuality and where you can belong.