Innovation Insight Lead

National Grid; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy operator in the UK is seeking an Innovation Insights Lead to shape their innovation strategy and portfolio. The ideal candidate will have experience in delivering market research and a strong analytical mindset. Responsibilities include conducting research, evaluating innovation opportunities, and developing insights. This role offers competitive salary between £48,000 – £55,000, with flexible working arrangements, 26 days leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible work arrangements

Comprehensive benefits package

Contributory pension scheme

Qualifications

• Experienced in delivering primary and secondary research on market trends.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking capability required.
• Ability to work with data for modeling or visualization.

Responsibilities

• Deliver quantitative and qualitative research for innovation strategy.
• Use horizon-scanning to evaluate emerging challenges in energy.
• Drive delivery of insights through forums, articles, webinars.

Skills

Delivering primary and secondary research

Strong analytical and critical-thinking capability

Ability to work with data

Experience in strategy development or innovation delivery

Good knowledge of the UK energy system

Innovation mindset

Education

Background in research, science, technology, or data analytics

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

About the role

National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) strength lies in our people. Together, we’re shaping the future where clean, affordable energy is accessible for all. Every day is an opportunity to make a real difference, accelerating the progress of sustainable GB energy, keeping people connected and society thriving as we create a brighter tomorrow.

Innovation is critical to help solve the challenges the energy system faces today and into the future. At NESO, we work with partners from across the energy industry to harness new technologies, markets and ways of working that can make net zero a reality.

The Innovation Strategy & Insights team identify where innovation is required across the energy system. We set the direction of NESO’s innovation portfolio, as well as working with the wider sector on where innovation can address some of energy’s biggest challenges.

The Innovation Insights Lead has an integral role in shaping our Innovation Strategy and Innovation Portfolio. You will be delivering research, analysis and providing recommendations on how new innovation could impact NESO. It will play a crucial role in identifying opportunities and evaluating threats that will inform our innovation strategy, and ultimately the projects we deliver to enable the transition to net zero.

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick, or Glasgow 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.

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver quantitative and qualitative research that will be the foundation of our Innovation Strategy and Innovation Priorities.
• Use horizon-scanning methods to identify, monitor and evaluate emerging innovation and challenges in the energy sector
• Regular analysis of NESO’s innovation portfolio and how the insights and lessons learnt should shape our future strategy
• Deliver internal workshops to elicit inputs to the innovation strategy from senior leaders and the executive team
• Drive the delivery of clear and engaging insights on innovation through forums, articles, webinars and workshops
• Support the development of the Technology Insights Library including research, content creation, new feature development and quantitative analysis of market trends.
• Deliver continuous improvements to way we deliver innovation and collaborate with others.
• Support the sourcing, screening and evaluation of innovation opportunities

About you

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in delivering primary and secondary research on market, customer, technology, and industry trends
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking capability
• Ability to work with data, including basic statistics, modelling, or visualisation (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
• Experience in strategy development and/or innovation delivery
• Good knowledge of the UK energy system and the decarbonisation challenge
• A background in research, science, technology or data analytics is desirable, but not essential as long you have enthusiasm to learn about emerging innovation in net zero
• An innovation mindset, including the willingness to experiment with new ways of working and the curiosity to identify future trends and emerging technologies.
• Ability to work of your own volition and in a complex & ever changing environment

About what you’ll get

A competitive salary between £48,000 – 55,000 – 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.

About us

National Energy System Operator (NESO) 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 power operation by 2030 when there is sufficient renewable generation. We are also providing advice to the Government on achieving a decarbonised power system by 2030.

So, join the energy transformation and help shape the future. Your energy, our future, together.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO)

In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is 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, are now 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 is 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 was the ESO, 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.

More information

This role closes on 04/02/2026 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.

We’re committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where people of all backgrounds can succeed.

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