Innovation Manager

National Grid; Menlo Park (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

National Grid Partners is hiring a Manager for the NGA initiative, a hybrid role based in Menlo Park, CA. You will support strategic direction, cultivate executive relationships among NGA members, and create commercial pathways between utility members and portfolio companies.

Lead yearlong forums, manage senior relationships, identify sales opportunities, and coordinate external innovation opportunities. Collaboration with marketing and a strong grasp of utility sector will be essential.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of relevant experience in strategic partnerships, business development, venture, utility innovation, or related fields.
• Experience managing senior executive relationships.
• Utility, clean energy, grid technology, or adjacent infrastructure experience.
• Business development, strategic partnerships, or ecosystem-building experience.
• Experience working with startups, innovation programs, venture groups, or emerging technologies.
• Strong consultative sales capabilities with electric and gas utilities.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills.
• Team player willing and able to work in a highly collaborative environment.
• Self-starter who works well in autonomous environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead yearlong working group thought forums on critical challenge areas facing National Grid and its utility peers – build curriculum, develop program, recruit speakers and attendees, and track impact;
• Account manage and deepen relationships with top tier NGA utility and industry members - from senior executives to middle management - to encourage greater participation in the NGA, alignment on topics, and interest in NGP portfolio companies;
• Identify, develop, and track sales opportunities for NGP portfolio companies with NGA members;
• Identify and bring back to National Grid external innovation awareness, investment, and co-development opportunities;
• Develop compelling agendas and discussions that bring together influential leaders at NGA events (Summit, networking receptions, roundtables); and
• Partner with NGP’s Marketing team in the development and distribution of NGA blog posts, white papers, and reports and content develop/review for NGA social media.
• The ideal candidate must effectively manage an ecosystem of stakeholders with varying interests utilizing a combination of capabilities that include consultative sales, account management, and program management.

Skills

Strategic partnerships

Business development

Venture experience

Utility innovation

Executive relationships

Consultative sales

Communication skills

Facilitation skills

Team player

Self-starter

Education

MBA

Job description

National Grid Partners launched in 2018 as the corporate venture and innovation arm of National Grid, one of the world’s largest investor-owned utilities. Since then, we’ve invested in over 50 startups that are making the power grid safer, cleaner, and smarter. Our team combines 100 years of investing experience and 125 years of utility operations.

About the Role

National Grid Partners is hiring a Manager as a core team member in delivering the NextGrid Alliance (NGA) initiative. This is a hybrid role based out of our Menlo Park, CA office.

The Manager, NGA is responsible for supporting the strategic direction and growth of National Grid Partners’ global utility innovation network. The Manager, NGA will cultivate executive relationships across a subset of our 170 utility member base, identify opportunities to accelerate industry innovation, and create commercial pathways between utility members and National Grid Partners’ portfolio companies.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and lead yearlong working group thought forums on critical challenge areas facing National Grid and its utility peers – build curriculum, develop program, recruit speakers and attendees, and track impact;
• Account manage and deepen relationships with top tier NGA utility and industry members - from senior executives to middle management - to encourage greater participation in the NGA, alignment on topics, and interest in NGP portfolio companies;
• Identify, develop, and track sales opportunities for NGP portfolio companies with NGA members;
• Identify and bring back to National Grid external innovation awareness, investment, and co-development opportunities;
• Develop compelling agendas and discussions that bring together influential leaders at NGA events (Summit, networking receptions, roundtables); and
• Partner with NGP’s Marketing team in the development and distribution of NGA blog posts, white papers, and reports and content develop/review for NGA social media.
• The ideal candidate must effectively manage an ecosystem of stakeholders with varying interests utilizing a combination of capabilities that include consultative sales, account management, and program management. To excel at this job, it is important to have enough domain expertise in the electric and/or gas utility sector to lead robust discussions within the working group thought forums that result in measurable impact. The candidate must also be able to balance developing/building strategy and executing at a tactical level. The position also requires a candidate of collaborative nature as well as strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

What You’ll Need

Must have:

• 7-10 years of relevant experience in strategic partnerships, business development, venture, utility innovation, or related fields
• Experience managing senior executive relationships
• Utility, clean energy, grid technology, or adjacent infrastructure experience
• Business development, strategic partnerships, or ecosystem-building experience
• Experience working with startups, innovation programs, venture groups, or emerging technologies
• Strong consultative sales capabilities with electric and gas utilities
• Strong communication and facilitation skills
• Team player willing and able to work in a highly collaborative environment
• Self-starter who works well in autonomous environment

Nice to have:

• Venture capital or corporate venture experience
• Experience with member-based organizations or industry associations
• MBA from a top program

More Information

#LI-NK1 #LI-UTILITY #LI-MARKETING #LI-NETWORKING #LI-VENTURE #LI-INVESTMENT #LI-GREEN ENERGY #LI-FORUM

$180,000-$205,000

National Grid will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. You must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144.

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.

National Grid operates in both the UK and US, with a broad portfolio of energy businesses dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable power.

From electricity and gas transmission to advancing clean energy and modernising grids, our work covers every aspect of the energy system.

Our energy flows through absolutely everything we do

Life here at National Grid is more than just our purpose or our values, it’s everything we put into everything we do. It’s our commitment to diversity and inclusion; how we help our employees learn and grow; and how we partner with and support the communities where we live and work. It’s all this, and so much more.

We leverage our collective strengths to do meaningful BIG work so that we can be at the heart of a fair and affordable energy future.

Your salary is reviewed each year against the market for your role, skills, knowledge and experience.

Incentive

Annual performance plan or bonus (depending on your role) rewards your contribution to our success each year.

Retirement

Generous pension plan with company contributions up to 12%.

Private medical insurance for self and family.