Senior Advisor - Whole Systems & Networks
At Energy Systems Catapult we're looking for a Senior Advisor for Whole Systems and Networks to join our team.
About The Job
The Whole Systems and Networks (WS&N) Platform at Energy Systems Catapult is seeking a dynamic and experienced Advisor to lead our business development work in relation to electricity and gas networks, resilience, and whole systems analysis and innovation.
Please note that specific experience in electricity and gas networks, resilience and/or whole systems analysis is required for this role. We are seeking an individual with an understanding of the energy system and the competencies and attitude to shape and deliver high innovation projects, with the support of an expert team.
This is a unique opportunity to work at the cutting edge of the energy transition alongside sector-leading experts. You will be at the heart of shaping the future energy system—analytically, commercially, and strategically—by contributing to the development of innovative, cross-sector solutions and identifying how the Catapult can support innovators and SMEs to deliver transformation change.
As part of the WS&N Platform, you will play a pivotal role in engaging with the market, identifying client needs, and co-developing strategies and proposals that address critical whole systems challenges across transport, networks, heat, electricity generation, and retail. You’ll collaborate closely with our Platforms and Capabilities Teams to translate complex analytical questions into tangible, high-impact innovation projects.
Key Work Activities
Business Development & Strategy
Qualifications, Experience And Competency
Do you want to join our team as our new Venture Development Manager? Then we'd love to hear about you!
About The Job
The Whole Systems and Networks (WS&N) Platform at Energy Systems Catapult is seeking a dynamic and experienced Advisor to lead our business development work in relation to electricity and gas networks, resilience, and whole systems analysis and innovation.
Please note that specific experience in electricity and gas networks, resilience and/or whole systems analysis is required for this role. We are seeking an individual with an understanding of the energy system and the competencies and attitude to shape and deliver high innovation projects, with the support of an expert team.
This is a unique opportunity to work at the cutting edge of the energy transition alongside sector-leading experts. You will be at the heart of shaping the future energy system—analytically, commercially, and strategically—by contributing to the development of innovative, cross-sector solutions and identifying how the Catapult can support innovators and SMEs to deliver transformation change.
As part of the WS&N Platform, you will play a pivotal role in engaging with the market, identifying client needs, and co-developing strategies and proposals that address critical whole systems challenges across transport, networks, heat, electricity generation, and retail. You’ll collaborate closely with our Platforms and Capabilities Teams to translate complex analytical questions into tangible, high-impact innovation projects.
Key Work Activities
Business Development & Strategy
- Support and lead engagement in building strong influential relationships with new clients, relevant energy stakeholders and colleagues across the Catapult.
- Secure new innovation business opportunities in the UK, promoting the Catapult's offerings that deliver impact and change for the future energy system.
- Work across wider internal teams to create joint innovation offerings for existing and new clients, this includes developing propositions to support key UK institutions, networks, innovators and SMEs.
- Identify innovation needs and develop innovation projects that deliver impact and change for the future energy systemWorking collaboratively across internal teams to lead bid/proposal preparation aligning the Catapult’s Capability areas and partners to project needs and client expectations.
- Support and occasionally lead the development of strategy, understanding what the Catapult’s role is in delivering impact and change to create the future energy system
- Support and occasionally lead the development of offerings and value-propositions that align with the team strategy and support SMEs. Prioritise activity and alignment with commercial and strategic positions in the market.
- Support the growth of the Catapult’s portfolio of innovation activities across electricity and gas networks, whole systems thinking, resilience and flexibility.
- Build sector insight to drive innovation (in technical scope and delivery techniques) across our Whole Systems and Networks projects.
- Lead the successful development and support delivery of multiple externally funded projects at one time, managing relationships with clients and third parties. This will involve successful scoping, understanding of customer needs and requirements, contract negotiation, effective resource and budget planning, ensuring client satisfaction and quality assurance.
- Contribute towards wider strategies for future work and follow-on impacts, including consistently considering opportunities for UK innovators/innovation, and managing key stakeholder relationships during project delivery.
- Support quality assurance of outputs and insights being reported/presented to stakeholders.
- Apply a clear commercial awareness across activities, including directing engagements with clients, to ensure impact is maximised within available resources; and opportunities for follow-on work are identified.
Qualifications, Experience And Competency
- Ideally 10-15 years of experience with a network operator or equivalent strong energy consultancy experience with both public and private sector clients.
- Experience with electricity and/or gas networks, whole energy systems thinking, energy system resilience and innovation projects or innovation project management.
- Experience or familiarity with whole systems analysis and innovation, energy policy design, flexibility markets, network planning, and/or analysis of resilience is desirable.
- Ability to prioritise activity based on impact and commercial value as well as helping to influence strategic direction and corresponding activity. Maintains a positive, solution-oriented attitude when managing competing priorities.
- Proven track record in identifying, securing and delivering new opportunities, from lead generation and proposal preparation through to project delivery, with a focus on consultative selling approaches. Energy sector expertise and understanding of the innovation landscape.
- An understanding of public funding processes and experience of bid/proposal application preparation with an ability to structure and write winning bids and proposals that clearly articulate the Catapult’s value propositions, meet client requirements, and comply with any requirements set out in the tender documents or innovation fund.
- Strong commercial and project delivery background.
- Ability to produce high-quality outputs, proposals and reports.
- Ability to translate and interpret complexity into a digestible form for non-experts.
- Track record as a good communicator, able to write well, present and facilitate workshops effectively.
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
- A flexible working culture
- 28 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Buy / sell holidays
- Occupational sick pay
- Enhanced pension contribution
- Cycle2work scheme
- Life assurance
- Generous parental leave pay
- Cashback healthcare scheme
- Employee assistance programme
- Electric vehicle scheme
- Volunteering day
Do you want to join our team as our new Venture Development Manager? Then we'd love to hear about you!