Commercial Lead

Since the first round of Innovation Challenges were launched in 2021, the SIF has committed £136 million of SIF funding across 165 projects, leveraged a further £35.8m from industry and connected 215 project partners.

Job Purpose:

This is an exciting and varied role focused on delivering a transformational package of activities that will enable the successful development, commercialisation and deployment of innovative technology, products and services. The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) already funds projects with the potential to deliver massive carbon reduction, and consumer value. The role will focus on the existing and growing portfolio of demonstration projects to identify and deliver the right support and incentives to increase the speed of delivery, acceleration of rollout, and the likelihood of project benefits being realised. It will take a leading role in owning and driving forward some of our wider benefits analysis: from our contribution to the Energy Innovation Needs Assessment (EINA), to the forecasts and modelling for our portfolio of activities.

The Programme is also identifying other activities that can support the SIF in finding and funding ambitious, truly transformational innovation, such as: technology foresighting for future SIF applications, collaborative development of pre-SIF ready innovation, the migration of successful innovation from international demonstration into GB Network Licensees, greater collaboration amongst licensees, projects requiring a mix of SIF and private funding and embryonic innovation requiring incubation.

We are keen to hear from applicants who can demonstrate a good technical understanding of energy system innovation and the operating models of Ofgem regulated monopolies. We are looking for someone who can critically evaluate in-flight projects, as well as imagine future projects that can appeal to GB Network Licensees and harness innovation with substantial potential. As an expert in whole system thinking, you will be leading our approach to "doing things differently" and "being the difference".

This role requires you to work in an agile manner with Ofgem, energy network companies and other partners. You will be responsible for identifying and developing interventions on nationally significant energy system projects. The role requires the ability to scrutinise evidence, identify barriers, challenge statements and assumptions, and deliver activity that will strengthen the value of current and future projects in the SIF., Own and manage the commercial relationships with projects and project partners
Lead the identification of portfolio projects where further intervention can enable commercialisation and innovation deployment
Support and facilitate projects to give them the best chance of successful commercialisation and roll out beyond SIF funding
Critically challenge the commercialisation and rollout planning of in-flight demonstration projects
Analyse and synthesize commercial and economic data for GVA analyses, alongside quantitatively drive market intelligence and insight development
Find and foster engagement with critical technologies where a future fit with SIF could be encouraged
Enhance support to 'pre-SIF' companies and innovators who have future ambitions to engage with Licensees for innovation funding
Lead on engagements with international demonstration projects that could transition to GB demonstration via SIF
Work closely with Innovation squad and Impacts & Insights squad colleagues to design the most efficient approach for engaging and supporting in-flight demonstration projects
Host/Participate in Innovation & Commercial 'surgeries' with innovators
Provide commercial leadership to the Call for Ideas process, focused on finding and nurturing energy system innovators
This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the key experience and/or training.

This position requires a person with a robust understanding of the energy system, a commercial grasp of network operations, and a good understanding of the price control and incentive mechanisms. As well as being comfortable challenging the norms, the successful candidate will be an expert in visualising the bigger picture when it comes to developing commercially viable innovation in a monopoly environment.

We are looking for someone who is able to make sense of multiple information sources and deliver original thinking on how best to ensure we identify the projects with high-potential, and pull the relevant levers to help those projects realise their potential. The candidate should demonstrate a thorough understanding of innovation development and deployment, at-scale, within and across regulated monopolies.

We have built an ambitious, supportive and knowledgeable team environment. The successful applicant should be a team player, be willing to share their knowledge of economic impact evaluation and to learn from others. We are looking for a motivated self-starter with an excellent ability to communicate to wide audiences in an engaging manner. Someone with the ability to identify and build positive collaborations and strategic partnerships to deliver against Innovate UK's Net Zero Innovation Strategy., Degree or post-graduate qualification in a subject relevant to engineering, energy, economics, physical sciences.