Innovation Manager

About us

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

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