Context
At the Energy Systems Catapult, we devise innovative solutions to some of the toughest challenges facing the energy sector. We look for growth opportunities created by the transition of the energy system: one of the greatest market opportunities in the coming decades, as well as one of the most urgent issues for society.
Transitioning to a more resilient and low-carbon energy system is a hugely complex challenge. Industry, local government, community energy, SMEs and investors are critical to this transition. Understanding their needs, and developing innovative and attractive solutions which enable them to invest and deliver energy projects at scale and pace is key.
At the Catapult, we have delivered market-leading methods to identify place-based energy pathways and project portfolios through local area energy planning. We are now focused on finding ways to leverage our assets and expertise to ensure that these portfolios of projects can move forward to delivery, from plan to action. This involves leveraging the Catapult’s assets and capabilities to address innovation challenges around place-based public-private partnerships, development and investment approaches to energy projects.
We are looking for a Local Energy Transition Advisor with strong experience of commercial consulting and place-based energy investment. This could include regulatory (network infrastructure), private and public investment in energy projects and infrastructure. You will play a key role in helping us understand market needs, developing new propositions, identifying and securing work, and the subsequent delivery of projects in this space.
You will join the Place team, an ambitious team of ten people involved in a range of sector-leading energy innovation projects, reporting to a Senior Energy Transition Advisor. The team has delivered exciting work in this space (e.g., ), but is looking to do more.
Business development & proposition design
* Engage with clients and potential clients to win impactful work. Proactively identifying, developing and securing new business and opportunities to deliver impactful projects. This could be with a range of client groups including the public and private sector (e.g. Combined Authorities, ESCOs, developers and investors).
* Build sector insight to shape offers. Analysing the market through consultative conversations with stakeholders and potential clients to drive innovation (in technical scope and delivery techniques) across our work. Shaping new value-propositions in response to client needs, and consultatively working to secure projects as a result.
* Deliver market engagement and marketing activity related to propositions. Raising awareness, building credibility, and generating inward enquiries. This may include working with internal colleagues on campaigns, producing thought leadership, or attending events and other networking opportunities.
* Work across internal teams, to identify innovation opportunities by leveraging Catapult assets and capabilities, and co-develop propositions and projects.
* Support reactive business development such as shaping proposals or contributing to tender responses and bid work as part of a bid team. Contributing to high quality submissions, tender scores and continuous improvement.
* Understand where to prioritise activity to maximise impact balanced with commerciality of work.
Delivering impact, managing projects and delivering work to clients
* Support successful delivery of externally funded projects. This will involve ensuring successful scoping, contract negotiation and mobilisation. You will maintain a clear understanding of customer needs and requirements, deliver effective resource and budget management, client engagement, satisfaction and quality assurance, as well as offering key subject matter expertise in delivery such as research and reporting. Leading projects of an appropriate scale.
* Support definition and successful delivery of key internal asset development projects. Collaborating with internal teams for example the Business Model Innovation, Systems Integration, Consumer Insight and Modelling teams. Ensuring clear and prioritised scopes, effective resource planning and working towards agreed end states and outcomes. Leading projects of an appropriate scale.
* Applying clear and effective critical whole systems thinking across projects and within the team. You will help ensure robust project outcomes by understanding systems issues, trade-offs, and project considerations. Translating insights into clear recommendations and actions, for example leading delivery of work related to guiding and catalysing large scale investment in energy projects, or place-based partnerships, and supporting other projects as needed e.g. planning work.
What credentials are we ideally looking for?
Qualifications and Experience:
* Strong commercial consultancy experience, including winning work, delivery on time and in budget, and highly effective stakeholder management.
* Experience in identifying, securing and delivering new opportunities, from lead generation and proposal preparation through to project delivery, with a focus on consultative selling approaches and stakeholder management.
* Track record in understanding a market, and prioritising activity based on impact and commerciality.
* Energy experience and in particular issues connected to project investment and delivery, place-based partnerships and programmes for energy investment.
* Experience of working with public and/or private sector organisations to develop, scope and deliver energy related projects and programmes.
* Experience of working with places (such as cities, local government or combined authorities) and the private sector in developing strategic partnerships / business models to invest in large programmes of net zero delivery.
* A comprehensive understanding of the energy systems policy and funding landscape, particularly as it relates to developing and delivering place-based energy projects.
* An understanding of public funding processes and experience of bid preparation.
* Track record of producing high quality outputs, reports and thought leadership.
* 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, and deliver high quality outputs.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with a diverse range of stakeholders.
* A “can do” attitude, comfortable with the hands-on work and flexibility required in a small team
* Degree in a relevant area
Employee Benefits:
Annual leave 28 days plus bank holidays (FTE) + Buy/Sell holidays Buy/sell holiday – maximum 1 week based on contracted hours + Pension 2 for 1 contribution via salary sacrifice scheme up to 10% + Discretionary bonus scheme + Recognition scheme to celebrate “above and beyond”+ EV Scheme Salary sacrifice + Cycle2work Salary sacrifice + Life assurance 4 x salary + Health Cash Back Plan + Retail and gym discounts + Employee Assistance Programme 24/7 phoneline and 6 free counselling sessions + Snacks and drinks + Annual company off-site event.
Flexible working options for eligible employees = (Sabbatical/Compressed/Staggered/Flexible hours) + Working within a hybrid office attendance model with the expectation of being in the office at least 1 day a week + and:
Maternity Leave = (100% 13 weeks / 50% 13 weeks/SP 13 weeks/Unpaid leave for 13 weeks)
Adoption Leave = (100% 13 weeks/50% 13 weeks/SP 13 weeks/Unpaid leave for 13 weeks)
Paternity Leave = (100% 2 weeks)
Shared Parental Leave = (100% 10 weeks/50% 13 weeks/SP 13 weeks)