Energy Innovation Director

Job Title: Energy Innovation Director

Salary: Up to GBP84,000 per annum

Based: Manchester / Flexible Working

Contract Type: Permanent

Greater Manchester through a partnership with Bruntwood, The Greater Manchester Combined Authority, The Growth Company, Hitachi EU, Manchester Metropolitan University, SSE, University of Manchester and the University of Salford have a new opportunity for an Energy Innovation Director who will be accountable for the leadership, strategic direction and oversight of the newly formed Energy Innovation Agency, to stimulate and drive innovation in for the region and beyond.

Whilst currently in its infancy, you will be responsible for turning it into an established organisation, central to the deployment of both technological and policy driven solutions needed to meet Greater Manchester's 2038 net zero target.

Key Responsibilities

* Direct, advise and support the Agency's delivery team, providing strategic and operational leadership, and supporting colleagues to develop their leadership and technical skills

* To develop, implement and maintain a sustainable operating model which secures funding for the EIA through its involvement in the commercialisation of the innovation opportunities in the pursuit of the City's Net Zero objectives

* Ensure the Agency operates in a sustainable way, and has in place a robust programme, financial and risk management, communication and reporting systems

* To act as a thought leader actively maintaining a high level of knowledge of those disciplines which constitute the remit of the EIA, enabling it to respond to, and advise stakeholders on the risks and opportunities presented, so enabling the EIA offer to be current, comprehensive and multifaceted and known as such Provide leadership, supervision and direction to any staff within the framework of Employment Law

* Ensure the delivery of equality, diversity, health and safety and other organisational policies and procedures as required

* Create an effective, empowered and fulfilled team

* Ensure diversity, inclusion and social justice are at the heart of the Agency's plans, policies and working practices

* Undertake a review of the Agency's current organisational and governance structure to ensure the arrangements are fit–for–purpose and best enable the organisation to effectively realise innovation opportunities and meet the City's Net Zero target

* Ensure the Agency has in place an effective, up–to–date business plan aligned with the organisation's role, objectives and the needs of the EIA partner members

* Develop and implement the necessary management and reporting systems to ensure the Board are aware of any financial and nonfinancial risks, include reputational risks to themselves, the EIA, or key strategic partners and funders

* Ensure the Board receives regular reports on progress in relation to the delivery of the Agency's business plan, its financial and human resources, contractual obligations, and any associated risks and issues

* Ensure the Board has at its disposal sufficient resources, guidance and professional advice on matters concerning compliance with its governing instrument, the law and the need to remain adequately funded

* In consultation with the Chair, prepare meeting agendas and draw the Chair's attention to matters that need a decision. To ensure there is prompt provision of the minutes of Board meetings

* Help ensure proper constitution of the Board, including requisite skills, to provide good governance

* Ensure the partner organisations receive timely and regular reports on progress against their own and wider EIA priorities

* To continually seek to identify and support the realisation of financial and nonfinancial resources to enable the EIA to achieve its objectives and increase its contribution to the City's net carbon zero agenda

* Work with the Board of Directors to create annual budgets

* Manage the overall budgets and resources of the Agency, including financial risks

* Identify appropriate new income streams, evaluating its viability and potential impact

About You

* A convincing leader on net zero energy transition

* Leadership, management and consistent achievement as a senior manager in an appropriate context

* A high degree of personal integrity and a passion for the subject, a pragmatic inclusive consensus building approach to change, comfortable leading from the front or from behind the scenes

* Influencing and communicating in a highly effective manner to varied audiences, private and public sector

* Demonstrated ability to work very effectively with senior leaders and to handle cross–boundary political sensitivities

Skills Required

* Experience of working in energy innovation and/or commercial energy environments at a senior level

* Board or management team level experience within small and large organisations

* Deep and current knowledge of national Energy/Net Zero challenge from technical, financial, policy and social perspectives

* Excellent knowledge and direct experience of strategic innovation partnerships across a range of disciplines and between research partners

* Ability to motivate high performance in others, who are not necessarily within line management responsibility

* Experience of securing funding for and managing significant innovation projects

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