Director of Innovation

Edinburgh | Personal contract

Full-time | Hybrid

Joint-contribution pension from 6% (12% total) – Enhanced maternity & family leave – Life assurance – Holiday Plus – Virtual GP & Employee Assistance Programme plus retail and leisure discounts & many more.

R EQ6206

This role provides strategic leadership for SGN’s Future of Energy innovation portfolio, driving innovation programmes, funding opportunities and the adoption of emerging technologies. It ensures innovative ideas are delivered safely, effectively and with a clear focus on long-term value and the energy transition.

We deliver safety, warmth, and comfort to homes and businesses. Every role, whether in the office or on the front line, plays a key part in this mission. Here’s how you will contribute…

• Accountable for defining and delivering the Future of Energy innovation strategy and portfolio, aligned to organisational priorities, safety and value outcomes

• Owns the end-to-end innovation pipeline, from concept through delivery and integration into business-as-usual, with accountability for project controls, ensuring robust governance and adherence to standards.

• Responsible for leveraging innovation funding (direct, indirect and through collaboration) to maximise benefit to SGN and customers

• Provides technical oversight across projects, including input into business cases, funding plans and partner arrangements to ensure deliverability.

• Leads the development of engineering standards, competencies and assurance processes to support new technologies and energy transition activities.

• Represents SGN internally and externally, driving collaboration, influencing industry best practice, and ensuring innovation is translated into business value.

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline such as engineering, innovation, business, or a related field, providing a strong foundation in analytical, technical, and commercial thinking

• Chartered status or professional accreditation in an engineering, finance, or commercial discipline (e.g. CEng, ACA, CIMA, MBA) is desirable, demonstrating advanced technical, engineering, or strategic expertise.

• Proven experience leading innovation portfolios or complex programmes, managing end-to-end pipelines from concept through to delivery and value realisation.

• Strong understanding of project and programme governance, including engineering assurance, project controls and performance management.

• Extensive knowledge of the UK energy sector (preferably gas distribution) with demonstrable senior leadership experience managing large, cross-functional teams or projects and influencing senior stakeholders.

• Strong commercial and strategic capability, including development of business cases, investment decision-making and assessment of risk and value.

• Experience in identifying, shaping and progressing innovation opportunities, and translating emerging technologies into scalable, practical solutions.

• Experience of R&D contract negotiation, including intellectual property considerations (desirable).

• Proven experience managing million-pound budgets and operating within a regulated environment (desirable).

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, working effectively across internal teams and external partners to deliver complex initiatives.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in relevant roles, including significant time operating at a senior leadership level, with a proven track record in leading complex portfolios, innovation programmes or strategic initiatives.

Not sure you meet every requirement?

Research shows some people – particularly women and those from underrepresented backgrounds – may hesitate to apply unless they meet every criteria. At SGN, we value diverse…