National Grid
Director of Strategic Demand
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Director of Strategic Demand
Strategic Demand Director – National Grid
About Us
The electricity network is undergoing its largest transformation in decades. National Grid sits at the heart of the clean energy transition and economic growth agenda, playing a key enabling role for ~30 GW of strategically important demand, such as data centres and the UK Government’s AI Growth Zones (AIGZ).
Job Purpose
The Strategic Demand Director leads National Grid’s strategic demand and AIGZ agenda end-to-end, acting as the senior point of coordination between external stakeholders and internal National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) teams. Externally, the role shapes and influences the policy, regulatory, and stakeholder environment (including working with Government departments, customers, and industry bodies) to accelerate outcomes. Internally, the role convenes and coordinates across the ET business to align strategy, governance, prioritisation, and delivery, and provides executive-level insight, briefings, and recommendations to senior leaders—translating complex technical, regulatory, and delivery issues into clear options, decisions, and measurable portfolio outcomes.
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Leadership
- Set the strategic demand direction by defining outcomes, priorities, and delivery pathways for high-impact demand (e.g., AI Growth Zones, data centres, and other nationally significant loads), aligned to business strategy and wider system planning.
- Provide thought leadership and strategic briefings to senior executives and government officials, translating complex technical, regulatory, and delivery issues into clear, compelling insights and recommendations on strategic demand.
External Engagement & Influence
- Build and sustain strategic relationships with Government departments, regulators, and industry stakeholders to influence AIGZ outcomes, policy decisions, and secure alignment on strategic demand priorities.
- Represent National Grid in high-profile forums like the AI Energy Council and Grid Connections Working Group, driving action through cross-functional working groups in National Grid.
- Lead senior external engagement with Government departments, customer executives, and industry bodies to shape policy, regulation, and incentives that accelerate strategic demand connections.
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Programme & Delivery Leadership
- Lead the strategic development and execution of AI Growth Zones and associated connection delivery projects, ensuring timely and scalable grid connections for high-priority data centre developments. Actively manage customer and stakeholder expectations.
- Shape and implement the strategic demand triage process, the Connections Acceleration Service, and future government-led initiatives, working with Government departments to pilot and scale fast-track connection models.
- Integrate strategic demand into core industry processes like Strategic Spatial Energy Planning (SSEP) and Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP), coordinating with NESO for a unified national transmission network development pathway.
Operational & Governance Coordination
- Initiate and deliver targeted interventions and special projects to unblock barriers, mitigate delivery challenges, and maximise strategic demand ambition.
- Convene and coordinate policy and regulatory expertise across the National Grid Group, aligning inputs and building consensus on key policy issues and consultations relating to strategic demand.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to assess, trial, and scale innovative connection products for strategic demand projects.
- Shape locational strategy for demand connections, ensuring optimal siting relative to network capacity and planning constraints.
Candidate Profile
Strategic & Programme Leadership
- Significant experience leading complex, cross-functional programmes with multiple stakeholders, high uncertainty, and material reputational/delivery risk.
- Proven ability to drive change and best practice within a complex organisation.
- Strong policy acumen, with experience engaging with Government departments and shaping national initiatives.
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Technical & Regulatory Expertise
- Deep understanding of electricity transmission systems, grid connection processes, and regulatory frameworks.
- Proven experience in leading strategic infrastructure programmes, ideally involving data centres, AI, or large-scale demand growth.
- Familiarity with strategic energy planning initiatives such as RESP, SSEP, and CSNP, and how strategic demand requirements translate into planning assumptions and delivery pathways.
Analytical & Communication Skills
- Experience in developing and implementing innovative connection products and commercial models.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with a track record of cross-sector collaboration.
- Excellent strategic thinking and analytical capabilities, ability to translate complex technical issues into actionable policy and delivery plans.
- Effective communicator, capable of influencing at senior levels and representing the organisation externally.
- Experience in programme governance, risk management, and performance tracking.
Industry Insight
- Knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in digital infrastructure, AI/data centres, and energy systems.
About This Role
Location: Primarily Warwick: on-site ~3 days per week (average). Competitive base salary, plus commensurate benefits. Closing date: Tuesday 14th July 2026 at 23:59 BST.
Diversity & Inclusion
National Grid values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Applications from all suitably qualified candidates are welcomed—appointments are made purely on merit. Flexible working is supported, and reasonable adjustments will be made during recruitment if needed.
Note on sponsorship: National Grid generally cannot offer sponsorship for UK employment (points-based immigration system). Applicants must have legal right to work in the UK. Exceptions considered for exceptionally skilled roles—all qualifying applicants encouraged to apply.
Applications are welcomed from candidates regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.
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