This is the job specification for a job posted in March/April 2011 from British Gas which is no longer advertised. It gives very interesting information about the strategic ‘low carbon’ focus of the company.
Job Details
Head of Microgeneration – Energy Technology & Innovation
- Ref
- BGNM5289
- Region
- UK – South (South East, South West & London)
- Location
- Staines
Salary: Up to £90,000 + bonus & benefits
Head of Microgeneration – Energy Technology & Innovation – Job Summary/Purpose Overview
- Salary: Up to £90,000 + bonus & benefits
- Location: Staines (TW18 3BY)
The mission of ET&I is to position Centrica as the leading Energy competitor on Smart technology in the UK and develop a market leading business in Microgen. The team will bring together, align, and take direct accountability for various Microgen initiatives across the Group in the UK. It will lead the development of strategy in these areas and ensure the successful implementation of all Microgen initiatives. Actual delivery will be mostly undertaken by a combination of resources under the team’s direct control, and where appropriate, through other areas of the Group and external providers. The team will be responsible for maintaining continuous liaison with Centrica’s International businesses to ensure co-ordination and alignment.
To demonstrate leadership in the drive to tomorrow’s low carbon economy, and to gain first mover advantage on future products and services in the energy efficiency and low carbon energy area it is vital that Centrica understands and participates in the development of the technologies that will be instrumental in this arena. This role will lead Centrica’s drive to gain advantage in Microgen and low carbon energy technologies. This role will have primary responsibility for end use technologies in the home and business, including advanced home heating, microgeneration, fuel cells, microrenewables (wind, PV and solar thermal), and air - and ground-source heat pumps. It will work with the Smart to deliver technology innovation in Smart Metering. It will work closely with counterparts in Centrica’s international businesses to ensure maximum intelligence on global technology developments, and to maximise the potential for any technology partnerships.
This role, will work closely with Centrica Public Affairs to liaise with government, NGOs and other stakeholders for a favourable policy environment and for a favourable perception of Centrica and British Gas on low carbon energy service issues.
Head of Microgeneration – Energy Technology & Innovation – Job Outline
Through a detailed knowledge of the technology landscapes this role will be expected to steer Centrica into winning partnerships with technology developers. Partnerships may range in form from development MOUs to joint development agreements, to exclusive agency agreements to (in general minority) equity participation. The aims of such partnerships are to add value through Centrica’s market knowledge; to influence developments to ensure maximum marketability and serviceability; to get products to market more rapidly and to gain Centrica exclusivity and first mover advantage in marketing, installation and servicing.
The role will lead in gaining approval for, negotiating, delivering and managing these technology partnerships.
Role Complexity
The jobholder is expected to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of end use Microgeneration technologies, and to act as a point of reference for senior management on Microgen technology issues.
Key Accountabilities:
- Analyse market trends, new technology, manufacturers, product suppliers, new product development competitors and opportunities.
- Prepare business cases and obtain support and approval of expenditure to develop, research or trial new innovations or concepts and to enter into MOUs, Joint Development Agreements or other contractual arrangements with technology partners. This may also include equity investments or acquisitions of appropriate partners.
- Using techniques such as RAPID ensure the appropriate level of business support and sign-off for new product innovations and services.
- Identify, develop and project manage specific new technology propositions from concept through to test
- Design and implement an effective energy technology innovation strategy for Microgen
- Work closely with the Energy Efficiency team to ensure innovative Microgen products maximise CERT/CESPcredits and cost effectiveness
- Assist Public Affairs in the development of coherent consultation responses on behalf of Centrica
- Undertake or commission market, customer or other research to identify potential low carbon innovations or proposition development (for example price volume curves for solid oxide fuel cell micro-CHPW boilers).
- Support and direct the Procurement and Logistics teams to Microgen products are effectively supplied and procured
- Liaise with BGNE, BGS and BGB, Operations, Sales and Business Integrity teams to sign off and approve innovations and NPD and provide product literature, caveats, assist with training and technical product support material
- Manage a small team focused on Microgen, produce targets, support their development and conduct regular reviews, both formal and informal, to ensure feedback is given on performance.
Head of Microgeneration – Energy Technology & Innovation – Person Specification & Skills
- Relationship management, opinion forming and influencing skills
- Strong communications and spokesperson skills
- Highly developed strategic thinking and commercial management capabilities
- Leadership skills to manage a small team
- Strategic decision making, customer centric leadership, building partnerships, visionary leadership, championing innovation
- Presentation skills, ability to present analysis in a persuasive manner through clear and logical communication
- Lobbying and advocacy skills
Key Behavioural Competencies
Operational competencies: Operational decision making, Commercial acumen, Influencing both internally and externally, Developing others, Customer focus, Networking, Strategic leadership, Cost management, Revenue generation
Strategic competencies: Empowering, Decision-making, Customer centric, Building partnerships, Building trust, Vision, Competitive intelligence, Championing innovation
Qualifications and Experience
- Experience of developing technological / innovative solutions
- Knowledge and proven experience in the assessment and development of end use energy technologies
Themocracy