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Innovation Associate, Innovation Pipeline Team

 
Vacancy Number:  26997
Category:  Commercial
Job Type:  Full-time
 

 

 

Position Description 

ESB needs to accelerate innovation in all parts of its business to achieve the strategic 2040 NetZero target. The Innovation team in Strategy, Innovation and Transformation (SIT) provides vital innovation support services to all of ESB’s Business Units. The unit sources, screens, and tests new technologies in close collaboration with ESB Business Units. Specifically, the Innovation Pipeline Team plays a key role in identifying and procuring new Proof of Concept or Pilot projects to help ESB navigate faster towards NetZero. The Innovation Pipeline Team co-founded and operates the global FREE ELECTRONS™ accelerator program on behalf of the entire ESB group.

 

We are seeking an Innovation Associate to help our team to manage the program and coordinate engagement with the wider ESB community. The key objective is to use the FREE ELECTRONS program to develop a portfolio of quality innovation opportunities and accelerate the delivery of ESB’s Net Zero strategy. In 2024, the program attracted 1,045 tech startups from 91 countries and resulted in 8 new innovative proof of concept projects across ESB Networks, ESB GT, ESB Customer Solutions and Engineering & Major Projects. ESB was also awarded a 6-Star rating for Innovation Capability by the European Foundation for Quality Management. The successful candidate will be welcomed into this high achieving team. 

 

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Assist with the review of new business opportunities and a variety of NetZero innovation proposal applications submitted into the FREE ELECTRONS program
  • Liaise with ESB’s innovation hubs to coordinate cross company participation in FREE ELECTRONS modules
  • Provide support to the Innovation Project Managers to develop FREE ELECTRONS pilot projects
  • Develop and maintain close working relationships with ESB Business Units and keep them informed of the annual FREE ELECTRONS program journey
  • Assist ESB Business Units with approvals and procurement of FREE ELECTRONS pilot projects
  • Update the innovation marketing tracker to monitor activity and present updates at team meetings & track progress of pilot projects
  • Prepare PR Statements, Internal Hub Articles, LinkedIn Social Media Posts, Blogs, Viva Engage posts, and coordinate their timely release with the ESB Press Office Team for promotion of the FREE ELECTRONS Program across internal and external stakeholders

 

Experience and Qualifications

Essential

  • A relevant 3rd level qualification/university degree or equivalent work experience is essential in engineering, business or marketing
  • Analytical skills & critical thinking
  • Appreciation of new technologies
  • Project management (basic)
  • Interpersonal & effective communication skill, planning & organisation skills
  • Stakeholder relationship management
  • Agility and adaptability

Desirable

  • Affinity for innovation
  • Commercial acumen
  • Strong people networking skills
  • Knowledge of the current electricity sector challenges & trends

 

Location 

This position will be based in ESB, 27 Fitzwilliam Street Dublin 2.

 

ESB is committed to smart working – combining digital tools with a culture of trust and empowerment to enable flexible ways of working. The successful candidate may work flexibly within their jurisdiction with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration on at least two anchor days per week. All smart working arrangements are subject to manager approval and ongoing review, based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the individual.

 

Reporting To

This role will report to the Head of Innovation Pipeline, Innovation, SIT.

 

Why Work with Us?

  • Opportunity to lead Ireland’s transition to net zero carbon future
  • Career development through mentoring and training 
  • Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities
  • Sports and Social Clubs
  • Networking opportunities
  • Credit Union
  • Generous Pension
  • Access to staff well-being programmes
  • Generous parental leave entitlements
  • Strong values-based and inclusive culture
  • Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Great team environment working to our Core Values: Courageous, Caring, Driven and Trusted

 

Salary

€48,100 - 56,600 per annum (depending on experience)


Closing Date

30th July 2025

 

Your application will be held in reserve for 6 months should you be suitable for the role.

 

 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

ESB is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of society and ensure that no one is discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or belief, ethnicity or nationality, disability, age, citizenship, marital status, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other basis as protected by law. 

Applicants who anticipate requiring assistance or reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or interview process may contact, in confidence, recruitment@esb.ie.  

About ESB

Join us in our mission to achieve a net-zero electricity system by 2040. ESB is Ireland’s leading energy utility, with activities spanning electricity generation, transmission and distribution, energy supply, energy services and international consultancy. Operating in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, we invest over €1 billion each year to deliver a new energy future based on reliable, affordable zero-carbon electricity.
 

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