About the Position

Strategic Innovation Manager

Locations: Bristol, United Kingdom | Barcelona, Spain

Business: Energy Systems

Position type: Full Time

Contract type: Permanent Employee

Job ID: 6833

About Us

We are the independent expert in assurance and risk management. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decisions can be made with confidence.

As a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful organizations, we use our knowledge to advance safety and performance, set industry benchmarks, and inspire and invent solutions to tackle global transformations.

About Energy Systems

We help customers navigate the complex transition to a decarbonized and more sustainable energy future. We do this by assuring that energy systems work safely and effectively, using solutions that are increasingly digital. We also help industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry.

About the Role

Digital & Data Solutions (D&DS) is building a mission-critical, domain-driven digital business to support the energy transition, combining trusted data, engineering-grade software, and digital twins to deliver decision-grade insights in high-complexity environments.

Within D&DS, the Strategy, Innovation & Partnerships (SIP) unit drives growth by connecting market insight, innovation execution, and ecosystem expansion through a build–buy–partner approach.

As a Strategic Innovation Manager, you will play a key outward-facing role at the intersection of customers, markets, and innovation. You will actively secure and shape a pipeline of customer-anchored innovation opportunities, translate real-world signals into strategic opportunity spaces, and actively contribute to D&DS’s growth by identifying where to build internally and where to accelerate through partnerships or acquisitions.

You will work closely with customers, business lines, internal innovation labs, and leadership to ensure strategy remains dynamic, evidence-based, and tightly connected to execution. This is a highly dynamic role suited to individuals who thrive in ambiguity and convert insights into tangible business impact.

What You'll Do

Identify, originate, and advance customer opportunities and shape innovation: Build a pipeline of customer opportunities to run experiments and validate new solutions. Act as an innovation ambassador, developing a strong network of customers willing to experiment through long-term, trust-based relationships.
Scan markets and identify opportunities: Continuously monitor industry trends, customer needs, and emerging technologies to define high-value opportunity spaces aligned with D&DS strategic priorities.
Translate insight into strategy: Convert market and customer signals into actionable strategic inputs, supporting the continuous evolution of D&DS strategy.
Drive a customer-anchored innovation pipeline: Work with internal innovation labs and business lines to ensure experiments are grounded in real use cases, with clear commercial intent and pathways to scale.
Enable build–buy–partner decisions: Assess where D&DS should build internally versus accelerate through external solutions, contributing to a balanced and evidence-based growth approach.
Scout and evaluate ecosystem opportunities: Identify and screen potential partners, technologies, and acquisition targets to support partnership and inorganic growth initiatives.

Requirements

Required Skills

Strategic Thinking
Market Sensing
Innovation Management
Business Development

Preferred Skills

Proven ability to engage customers and external stakeholders.
Familiarity with partnership ecosystems or M&A screening.
Established professional network within renewables, energy transition, or adjacent ecosystems is a strong advantage.

What We Offer

At DNV, you will join a purpose-driven organization working at the forefront of the energy transition.

The opportunity to influence strategic growth in a rapidly scaling global digital business.
A high-exposure role with direct interaction with customers, partners, and senior leadership.
Participation in building next-generation digital solutions combining data, AI, and domain expertise.
A collaborative and international environment.
Flexible working arrangements and a strong focus on work–life balance.

DNV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to gender, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, cultural background, social group, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, or political opinion.

Benefits

Profit Share: You’ll be part of our global profit share scheme that means we all share in our success as a business. If we profit, so do you.
Insurance: Taking care of you with travel, life, and accident insurance.
Pension Schemes: We care about your long-term financial security and prioritize pension and retirement benefits.
Professional Development: We believe in the 70/20/10 learning model.
Hybrid Working: Adapting to the changing world of work around the world.
Purpose-led organization: You become part of a world-leading company where we know and live our purpose; to safeguard life, property, and the environment.
Supportive and caring culture: We offer opportunities to connect through social and professional networks.
Attractive rewards: We focus on work/life balance and offer employees flexible working hours and workplace, annual vacation allowance, competitive pension, insurance, and a global profit share scheme.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At DNV, our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is not only an ethical choice, but also a business decision. Diversity, fairness, and a sense of belonging are a source of strength for our people, our business, and our customers, and help us to deliver on our purpose, vision, and values.

Working Here

Since 1864 we’ve been dedicated to safeguarding life, property, and the environment. Today we remain at the forefront of new technologies and techniques to help our customers transform for a more sustainable future.

At DNV you can expect to deliver career and industry defining work. You’ll be given the time to build your network, the resources to support your development, and the freedom to satisfy your curiosity and desire to learn.

Application Process

You can apply directly through our careers page by submitting your CV and any other documents we require (i.e. university diplomas/transcripts; visas; previous employment reference letters*). Make sure your application is fully completed, and you tailor it to the specific job listing.

Our interview process may include initial phone screenings, video conferences, and in-person interviews, focusing on both your technical abilities and our shared values. You can ask your recruiter specifically about the interview process for your role.

The timeline can vary but we make every effort to reply to each candidate as soon as possible and keep everyone up-to-date with where they are in the recruitment process.

FAQs

Recruitment Process and Applications

How can I find job openings that fit my skills and interests?
Explore our official job search page where you can use filters such as job type, location, and department to find roles that best match your qualifications and career aspirations.
What’s your application process like?
You can apply directly through our careers page by submitting your CV and any other documents we require (i.e. university diplomas/transcripts; visas; previous employment reference letters*). Make sure your application is fully completed, and you tailor it to the specific job listing.
Is your recruitment process designed to be inclusive and accessible?
Yes, it is. We're an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all candidates. We’re happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. Share the details of what you need within your application.
What types of interviews might I undergo?
Depending on your role, our interview process may include initial phone screenings, video conferences, and in-person interviews, focusing on both your technical abilities and our shared values. You can ask your recruiter specifically about the interview process for your role.
How long does the hiring process typically take from application to decision?
The timeline can vary but we make every effort to reply to each candidate as soon as possible and keep everyone up-to-date with where they are in the recruitment process.
How do I know if a recruitment contact is legitimately from your company?
Official communication will come from our verified company email addresses. Carefully check any suspicious looking emails and if you have any doubts, don’t engage.
Are there any fees involved in your recruitment process?
No, we do not charge any fees at any stage of our recruitment process. All applications and interviews are free of charge, we will never ask you to pay any fees or make any payments – please be wary of any requests for payment as these are likely scams.
What should I do if I suspect a job scam?
If you encounter suspicious job postings or recruitment practices, do not provide personal information and contact your recruiter as soon as possible. We take these matters seriously. We will never ask you to pay any fees or make any payments part of our recruitment process.

Role & Location-Specific Details

Do you support candidates who need a visa?
This depends on the role. Refer to the job posting for details and make sure you have the necessary permissions or visa to work in the country you’re applying for. We’ll check your documents during the recruitment process and let you know if you’re missing anything.
Do you offer relocation services?
Depending on the role and location, we may be able to offer support with relocation. Your recruiter will discuss this with you during the recruitment process.
What’s your approach to hybrid working? Where will I be based?
We’ve adapted to the changing world of work, so depending on your role and location, you'll be able to find a balance between home, on-site and office work that works for you and the business.
Will I need to travel for work?
Travel requirements vary by role but if you have a field-based role then yes, you will need to travel for work. You’ll find details in the job posting itself and you can ask your recruiter for clarification.

Benefits & Policies

What benefits do you offer?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that varies by role and location. We focus on work/life balance and offer you flexible working hours, vacation allowance, competitive pension, insurance, and a profit share scheme. You’ll find more details on job postings, and your recruiter can answer any specific questions you have.
How much holiday do you offer?
Your holiday entitlement depends on your location and length of service. Please take a look at the job posting for more details and speak with your recruiter if you have questions about a specific role’s entitlement.
What’s your pension policy?
We care about your long-term financial security and prioritize pension and retirement benefits to reflect that. You can ask your recruiter for more information if you have specific questions about our pension policy.
What’s your sick leave policy?
Your health and wellbeing are our priority, and our policies reflect this. You can find out more about our sick leave policy by talking to your recruiter.
What’s your parental leave policy?
We understand how important family life is and support parents with leave policies tailored to their needs. If you have specific questions, please ask your recruiter for more details.
Do you offer bonuses?
You’ll be part of our global profit share scheme that means we all share in our success as a business. If we profit, so do you. You’ll be rewarded as part of our Total Compensation approach each year, which depends on our year-end results.
What’s your approach to wellbeing and health insurance?
Alongside a healthcare package where you can sign up your spouse and any dependants too, you’ll have access to the many wellbeing initiatives we run, including workshops, webinars, consultations with specialists.

Career Growth & Development

What career development opportunities do you offer?
We believe in the 70/20/10 approach to learning – on-the-job training, technical development, and formal learning opportunities. You can check out our knowledge booster program video to find out more about how we nurture your growth and development.
Do employees return to DNV after leaving?
Yes, we regularly welcome back colleagues who have worked elsewhere and then return to us. You can hear one of their stories here.
How can I manage my application/data?
If you log in to your account on our careers site, you can manage your application and data preferences.
Can I sign up for job alerts?
Yes, you can register for job alerts by joining our Talent Community here. By signing up, you’ll be first to learn about new job opportunities that could be the perfect fit for you.

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Disclaimer

Please beware of recruitment scams that pretend to be from DNV or its employees. We will never ask you to pay any fees or make any payments as part of our recruitment process.

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Strategic Innovation Manager

Job Description, Responsibilities & Requirements

About the Position