Innovation Development Specialist

Innovation Development Specialist
Alabama Power Company - Corporate Entrepreneurship & Innovation Development
This position is located at APC Corporate Headquarters in Birmingham, AL

JOB SUMMARY  

Alabama Power’s Innovation Development team serves as a catalyst for advancing tech-based, economic development across the state. The team is part of the Economic and Community Development organization and focuses on the growth and strengthening of Alabama’s innovation ecosystem by expanding innovation programs, cultivating strategic partnerships, and supporting the recruitment, development, and retention of high-impact tech startups.

For more than a century, Economic and Community Development has helped foster healthy commerce across Alabama offering industry-specific expertise to help navigate our state’s economic development systems.

The Innovation Development Specialist plays a key external-facing role in driving ecosystem growth. This position focuses on identifying and developing opportunities that foster innovation, attract and recruit startups, and build strategic relationships with partners across the tech and business communities. The role works closely with cross-functional teams, external stakeholders, community organizations, and public-private partnerships to deliver insights, support program development, strategically synergize efforts, and promote Alabama Power’s leadership in innovation and economic development.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, finance, engineering, or a related field; master’s degree or MBA preferred.

Experience:

• Experience or strong interest in venture capital, corporate venturing, economic development, or community affairs is highly preferred.
• Understanding startup ecosystems, venture development, and innovation program operations.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills to engage effectively with founders, investors, corporate partners, community organizations, and internal/external stakeholders.
• Excellent relationship management and project implementation abilities, with experience using CRM, dashboards, and project management software.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to evaluate partnership opportunities, assess market trends, and identify emerging technologies.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across internal teams and external networks.
• Travel up to 40% in the role for statewide and regional ecosystem engagement. Most travel is weekly day trips, but there are occasional overnight and national travel expectations.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Program Management: Lead planning and coordination of Alabama Power’s efforts with Techstars EnergyTech Accelerator and Alabama Founders Fest.
• Ecosystem Development: Lead efforts to grow Alabama’s tech ecosystem through engagement with innovation programs, EDOs, LEDOs, venture capital firms, community organizations, and startups.
• Startup Recruitment: Identify, evaluate, and recruit promising startups and entrepreneurs to participate in innovation programs and partnerships.
• Partnership Management: Build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders—Innovate Alabama, Department of Commerce, corporate partners, mentors, investors, and ecosystem leaders—to strengthen collaboration and program success.
• Program Expansion: Support the design and implementation of new innovation initiatives, events, and accelerators that drive business growth and community impact.
• Research & Insights: Conduct industry and market research to identify emerging trends, commercialization opportunities, and technologies, and opportunities that align with Alabama Power’s innovation development goals.
• Performance Tracking: Collect and analyze data on KPIs and program outcomes to measure impact and inform strategic decisions.
• Policy & Opportunity Monitoring: Track local, state, and federal initiatives that influence innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
• Community Engagement: Represent Alabama Power at events, showcases, and demo days to promote innovation programs and strengthen ecosystem connections.
• Storytelling: Craft and share compelling stories that highlight Alabama Power’s innovation initiatives, startup successes, and ecosystem impact through written, visual, and verbal communication across multiple platforms.

BENEFITS

• Competitive Pay
• Excellent benefits packages which includes:
  • Medical and dental coverage
  • Defined Pension/Cash Balance Benefit Plan
  • Performance Pay Program
  • 401(k) plan with a generous company match
  • Bonus opportunities
  • Tuition Reimbursement

***Please submit an updated resume with your application***

Alabama Power provides safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to 1.5 million customers across the lower two-thirds of Alabama. 

For more information, visit www.AlabamaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/AlabamaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/AlabamaPower), LinkedIn (Linkedin.com/company/alabama-power), and Instagram (Instagram.com/alabamapower).

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com. 

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf. Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.