Head of Innovation

Job Description

About us

Head of Innovation

Salary – Competitive Salary + £5000 Car Allowance and comprehensive benefits package

Work Type – Hybrid (3 days a week office based)

Job Location – Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP

Role Type – Permanent

Employment Type – Full Time

Working Hours – 37

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long‑term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and contribution.

Benefits

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, rising to 30 with service, plus 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 20% performance‑related bonus, plus recognition awards
• £5000 Annual Car Allowance
• Company‑funded healthcare plan
• MyGymDiscounts – up to 25% off gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Role Overview

United Utilities is entering one of the most transformative periods in its history — and innovation will be at the heart of how we deliver for customers, communities and the environment. As Head of Innovation, you will set the strategic direction for our innovation agenda and turn bold ideas into real‑world impact.

In this high‑profile leadership role, you will:

• Shape and execute a company‑wide innovation strategy that accelerates performance, resilience and digital transformation
• Bridge traditional engineering with emerging technologies to unlock new ways of working
• Build innovation capability across the organisation and supply chain, inspiring a culture of curiosity, experimentation and continuous improvement

This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of a major FTSE 100 utility and drive change at scale.

What you'll be doing

Strategy & Roadmap

• Define and champion UU’s long‑term innovation vision, ensuring alignment with PR24 (2025–2030) and PR29 (2030–2035) business plans
• Translate strategic ambitions into clear, investable innovation pathways that deliver measurable value

Funding & Competitions

• Lead UU’s participation in major funding opportunities, including the Water Innovation Fund and Water Efficiency Lab
• Oversee high‑value bids and cross‑sector collaborations that accelerate innovation delivery and leverage external investment

Portfolio Management

• Build and manage a balanced innovation portfolio — from disruptive early‑stage concepts to scalable, market‑ready solutions
• Ensure investments are commercially robust, strategically aligned and capable of delivering tangible outcomes

Operational Transformation

• Identify, source and pilot emerging technologies that address the sector’s biggest challenges, aligned to the Water Innovation Strategy 2050
• Drive adoption of solutions that enhance resilience, efficiency and customer experience

Data & Digital Innovation

• Champion the use of AI, machine learning, digital twins and big data to transform asset management and predictive maintenance
• Accelerate UU’s digital maturity and embed data‑driven decision‑making across the organisation

Cultural Leadership

• Promote a “fail fast, learn fast” culture that empowers teams to innovate and removes barriers to experimentation
• Mentor colleagues and inspire curiosity across the organisation and supply chain

Ecosystem Engagement

• Build strategic partnerships with universities, start‑ups, supply chain partners, other utilities and sector bodies such as British Water, Spring and Stream
• Position UU as a leader in water sector innovation and accelerate the scaling of proven solutions

What you’ll bring

• Strategic Leadership: Proven experience shaping and delivering innovation strategies in complex, regulated environments (ideally utilities or infrastructure)
• Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of the UK water sector, including price reviews, environmental standards and customer expectations
• Commercial Acumen: Ability to build compelling business cases, manage innovation budgets and navigate governance from pilot to scale‑up
• Technical Literacy: Familiarity with AI, machine learning, digital twins and their application to physical water assets
• Influence & Advocacy: Skilled at engaging senior stakeholders and acting as a visible ambassador for innovation internally and externally

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Relevant degree (Engineering, Environmental Science, Business or similar)
• Experience working with large‑scale grant funding bodies such as the Water Innovation Fund or Innovate UK

Other

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick‑start a thriving career here at UU.