Senior Innovation Project Manager

About us

Lingley Mere, Warrington (Hybrid)

Permanent | Full Time

Competitive Salary | Annual Bonus + £5000 Car Allowance

The role

At United Utilities, we don’t just deliver water — we deliver a better future for the North West. Our mission is to provide high-quality, sustainable water services that support a greener, healthier and more prosperous region.

Ranked #4 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, we are proud of our commitment to diversity, innovation and creating a workplace where people can truly thrive.

As we significantly increase our investment in innovation over the next five years, there has never been a more exciting time to join us.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a Senior Innovation Project Manager to lead from the front — driving cutting-edge engineering innovation across our Commercial, Engineering and Capital Delivery (CEC) functions.

This isn’t just project delivery. You’ll be shaping how innovation is identified, tested, scaled and embedded across a FTSE 100 organisation — directly contributing to carbon reduction, efficiency and future sustainability outcomes.

We are expanding our award-winning Innovation and Outperformance team at United Utilities, bringing together innovation, decarbonisation, and standardisation to drive step-change improvements in cost and carbon performance mainly focused on our c.£7bn capital programme.

Our team explores innovations that deliver value and drives the deployment of these solutions at scale to unlock outperformance against our ambitious targets.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and deliver a diverse portfolio of complex, multi-disciplinary innovation projects
• Take ideas from concept through to adoption, ensuring measurable benefits and real-world impact
• Drive efficiency, sustainability and carbon reduction outcomes across the business
• Inspire and mentor project managers, championing agile thinking and innovative approaches
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, shaping decisions and influencing outcomes
• Collaborate with external partners and funding bodies including Ofwat, Innovate UK and Horizon Europe
• Manage delivery across risk, governance, resources and commercial performance
• Promote innovation across the business, increasing visibility and adoption of new ideas
• Ensure outstanding Health & Safety performance, operating within CDM and DSEAR frameworks

What Makes This Role Different?

• Be at the forefront of a rapidly expanding international innovation programme
• Work on cutting-edge technologies and engineering solutions from around the World
• Influence strategic direction within a FTSE 100 organisation
• Play a key role in delivering sustainability and carbon reduction targets
• Work across internal teams, supply chains and leading external innovation partners

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a visionary project leader who thrives in complexity, brings energy to innovation and knows how to turn ideas into reality.

Essential:

• Degree qualified (or equivalent experience) in a technical or engineering discipline
• Chartered member of an industry recognised organisation
• Project management qualification (APM or equivalent)
• Proven experience delivering complex project portfolios
• Strong stakeholder management with experience influencing senior leaders
• Experience supporting bids or securing funding for projects
• Full UK/EU driving licence

What You’ll Get in Return

We recognise the value you bring — and reward it.

• 26 days annual leave (rising to 30) + bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme (up to 14% employer contribution)
• Performance-related bonus of up to 20%
• £5,000 car allowance
• Company-funded healthcare
• Flexible, hybrid working

You’ll also benefit from exceptional development opportunities, including:#

• APM Project Management qualifications
• Chartership support (CEng / IEng)
• Leadership coaching and mentoring
• Professional memberships and accreditations

Your Impact

Your work will directly support our ambition to build a more sustainable future, delivering innovation at scale and creating tangible benefits for customers, communities and the environment.

This is your chance to lead transformational change — not just projects.

Ready to Lead Innovation?

If you’re passionate about delivering impactful projects, shaping the future of engineering and driving meaningful change — we want to hear from you.

Apply now and be part of something bigger.