Lingley Mere, Warrington (Hybrid) Permanent | Full Time Competitive Salary | Annual Bonus + £5,000 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 highly experienced Senior Innovation Project Manager with a strong technical and engineering background to lead the development, trial and deployment of innovative technologies across our Commercial, Engineering and Capital Delivery (CEC) functions.
This role is ideal for someone who combines strategic project leadership with the technical credibility to challenge, influence and guide engineers, operational teams, delivery partners and suppliers through the successful adoption of new solutions.
You will lead complex programmes that introduce emerging technologies into operational environments, taking innovation from concept and proof-of-value through to large-scale deployment. Working across a c.£7bn capital programme, you'll play a key role in delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, carbon reduction, operational performance and customer 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.
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, technically focused innovation projects and programmes
Take ideas from concept through to operational adoption, ensuring measurable benefits, scalability and real-world impact
Assess, challenge and validate emerging technologies, ensuring technical feasibility, operational suitability and value for money
Work closely with engineering, operational and capital delivery teams to successfully deploy innovative solutions into live operational environments
Manage pilot projects, proof-of-concept trials and large-scale deployments involving multiple stakeholders, contractors and suppliersProvide credible technical leadership and challenge to internal teams, consultants and technology partners
Drive efficiency, sustainability and carbon reduction outcomes across the business
Inspire and mentor project managers, championing agile thinking, innovation and continuous improvement
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, engagement and adoption of new technologies and ways of working
Lead the safe introduction of new technologies, processes and suppliers into operational environments, ensuring robust risk assessment and effective governanceEnsure outstanding Health & Safety performance, operating within CDM and DSEAR frameworks whilst maintaining the highest standards of operational safety
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
Lead the deployment of emerging technologies that will shape the future of infrastructure and utility operations
Solve complex engineering and operational challenges where there is no established playbook
Deliver innovations that create lasting impact across one of the UK's largest capital investment programmes
What we're looking for
We're seeking a visionary project leader with strong technical and engineering expertise who thrives in complexity, brings energy to innovation and knows how to turn ideas into reality.
Essential
Degree qualified (or equivalent experience) in an engineering, technical or scientific discipline
Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Chartered member of a recognised professional institution
Project management qualification (APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent)
Demonstrable experience introducing, trialling and deploying new technologies within operational, industrial or regulated environments
Strong technical understanding with the ability to evaluate engineering solutions, challenge assumptions and make evidence-based decisions
Experience managing multiple suppliers, contractors and delivery partners throughout the project lifecycle
Strong stakeholder management skills with experience influencing senior leaders and executive-level stakeholders
Experience supporting bids, securing funding or developing business cases for innovative projects
Demonstrable experience managing technical, operational and commercial risk within complex programmes
Full UK/EU driving licence
Operational Health & Safety Leadership
Proven experience managing Health & Safety risks within live operational, industrial, infrastructure or construction environments
Demonstrable understanding of CDM regulations and the governance requirements associated with introducing new technologies, equipment and supply chain partners
Experience leading projects involving operational interfaces, contractor management and the safe deployment of innovative solutions
Ability to identify, assess and mitigate technical, operational and Health & Safety risks associated with first-of-a-kind technologies and new working methods
Strong track record of embedding a positive safety culture whilst delivering complex programmes safely, on time and within budget
Desirable
Experience within utilities, water, energy, infrastructure, environmental services or similarly regulated sectors
Experience delivering innovation, R&D, technology deployment or digital transformation programmes
Knowledge of automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced analytics, digital solutions or emerging engineering technologies
NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent Health & Safety qualification
Experience working with innovation funding programmes such as Ofwat, Innovate UK or Horizon Europe
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:
#2 BEST EMPLOYEE WELLBEING
