Job number UU05864 Country United Kingdom Region Cheshire West and Chester Location name Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP Posting End Date 09/10/2026 Band 3 Role Type Permanent Work hours 37 Hours per Week Salary Competitive Salary
Shape the Future of Innovation in the North West
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 ideasEnsure 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
#J-18808-Ljbffr…