At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects to shape the UK's energy future with Sizewell C.
- Company: Join the Civil Works Alliance, a collaborative team driving clean energy solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, generous leave, and flexible benefits in a supportive environment.
- Other info: Diverse workplace culture that values creativity and encourages all voices.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable energy while developing your innovation skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or related field; experience in innovation and project management preferred.
The predicted salary is between 43718 - 53433 £ per year.
Help Shape the UKs Energy Future. Learn more about the general tasks related to this opportunity below, as well as required skills.
Innovation Manager Opportunity with the Civil Works Alliance (CWA), Supporting Sizewell C. As part of the CWA (Civil Works Alliance), you will support the building of Sizewell C. Sizewell C will be a 3.2-gigawatt power station generating low-carbon electricity for around 6 million homes and will play a key role in our energy future, supplying reliable, clean electricity for at least 60 years. This role will be within the CWA Wide Section.
What will you do?
- The Innovation Manager will support the development and delivery of the CWA Innovation Strategy, identifying, evaluating and implementing innovative solutions that improve safety, productivity, quality, sustainability and programme delivery.
- The role will manage a portfolio of innovation initiatives from opportunity identification and assessment through trial, implementation, benefits realisation and scale-up.
- Working across the Alliance and wider Sizewell C ecosystem, the Innovation Manager will collaborate with project teams, supply chain partners, academia, start-ups and technology providers to identify and deploy solutions that support the successful delivery of Sizewell C and maximise opportunities for smart replication.
- The role will also support the development of an innovation culture and capability across CWA through engagement, workshops, coaching and the application of structured innovation tools and methodologies.
This role requires proven expertise in innovation within large and complex civil engineering infrastructure, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries.
Key Responsibilities:
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the CWA Innovation Strategy and delivery roadmap.
- Identify and prioritise innovation opportunities aligned with CWA and Sizewell C strategic priorities, including safety, productivity, sustainability, quality, cost and programme performance.
- Manage a portfolio of innovation initiatives, providing end-to-end oversight from opportunity identification and evaluation through business case, trial, implementation, benefits realisation and scale-up.
- Develop robust business cases and value propositions for innovation initiatives, including expected benefits, costs, risks and implementation requirements.
- Support effective innovation governance, ensuring initiatives are evaluated, prioritised, approved and monitored through defined processes.
- Track and report innovation KPIs, benefits realisation and return on investment/value delivery.
- Conduct horizon scanning of emerging technologies, industry trends, research and regulatory developments relevant to nuclear and civil infrastructure.
- Facilitate cross-functional innovation workshops, challenges and sprints to identify problems, generate ideas and develop solutions.
- Collaborate with engineering, construction, digital, commercial, procurement and operational teams to pilot, evaluate, implement and scale successful innovations.
- Ensure innovation activities appropriately consider nuclear safety, health and safety, quality, cybersecurity, data protection, regulatory and assurance requirements.
- Engage the supply chain to identify and develop innovation opportunities and encourage knowledge sharing across Alliance partners.
- Build relationships with academia, start-ups, technology providers, industry bodies and innovation organisations to access external expertise and solutions.
- Identify opportunities for external innovation funding and collaborative R&D programmes, where appropriate.
- Support project teams in the application of innovation and problem-solving methodologies.
- Champion an innovation culture that encourages collaboration, experimentation, learning and continuous improvement.
What are we looking for?
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Project Management, or a related field. A master's degree is preferred.
- Experience in innovation, transformation, continuous improvement or technology implementation within construction, infrastructure or a related complex engineering environment.
- Proven track record of delivering innovation in large-scale, complex projects.
- Experience within nuclear, energy, infrastructure or another highly regulated environment is desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cultural change in multicultural environments.
- Professional certification in Innovation Management, Change Management, or similar (preferred).
- Strong digital and data literacy, with an understanding of emerging technologies such as AI, automation, digital engineering and data-driven solutions and their application within infrastructure delivery.
Key Competencies:
- Innovation portfolio and project management.
- Opportunity identification and problem definition.
- Business case development and benefits realisation.
- Technology assessment and implementation.
- Stakeholder engagement and influencing.
- Facilitation and workshop leadership.
- Commercial awareness.
- Data-driven decision making.
- Change management and adoption.
- Collaborative working across complex organisational boundaries.
What we will offer you?
The CWA is a single delivery organisation made up of the client (Sizewell C) and three parent companies - Balfour Beatty, Bouygues and Laing O'Rourke - which offer industry leading packages including market leading salaries, generous annual leave entitlements, pension scheme and other flexible benefits.
About Us
The CWA celebrates the creativity and innovation that comes from a diverse workforce, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds especially those from under-represented communities. Our project is built on five core values: Humility, Positivity, Respect, Solidarity, and Clarity. By joining us, you'll be encouraged to bring your whole self to work, speak up, and share your ideas. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
We are committed to protecting your privacy. If you decide to apply, please avoid including sensitive personal data in your CV.
Innovation Manager in Kesgrave employer: CWA: Civil Works Alliance
As a Technical Lead with the Civil Works Alliance, you will be part of a pioneering team dedicated to shaping the UK's energy future through the construction of Sizewell C. Our company fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, offering extensive employee growth opportunities and a commitment to sustainability that makes us an exceptional employer. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying the flexibility of remote work and the chance to contribute to a project that will provide clean electricity for millions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Manager in Kesgrave
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like CWA: Civil Works Alliance.
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like CWA: Civil Works Alliance.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Manager in Kesgrave
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at CWA: Civil Works Alliance that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at CWA: Civil Works Alliance and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at CWA: Civil Works Alliance
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at CWA: Civil Works Alliance, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show CWA: Civil Works Alliance that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At CWA: Civil Works Alliance, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
