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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects that make a real difference in water management.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in environmental initiatives and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of sustainability and drive impactful change in the utilities sector.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in project management with a passion for innovation and sustainability.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for professional development and volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 52000 £ per year.
Overview
Closing Date: 2025-10-10
Job Title: Innovation Project Manager(s)
Location: Falmer, West Sussex (1-2 days per week)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week
Salary: £48-52k, dependent on skills and experience
The Environment & Innovation team is at the forefront of Southern Water’s drive to enhance and protect the environment. Deploying the latest innovative solutions and working in partnership with our customers and stakeholders, the team takes an holistic approach to managing water quality and flow across the region. This is a fast-paced team that is now expanding to continue to deliver a larger programme of sustainable and innovative solutions that benefit our customers and the environment.
Two brand new positions have been created to join our Environment & Innovation team as Innovation Project Managers; a blend of delivery and technical subject matter expertise.
Job Responsibilities
- Responsible for developing and leading innovation projects which are aligned with the business priorities (water or wastewater). And ensuring that those projects drive innovation into the business.
- Technical assurance of potential concepts, ideas and projects.
- Development of project scope and plans.
- Managing budget, milestone, benefit tracking, risk, etc.
- Develop and maintain key relationships within the business to sponsor the innovation projects and develop adoption commitments for each project.
- Support the innovation lead with steering groups and technical working groups.
About You
- Minimum of three years relevant experience within project management.
- Commercial acumen with an innovative mindset.
- Experience delivering a portfolio of projects from conception to delivery.
- Experience within innovation / R&D functions.
- Experience in utilities (preferably water) with technical knowledge of water and/or wastewater operations, capital delivery and assets is desirable.
Package & Benefits
This role will be full time Monday to Friday with a hybrid approach to working from our Falmer office and home. We are offering a salary of between £48-52,000 as well as other benefits including:
- Generous pension up to 11% company contribution
- 25 days annual leave
- Life assurance equal to 4x salary
- Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
- Health Cash Plan
- Full funded eye tests
- Two paid volunteering days a year
- Occupational health service
- Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
- Digital GP service
- Study support may be available for job-related qualifications
- Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options
- Cycle to work scheme
Additional Information
Join our Environment & Innovation team and see how far your career could progress with a company committed to career progression, training and development opportunities, our customers and the environment. Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position.
Privacy Statement
Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application.
All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.
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Innovation Project Manager employer: Southern Water
Contact Detail:
Southern Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Project Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at Southern Water. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching recent projects or innovations at Southern Water. Show us you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about what we do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the Innovation Project Manager role. We want to hear how you can drive innovation and manage projects effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Innovation Project Manager role. Highlight your project management experience and any relevant skills that align with the job description. We want to see how your background fits with our innovative approach!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about innovation in the utilities sector and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on projects you've managed from conception to delivery, especially in innovation or R&D. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their commercial acumen and innovative mindset, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water
✨Know Your Innovation Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in water and wastewater innovation. Familiarise yourself with Southern Water's current projects and how they align with industry advancements. This will show your genuine interest and help you speak confidently about how you can contribute.
✨Prepare Your Project Examples
Think of specific projects you've managed that showcase your skills in innovation and project delivery. Be ready to discuss the challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the results achieved. Tailor these examples to highlight your commercial acumen and technical expertise relevant to the role.
✨Build Relationships in Mind
Since relationship management is key for this role, consider how you can demonstrate your ability to build and maintain partnerships. Prepare anecdotes that illustrate your experience working with stakeholders and how you secured buy-in for innovative projects.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the company’s goals. Inquire about the team’s current initiatives or future projects. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.