At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic innovation team to drive sustainable solutions in infrastructure.
- Company: Join Sweco, a leader in transforming communities and tackling societal challenges.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and a range of employee perks.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative culture that values diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of water management and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading innovation and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 44100 - 53900 £ per year.
Job Description
We are gearing up for our most exciting and challenging Asset Management Period yet, known as AMP8, this will see us deliver a programme of work larger than we’ve ever delivered before.
We’ll be embarking on a new kind of project delivery focusing on nature-based solutions like wetlands and urban drainage schemes.
We are driving change, empowering us to set global benchmarks and build a better environment, with the opportunity to offer enhanced growth and development to our workforce.
We’re looking to build on our existing teams with an environment built for career progression.
With such an exciting portfolio of projects planned for AMP8 to keep the water flowing across the region, our ability to manage our work and outperform against our customer’s expectations will come under greater scrutiny.
We need aspiring driven talent to help us achieve our ambitious targets, are you ready to join us as we prepare to deliver the most creative and innovative AMP we have ever seen?
About Sweco
Transforming society together, we're planning and designing sustainable communities and cities of the future.
Solving the great societal challenges of our time is more relevant, demanding and inspiring than ever before.
At Sweco, we bring together experts with different perspectives and skills to develop solutions that address the challenges of urbanisation, harness the positive power of digitalisation and make societies more sustainable.
We offer our clients a combination of global expertise and local presence, adapted to their business and reality.
Our ambition is to be our clients’ most relevant partner, working together to help them solve their challenges, today and into the future.
To ensure we support our objectives of collaboration across the business whilst providing our workforce with the agility to achieve a healthy work/ life balance, we are asking our employees to have office or site presence on an average of three days a week.
What You'll Be Doing
As Innovation Team Leader, you will develop and deliver the AMP8 Innovation Strategy, ensuring innovative ideas are identified, trialled, evaluated and successfully adopted across the business.
You’ll work closely with teams across the alliance, the wider Anglian Water innovation ecosystem, supply chain partners, academia and industry bodies to find practical solutions to some of our biggest challenges.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership
- Lead and develop a high-performing innovation team, fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration and trust.
- Support team recruitment, succession planning, learning and development activities.
- Champion a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture across all innovation activities.
- Innovation Strategy & Delivery
- Collaborate with engineering, construction, delivery, carbon, procurement and performance teams to identify opportunities for innovation.
- Lead the identification, assessment and implementation of new technologies, products, materials and ways of working.
- Manage innovation trials from concept through to evaluation and adoption.
- Visit operational and construction sites to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.
- Monitor project progress, risks and benefits, ensuring robust governance and reporting.
- External Collaboration & Industry Engagement
- Build relationships with suppliers, universities, start-ups, research organisations and industry bodies.
- Attend conferences, exhibitions and industry events to identify emerging technologies and best practice.
- Collaborate with Anglian Water's Innovation Team and support delivery of Ofwat Innovation Fund projects.
- Commercial & Sustainability Focus
- Develop a strong understanding of the alliance commercial model and how innovation can drive improved outcomes.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs and support carbon reduction ambitions.
- Promote innovation success stories and share learning across the business.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong relationships across all levels of the alliance.
- Influence and engage stakeholders to secure support for innovation initiatives.
- Promote a culture where innovation and continuous improvement thrive.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with a passion for practical delivery.
Essential Experience & Qualifications
- Proven experience leading innovation initiatives from concept through to implementation.
- Experience identifying, trialling and adopting innovative solutions.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present ideas, risks and benefits to a wide audience.
- Experience working within engineering, construction, infrastructure or operational environments.
- Strong commercial awareness and business acumen.
- Degree qualified or equivalent industry experience.
Desirable Experience
- Water industry design and build experience.
- Engineering or technical background.
- Experience working within large-scale infrastructure programmes or alliance-based delivery models.
- Key Skills
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the resilience to overcome challenges.
- Strategic and tactical thinking.
- Ability to create and communicate a compelling vision.
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
- Comfortable managing change and driving adoption.
- Highly collaborative with excellent relationship-building capabilities.
- Passion for emerging technologies, innovation and continuous improvement.
Why Join Us?
This role offers the opportunity to influence the future of infrastructure delivery across one of the UK's most progressive alliances.
You'll be empowered to
- Lead innovation across a multi-billion-pound AMP8 programme.
- Work alongside industry-leading organisations and technical experts.
- Influence sustainability, carbon reduction and operational efficiency outcomes.
- Develop partnerships with innovators, universities and technology providers.
- Shape how the water industry approaches innovation for years to come.
- Employee Benefits
- Flexible and hybrid working (Flexworks Policy)
- Competitive pension contribution
- Life Assurance
- Private Medical Insurance
- Discretionary Annual Bonus Scheme
- Payment of two relevant professional subscriptions
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year)
- Cycle2Work Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme (wellbeing, mental health, financial and work advice)
- Employee discounts via Sweco Benefit Select (Faircare)
- Salary Sacrifice Electric Vehicle Scheme
• We plant a tree for all new starters!
A collaborative alliance, driving change. Empowering us to set global benchmarks and building a better environment for our customers. We strive to:
Empower our people; Delight our Customers; Embrace digital transformation; Deliver brilliance.
To bring environmental and social prosperity to the region we serve through our commitment to Love Every Drop we:
Build trust; Do the right thing; Are always exploring
Let's transform society together at Sweco.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
It's important to us that that all our colleagues thrive at work - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects the contribution individuals can bring to Sweco.
We aim to promote equality, inclusivity and diversity for everyone.
Here at Sweco we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity.
We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. To find out more .
We are an accredited Real Living Wage Employer which reflects our commitment to fair pay and support for all colleagues.
We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, and will interview applicants covered by the Equality Act 2010 that opt into the guaranteed interview scheme on the application form and meet the minimum criteria for the role.
If I have a disability, can I get help (e. g. “reasonable adjustments”) with the application process?
In order to address your request the following information is needed
- Name
- The best method for contacting you (Phone or email)
- The position title
- Requisition/vacancy number
Upon receipt of this information, we’ll respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.
Please note: we reserve the right to close vacancies before the advertised closing date.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Innovation Team Leader employer: Sweco
At Sweco, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that fosters professional growth and development. As a Principal Land Quality Consultant, you will enjoy flexible working arrangements, competitive benefits, and the opportunity to work alongside passionate experts dedicated to transforming society through sustainable solutions. Join us in a role that not only challenges you but also allows you to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Team Leader
✨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 Sweco.
✨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 Sweco.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Team Leader
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 Sweco 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 Sweco 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 Sweco
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Sweco, 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 Sweco 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 Sweco, 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.
