Head of Innovation

Job number UU05300 Country United Kingdom Region Cheshire West and Chester Location name Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP
Posting End Date 04/08/2026 Band 3 Role Type Permanent Work hours 37 Hours per Week Salary Competitive Salary

Head of Innovation

Salary – Competitive Salary + £5000 Car Allowance and comprehensive benefits package

Work Type – Hybrid (3 days a week office based)

Job Location – Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP

Role Type – Permanent

Employment Type

– Full Time

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long‑term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and contribution.

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, rising to 30 with service, plus 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 20% performance‑related bonus, plus recognition awards
• Company‑funded healthcare plan
• My Gym Discounts  – up to 25% off gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• Share Buy
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

United Utilities is entering one of the most transformative periods in its history — and innovation will be at the heart of how we deliver for customers, communities and the environment. As Head of Innovation, you will set the strategic direction for our innovation agenda and turn bold ideas into real‑world impact.

In this high‑profile leadership role, you will:

• Shape and execute a company‑wide innovation strategy that accelerates performance, resilience and digital transformation
• Bridge traditional engineering with emerging technologies to unlock new ways of working
• Build innovation capability across the organisation and supply chain, inspiring a culture of curiosity, experimentation and continuous improvement

This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of a major FTSE 100 utility and drive change at scale.

• Define and champion UU’s long‑term innovation vision, ensuring alignment with PR24 (2025–2030) and PR29 (2030–2035) business plans
• Translate strategic ambitions into clear, investable innovation pathways that deliver measurable value

• Lead UU’s participation in major funding opportunities, including the Water Innovation Fund and Water Efficiency Lab
• Oversee high‑value bids and cross‑sector collaborations that accelerate innovation delivery and leverage external investment
• Build and manage a balanced innovation portfolio — from disruptive early‑stage concepts to scalable, market‑ready solutions
• Ensure investments are commercially robust, strategically aligned and capable of delivering tangible outcomes

• Identify, source and pilot emerging technologies that address the sector’s biggest challenges, aligned to the Water Innovation Strategy 2050
• Drive adoption of solutions that enhance resilience, efficiency and customer experience
• Champion the use of AI, machine learning, digital twins and big data to transform asset management and predictive maintenance
• Accelerate UU’s digital maturity and embed data‑driven decision‑making across the organisation
• Promote a “fail fast, learn fast” culture that empowers teams to innovate and removes barriers to…