The Innovation Technical Manager will play a key role in the Fast Track Innovation Programme, focused on delivering measurable ODI improvements — including reducing pollution risk, reducing wastewater spills, and improving water quality. This role will lead the delivery of data-driven insights, digital tools, and physical trials, ensuring innovative concepts are rapidly developed, tested, and scaled to deliver tangible business value. Working at the intersection of technology, data science, and operations, you will manage agile delivery teams in a fast-paced, experimental environment.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead agile, cross-functional teams delivering digital and data science solutions across the Fast Track Innovation Programme.
- Drive adoption of agile delivery frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe), ensuring best practice sprint planning, retrospectives, and continuous improvement.
- Create an environment that supports rapid experimentation, learning, and iteration.
- Own end-to-end project delivery, managing scope, timelines, budgets, risks, and dependencies.
- Track and report progress against milestones, benefits, and KPIs, ensuring alignment with AMP 8 ODI objectives.
- Ensure robust governance while retaining pace and flexibility appropriate to innovation projects.
- Collaborate closely with data scientists, developers, business SMEs, operational teams, and external partners.
- Act as a trusted interface between technical teams and business stakeholders, translating complex insights into actionable outcomes.
- Proactively identify and remove blockers, enabling teams to deliver effectively.
Key skills/knowledge/experience:
- 8–10 years’ experience managing agile projects, ideally within innovation, data, digital, or operational environments.
- Demonstrable experience leading fast-paced, experimental, or innovative projects.
- Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams.
- Strong understanding of agile delivery frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe).
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and facilitation skills.
- Ability to translate technical concepts into business outcomes.
Good to Have:
- Experience within the water industry, utilities, or regulated environments (preferred but not essential).
- Exposure to data science, analytics platforms, digital products, or IoT-enabled solutions. · Experience delivering projects aligned to regulatory or performance commitments (e.g. ODIs).
Person specification:
- Collaborate with customers and stakeholders.
- Grow your career, while being exposed to new technologies.
- Lead projects and inspire both colleagues and stakeholders.
- Mentor junior employees using your expertise