Innovation Funding Bid Manager

United Utilities; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization focused on innovation in water efficiency. This role emphasizes bid management and securing external funding, particularly through the Ofwat Innovation Fund. You will lead the bid-writing process, collaborating with internal and external experts to craft compelling proposals. With a commitment to sustainability and community benefit, this position offers the chance to make a real impact while enjoying a supportive work environment and a range of attractive benefits.

Benefits

26 days annual leave

Up to 14% employer pension contribution

10.5% performance-related bonus

Comprehensive healthcare plan

Gym and wellness discounts

Employee Assistance Plan

Enhanced parental leave schemes

Qualifications

• Significant experience in writing bids and grant funding applications.
• Ability to simplify complex technical concepts into compelling proposals.

Responsibilities

• Own the bid-writing process from concept to submission.
• Forge relationships with funding bodies and support organizations.
• Coordinate subject matter experts for content.

Skills

Bid writing

Grant funding applications

Financial acumen

Influencing skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Degree in relevant subject

Relevant professional experience

Job description

Job number UU02735 Country United Kingdom Region Cheshire West and Chester Location name Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP Posting End Date 14/05/2025 Band 4a Role Type Permanent Work hours 37 Hours per Week Salary Competitive Salary

Salary- Competitive Salary
Work Type- Hybrid
Job Location- Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP
Role Type- Permanent
Employment Type- Full Time
Working Hours- 37.0 Hours per Week

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 value contribution.

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on 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
• ShareBuy
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Job Purpose

Exploring and adopting new ideas can be de-risked with external funding.

United Utilities has a track record of creating partnerships that have successfully bid and won external funding - increasing our innovation portfolio.
We now want to increase our efforts and tap into the opportunity of external funding especially the Ofwat Innovation Fund.
This role is focussed on expertise of bid management and leads on co-ordinating resources and securing approvals to write bids and win external funding for new innovation projects.

Priority is to connect to Ofwat Innovation funding for AMP8 (innovation and water efficiency) so collaboration with other water companies and innovators is key.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Own the overall bid-writing process from concept to approvals to submission – including technical, commercial and financial aspects - and writing some aspects personally
• Define and gain Executive approval for the process and governance for accessing and applying to external funding opportunities – and confirm partnering strategy on funding bids
• Forge strong relationships with funding bodies and support organisations, build a network of people in UU and outside across industry and academia
• Working within UU to source candidate ideas suitable for bidding
• Coordinate subject matter experts inside and outside of UU for content

Technical Skills & Experience

• Significant experience of writing bids and grant funding applications
• The ability to turn complex technical concepts into simplified, compelling proposals
• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills, ability to adapt negotiating style to audience
• High level of financial acumen
• Experience in evaluation, interpretation and preparation of budgets, business cases

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• Degree in relevant subject or relevant professional experience
• Must have valid driving licence

About the Team

The Innovation Team are based at Lingley Mere, Warrington in the dedicated Innovation Centre.
The Team plays a leading role to:-

• De-risk investment / tap into the Ofwat Innovation Fund (>£425 million in AMP8)
• Co-ordinate a portfolio of innovation investments to deliver >£60m value in AMP8; connecting to c.50 subject matter experts, 45 leaders and Executives
• Provide impactful insights to key departments on new ideas and their relevance
• Use innovation performance to protect and enhance the company’s reputation - and
• Lead employee innovation programmes including the CEO Challenge programme for early career employees

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.