Innovation Investment & Foresight Strategist

Dwr Cymru Cyf; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Variable pay

Additional annual leave

Pension contributions

Mortgage broker service

Family-friendly policies

Training and mentoring

Gym discounts

Cycle to work

Job summary

Dŵr Cymru Cyf (Welsh Water) is seeking a Senior Innovation Investment Lead to drive external funding and a pipeline of investment‑ready opportunities. You will translate regulatory, environmental and societal trends into practical proposals and collaborate with key partners to maximise funding success.

You will develop business cases, support funding bids, and coach colleagues on bid writing, while maintaining relationships with funders and regulators to ensure strategic fit and value delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience developing external funding submissions or investment/business cases.
• Ability to gather and analyse complex evidence from multiple sources.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to shape proposals.
• Experience writing for senior stakeholders and governance papers.
• Experience building trusted relationships with funders, regulators or partners.
• Familiarity with governance, portfolio, funding or change environments.
• Understanding of innovation funding, benefits management or change in regulated sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovation investment and external funding activity aligned to priorities.
• Coordinate a cross‑business pipeline of opportunities and funding routes.
• Lead horizon‑scanning and translate trends into opportunities.
• Develop standards and QA processes for funding submissions.
• Provide evidence and recommendations to senior leaders and governance forums.
• Develop funding submissions and investment proposals meeting governance requirements.
• Support innovation investment readiness forums and communities of practice.
• Coach colleagues on bid writing, evidence, benefits articulation and narratives.
• Build relationships with Ofwat, universities, suppliers and partners.
• Maintain reporting on funding secured, pipeline, and benefits realization.

Skills

Funding submissions

Investment readiness

Evidence building

Stakeholder communication

Proposal development

Education

Degree level qualification or equivalent

Job description

Dŵr Cymru Cyf (Welsh Water) is seeking a Senior Innovation Investment Lead to drive external funding and a pipeline of investment‑ready opportunities. You will translate regulatory, environmental and societal trends into practical proposals and collaborate with key partners to maximise funding success.

You will develop business cases, support funding bids, and coach colleagues on bid writing, while maintaining relationships with funders and regulators to ensure strategic fit and value delivery.