Innovation Portfolio Manager

Northumbrian Water; North East; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company in North East England is seeking an experienced Innovation Portfolio Manager to deliver complex projects. The role requires significant project management experience, strong stakeholder engagement, and expertise in agile methodologies. This position enjoys a generous holiday entitlement, pension scheme, and various wellbeing support options, making it a fantastic place to work.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement starting at 26 days

Company pension scheme with double matching

Wellbeing support including digital GP access

Discount scheme for days out and shopping

Support for development opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant experience in delivering business-critical projects.
• Strong grasp of both traditional and agile methodologies.
• Ability to interpret customer requirements into effective delivery solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovation projects using agile and waterfall methodologies.
• Manage risks, issues, and vendor relationships effectively.
• Provide regular updates on progress to senior management.

Skills

Agile methodologies

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Vendor management

Project management

Job description

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We are looking for an Innovation Portfolio Manager to join us within our Innovation team, to be at the forefront of delivering complex innovation projects using both agile and waterfall methodologies.

You will lead from inception to closure, ensuring that each initiative meets its vision and key performance indicators across time, cost, and quality.

Your role will involve planning, leading, organising, and motivating agile project teams, while fostering strong relationships with senior stakeholders, and you will be responsible for managing risks and issues, vendor relationships, and ensuring effective communication across technical and non-technical audiences.

You’ll also promote agile frameworks and product-focused delivery, occasionally stepping into Scrum Master duties when needed, and regular reporting to senior management and product managers will be a key part of your responsibilities, providing clear updates on progress, risks, and financials.

This role is known internally as Project Manager (2)

About you

You will bring significant experience in delivering business-critical projects at scale, with a strong grasp of both traditional and agile methodologies.

Your background includes leading multidisciplinary teams, managing external suppliers, and navigating complex financial and contractual landscapes.

You are adept at interpreting customer requirements into effective delivery solutions and have a deep understanding of the regulatory and political environment in which the business operates.

Your skill set includes excellent organisational and communication abilities, stakeholder and vendor management, and a strong command of agile principles.

We are looking for a collaborative leader who thrives in a data-driven environment, values quality, and embraces innovation and change. Your approach is customer-first, and you’re motivated to continuously learn and grow.

Here at Northumbrian Water/Essex & Suffolk Water, we embrace and value Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, and encourage all colleagues to bring their most authentic self to work.

Our colleague network groups include our Rainbow Support Network (LGBTQIA+), REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), WiSTEM (Women in STEM) and Thisability (disability and neurodiversity) networks. They provide a safe space for colleagues from diverse backgrounds, welcoming all colleagues regardless of their personal characteristics to participate in valuable conversation that improves our organisational awareness, understanding and inclusivity.

We encourage and welcome all applications, as we strive to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to having diverse communities represented within all our teams, structures, and organisation.

Please note this role will require a DBS to be completed prior to employment

NWG are an inclusive employer who support the rehabilitation of offenders, we will not, however consider candidates who have certain unspent convictions to ensure our commitment to fostering a safe and secure working environment for all OR colleagues, suppliers, customers and third parties.

About us

Here are NWG we strive to make Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) a Great Place to Work, for all. We embrace and value Diversity, Inclusion and Equity and encourage you to bring your full self to work. As an equal opportunity employer we’re committed to having a diverse community represented across our business.

We’re aware that not everyone will have every skill listed in the job description, however if you have some of the skills listed, we'd encourage you to apply

NWG at a glance:

Our purpose at NWG is caring for the essential needs of our communities and environment, now and for generations to come.

We do this by providing reliable and affordable water and wastewater services for our customers.

We make a positive difference by operating efficiently and investing prudently, to maintain a sustainable and resilient business.

Our vision is to be the national leader in the provision of sustainable water and wastewater services. To support us in achieving our vision, we have five core values which are the guiding principles, defining who we are, what we do and how we do it.

We’re a Great Place to Work because of the amazing people who work for us, and to say thank you we offer a range of benefits to colleagues. Our ‘Tap Into’ benefits include:

• Generous holiday entitlement starting at 26 days, plus bank holidays and additional time off on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. There’s also the option to buy or sell holidays.
• Company pension scheme, where we’ll double match your contributions up to an employer contribution of 11%.
• Free access to local attractions.
• A fantastic discount scheme, with savings on days out, shopping, travel and more.
• Award winning ‘Living Well’ wellbeing support, including access to a digital GP service for you and your family members.
• Support with sustainable travel – through salary sacrifice cars and a cycle to work scheme.
• Financial wellbeing support – access our community savings scheme, financial education and low cost loans through Salary Finance. We also provide 4 x Life Assurance and an Income Protection Scheme.
• Support with your development – we offer a range of development opportunities, can support you through an interest free qualification loan and we’ll even pay for any relevant professional body subscription.