Innovation Project Manager

Thames Water; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water and wastewater company in the UK is looking for an experienced Project Manager to lead innovative projects, ensuring timely delivery and quality. This role involves managing project scope, risks, and resources while fostering stakeholder relationships. Candidates should have a strong background in project management and relevant certifications. The position offers a competitive salary between £50,000 and £60,000, along with generous benefits, including holidays, pension schemes, and health support. Hybrid working is available from Reading.

Benefits

Competitive salary

26 days holiday per year

Pension Scheme through AON

Health benefits and support programs

Qualifications

• Experience managing complex projects from initiation to closure.
• Strong understanding of engineering or technical disciplines.
• Experience with innovation or change management projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects across the innovation portfolio.
• Define and manage project scope and boundaries.
• Assess, mitigate, and manage project risks effectively.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Problem-solving

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Project management certification (e.g., PRINCE2, APM)

Tools

Microsoft Project

Asana

Jira

Job description

About the role

This exciting role is pivotal in driving innovation and as the Project Manager you will lead the implementation and execution of ground‑breaking projects, ensuring timely delivery within budget and to the highest quality standards. Your expertise will also be key in supporting the PMO’s research, development, and innovation initiatives. Through rigorous oversight and analysis, you will guarantee robust reporting, focusing on quality, time, cost, investment case review, and benefit tracking.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects and work streams across the innovation portfolio.
• Define and manage project scope, ensuring clear boundaries and effective change control.
• Proactively assess, mitigate, and manage project risks and issues.
• Optimise resource allocation across projects, including budget, personnel, and equipment.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards and implement quality assurance processes.
• Support project assurance reporting both internally and externally, and monitor through project reviews/health‑checks, making adjustments as necessary to ensure the successful completion of the project.
• Ensure the projects remain in scope and aligned to the innovation portfolio aims and goals.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement within the Innovation PMO, seeking opportunities to optimise processes and enhance efficiency.
• Stay informed about emerging technologies and industry trends relevant to Thames Water.

Location & Working pattern

Base location: Hybrid — Reading (STW) — RG2 0RP

Working pattern or hours: 36 hours, Monday–Friday (Please note this is a 10–12 month fixed‑term opportunity).

Eligibility – Essential criteria

• Demonstrable experience of successfully managing complex projects from initiation to closure, within budget and agreed timelines.
• Experience with projects involving a degree of innovation or change management.
• Extensive experience in building and maintaining strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including technical teams, business stakeholders, and senior management.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify and address complex challenges.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively communicate complex information to diverse audiences.
• A good understanding of engineering, science, or other technical disciplines related to Thames Water’s operations.
• Experience using project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Jira) to plan, track, and report on project progress.

Additional skills and experiences

• A recognised project management certification, such as PRINCE2 Practitioner, APM (Association of Project Managers), or equivalent.

Benefits

• Competitive salary from £50,000 to £60,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Access to a wide range of benefits to support health, wellbeing and finances, including annual health MOTs, physiotherapy and counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

About Thames Water

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people and the planet to thrive.

Working at Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments—whether that’s extra time, accessible formats or anything else—just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the front line as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.