Innovation Team Leader

Anglian Water @one Alliance; Peterborough, Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

@one Alliance in the UK is seeking an experienced Innovation Team Leader to develop and deliver the AMP8 Innovation Strategy across the Anglian Water region. You will lead a high‑performing team, work with engineering, construction, procurement and academia to drive practical, scalable innovations from concept to adoption.

The role requires strong strategic thinking, excellent communication and stakeholder management, plus a track record of delivering innovation in large-scale infrastructure

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading innovation initiatives from concept through to implementation.
• Experience identifying, trialling and adopting innovative solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present ideas, risks and benefits to a wide audience.
• Experience working within engineering, construction, infrastructure or operational environments.
• Strong commercial awareness and business acumen.
• Degree qualified or equivalent industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing innovation team, fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration and trust.
• Develop and deliver the AMP8 Innovation Strategy across the alliance.
• Collaborate with engineering, construction, delivery, carbon, procurement and performance teams to identify opportunities for innovation.
• Lead identification, assessment and implementation of new technologies, products and ways of working.
• Visit operational and construction sites to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.
• Monitor project progress, risks and benefits with robust governance and reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Innovation delivery

Change management

Collaboration

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree qualified

Job description

Location: Peterborough / Norwich/ Hybrid with travel across the Anglian Water region
Contract type: Permanent,

We may offer part time/flexible working depending on the role requirements, this can be discussed openly at interview

Shape the Future of Water Infrastructure

At @one Alliance, we’re redefining how major infrastructure is delivered. As we embark on one of the UK’s largest and most ambitious investment programmes through AMP8, we’re looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Innovation Team Leader to help us challenge convention, embrace new technologies, and deliver industry-leading solutions.

About @one Alliance

The @one Alliance is a partnership of eight industry-leading organisations working together on behalf of Anglian Water to deliver over half of Anglian Water’s capital investment programme. Through collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to excellence, we’re transforming the way infrastructure projects are designed, built and delivered.

Our alliance partners combine their expertise to create better outcomes for our customers, communities and the environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

As Innovation Team Leader, you will develop and deliver the AMP8 Innovation Strategy, ensuring innovative ideas are identified, trialled, evaluated and successfully adopted across the business.

You’ll work closely with teams across the alliance, the wider Anglian Water innovation ecosystem, supply chain partners, academia and industry bodies to find practical solutions to some of our biggest challenges.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing innovation team, fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration and trust.
• Support team recruitment, succession planning, learning and development activities.
• Champion a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture across all innovation activities.

Innovation Strategy & Delivery

• Develop and deliver the @one Alliance Innovation Strategy for AMP8 and beyond.
• Collaborate with engineering, construction, delivery, carbon, procurement and performance teams to identify opportunities for innovation.
• Lead the identification, assessment and implementation of new technologies, products, materials and ways of working.
• Manage innovation trials from concept through to evaluation and adoption.
• Visit operational and construction sites to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.
• Monitor project progress, risks and benefits, ensuring robust governance and reporting.

External Collaboration & Industry Engagement

• Build relationships with suppliers, universities, start-ups, research organisations and industry bodies.
• Attend conferences, exhibitions and industry events to identify emerging technologies and best practice.
• Represent the @one Alliance as an innovation ambassador within the wider industry.
• Collaborate with Anglian Water’s Innovation Team and support delivery of Ofwat Innovation Fund projects.

Commercial & Sustainability Focus

• Develop a strong understanding of the alliance commercial model and how innovation can drive improved outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs and support carbon reduction ambitions.
• Promote innovation success stories and share learning across the business.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships across all levels of the alliance.
• Influence and engage stakeholders to secure support for innovation initiatives.
• Promote a culture where innovation and continuous improvement thrive.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with a passion for practical delivery.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience leading innovation initiatives from concept through to implementation.
• Experience identifying, trialling and adopting innovative solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present ideas, risks and benefits to a wide audience.
• Experience working within engineering, construction, infrastructure or operational environments.
• Strong commercial awareness and business acumen.
• Degree qualified or equivalent industry experience.

Desirable Experience

• Water industry design and build experience.
• Engineering or technical background.
• Experience working within large-scale infrastructure programmes or alliance-based delivery models.

Key Skills

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the resilience to overcome challenges.
• Strategic and tactical thinking.
• Ability to create and communicate a compelling vision.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Comfortable managing change and driving adoption.
• Highly collaborative with excellent relationship-building capabilities.
• Passion for emerging technologies, innovation and continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

This role offers the opportunity to influence the future of infrastructure delivery across one of the UK’s most progressive alliances.

You’ll be empowered to:

• Lead innovation across a multi-billion-pound AMP8 programme.
• Work alongside industry-leading organisations and technical experts.
• Influence sustainability, carbon reduction and operational efficiency outcomes.
• Develop partnerships with innovators, universities and technology providers.
• Shape how the water industry approaches innovation for years to come.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At @one Alliance, we know that diverse perspectives drive better outcomes and stronger innovation. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected and able to bring their whole self to work.

Closing date: 12 November 2026