Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose
South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.
We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.
Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
We're looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Innovation & Asset Standards Lead to drive innovation across our organisation while ensuring our technical standards continue to support safe, efficient and future-ready asset management.
This is a unique opportunity to influence how a major infrastructure business evolves, connecting people, ideas and technology to solve some of the industry's most pressing challenges. You'll play a pivotal role in identifying, developing and scaling innovative solutions while maintaining the governance and standards that underpin the performance of our assets.
If you're passionate about innovation, collaboration and engineering excellence, we'd love to hear from you.
As our Innovation & Asset Standards Lead, you'll act as the central coordinator for innovation activity across the business, helping teams identify opportunities, secure funding and turn great ideas into practical outcomes.
You'll also own the technical standards framework that guides how assets are designed, constructed, commissioned and maintained, ensuring our standards remain current, practical and capable of supporting innovation.
Key responsibilities include:
Leading and coordinating the organisation's innovation portfolio
Developing and managing submissions for external funding opportunities, including innovation funds and research programmes
Building strong partnerships with universities, technology providers, industry bodies and supply chain partners
Supporting business units to develop innovation capability and scale successful solutions
Owning and continuously improving the company's technical standards framework
Ensuring standards reflect regulatory requirements, operational learning and industry best practice
Creating governance processes that balance technical assurance with innovation and flexibility
Championing modern methods of construction, digital engineering and emerging technologies
Reporting on innovation performance, benefits realisation and strategic outcomes
You'll bring a combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement skills, alongside a genuine passion for driving improvement.
We're particularly interested in candidates with:
Significant experience in engineering, asset management or technical leadership within a regulated utility or infrastructure environment
Experience leading or coordinating innovation programmes, portfolios or funding bids
Knowledge of innovation funding streams such as the Ofwat Innovation Fund, Innovate UK or similar programmes
Experience developing or managing technical standards, engineering governance or assurance frameworks
Strong partnership and stakeholder management skills across internal and external organisations
The ability to influence and engage a diverse range of audiences, from operational teams to executive stakeholders
Experience balancing innovation, risk and compliance in complex environments
Degree qualification in a relevant discipline
Chartered status, or working towards chartership, with a recognised professional institution (such as ICE, CIWEM, RICS, BCS or equivalent)
Understanding of asset management, risk management and resilience principles
Project or programme management qualifications or experience
Knowledge of asset management frameworks such as ISO 55000
Knowledge of information management standards such as ISO 19650
Understanding of the UK water regulatory landscape
This role offers the opportunity to leave a lasting impact across the organisation by shaping how innovation is developed, funded and embedded into everyday practice.
30 days annual leave + bank holidays
Bonus
Private Healthcare
Company car or cash for car allowance
Competitive contributory pension
Share-save scheme
Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes
Group discounts
Cycle to Work scheme
Financial support services
Development and training opportunities
… and much more!
Closing Date: 14th Aug 2026
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
