Research and Innovation Delivery Manager

About the Role

Sydney Water is seeking a passionate and experienced Research and Innovation Delivery Manager to lead and enable the end-to-end delivery of research, innovation and pilot projects across our organisation.

This is a leadership role where you will identify and translate complex business challenges into successful research and innovative initiatives. The role will oversee the delivery of projects in areas such as, but not limited to, asset condition management, water filtration, wastewater treatment, resource recovery and the circular economy, environmental protection and water quality. It will also champion the deployment of innovative solutions into business operations to improve customer and organisational outcomes

Our ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with a proven track record of delivering and embedding innovation projects in complex environments. You will bring strong stakeholder engagement skills to foster collaboration, thrive on solving complex problems, and lead cross-functional teams to deliver measurable results.

This role is critical to improving customer and business outcomes through the effective delivery of innovation projects and programs, leading initiatives across multiple teams and stakeholders while ensuring smooth project execution.

You will lead a small team and oversee the investigation, development, and delivery of innovative projects and solutions. In addition, you will design innovation and development frameworks that support the business development pipeline, manage market intelligence on emerging issues and innovations, and enhance the ecosystem by collaborating with external partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Drive Research and Innovation Plan: Translate Sydney Water’s broader strategy and Innovation, Research, and Deployment Plan into clear, actionable objectives for innovation and customer programs.

Lead Projects and Programs: Manage the full lifecycle of innovation initiatives, from challenge identification to design, implementation, deployment, and stakeholder management.

Project Management: Define project scope, timelines, quality, cost, resources, and risk management. Ensure projects stay on track, escalate when necessary, and deliver results.

Monitor and Report: Track key performance indicators (KPIs), including timelines, budget, ROI, issues, and risk mitigation. Provide regular updates through dashboards and reports.

Stakeholder Engagement: Identify, manage, and communicate with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and successful project delivery.

Procurement and Tendering: Lead competitive procurement processes and manage project requisitions to support project goals.

Collaboration and Integration: Work closely with internal teams to promote the uptake of innovation outcomes, driving the integration of new solutions into existing operations.

External Partnerships: Seek out and manage partnerships with external collaborators, including universities, government agencies, and industry experts. Leverage innovation investments to explore funding opportunities.

Commercialisation: Identify and advocate for opportunities to commercialize research and innovation outcomes, contributing to Sydney Water’s growth and success.

About you:

We are looking for a forward-thinking, results-driven leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is adept at balancing multiple priorities. You will have a proven track record in managing complex innovation projects, stakeholder relationships, and delivering practical solutions that drive business growth. Your strong communication and leadership skills will allow you to engage with diverse teams and external partners to bring new ideas to life.

• A degree in a relevant scientific or technical field, innovation, technology commercialisation, or a related discipline.
• Product development and/or Project Management qualifications with experience managing innovation programs or projects, ideally in the water industry or similar sectors.
• Strong people management and leadership capabilities, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and foster collaboration.
• Proven expertise in contract management, research and development, technology, and innovation.
• A solid track record in delivering innovation outcomes and integrating them into business-as-usual processes.
• Experience managing complex cross-functional projects involving diverse stakeholders with varying interests and priorities.
• Demonstrated success in building relationships and collaborating with external organisations, such as universities, government bodies, and industry professionals.

Dive into Our Great Benefits:

Competitive Remuneration: We will ensure that your skills and contributions are valued and rewarded appropriately.

Hybrid Work Environment: We offer a hybrid work model that balances remote work and office collaboration, supporting our team's productivity and well-being.

Continuous Professional Growth: We will invest in your career with leadership and development programs to propel your success.

24/7 Wellbeing Support: Access for you and your family to free and confidential mental health and general health support through our EAP portal.

Discounted Private Health Insurance: Unlock affordable access to top-tier health coverage with our discounted insurance plans.

Family First: Prioritise your family with up to 18 weeks of fully paid parental leave and a childcare allowance.

Fitness Passport: Achieve your physical fitness goals using our Fitness Passport, granting you access to a multitude of gyms and pools across NSW.

Novated Leasing: Get in the driver's seat of your financial future with our novated lease options.

Closing date: Monday 11th August at 11:59pm

Please advise if you require any adjustments to actively participate in the application and recruitment process. 

For any further information please contact sukriti.sharma@sydneywater.com.au

Please note as part of the application process, you will be asked to undergo background checks which includes a criminal history check and a medical assessment either online or in person.

You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of submitting your application to be considered for this role. 

Working at Sydney Water

At Sydney Water, we are passionate about making a difference to the lives of our customers and communities. We have a proud heritage and progressive future providing world class drinking water and services that are vital to our customers’ quality of life and safeguarding Sydney’s future. We see the world is changing, so we are changing too.

Our vision is to create better lives through world-class services, and we believe that starts with our people. Our people and their jobs are as diverse as the communities we serve. Our diverse skills, mindsets and backgrounds work together on exciting and challenging projects that make a difference and help ensure Sydney remains one of the most iconic and liveable cities in the world.

We welcome and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and veterans.

Please see the job profile for the role’s full accountabilities.