Funding Bid Specialist

Job Description Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose \n \nSouth West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK's most stunning landscapes.\n \nWe'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.\n \nWhether you're starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.\n \nReady to make a splash?

Join our team today. \n CREWW Funding Bid Specialist Turn Research Excellence into Real-World Impact \n \nSouth West Water and the University of Exeter have joined forces to create the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW) , a pioneering partnership bringing together world-leading academic expertise and industry innovation to solve some of the biggest environmental and water challenges of our time.\n \nWe're now looking for an ambitious and commercially minded CREWW Funding Bid Specialist to help transform innovative ideas into funded projects that deliver measurable benefits for customers, communities and the environment.\n \nThis is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of one of the UK's most exciting industry-academic collaborations, helping secure investment for groundbreaking research in areas including AI, machine learning, nature-based solutions, water resilience and the transition to Net Zero.\n About the Role \n \nReporting to the CREWW Programme Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in converting the strengths of the CREWW partnership into funded innovation activity.\n \nWorking across both South West Water and the University of Exeter, you'll identify funding opportunities, build collaborative partnerships and lead the development of high-quality funding bids that translate research excellence into practical solutions.\n \nYou'll be a key connector between academia, industry and funding organisations, bringing together diverse stakeholders to develop ambitious projects that address strategic challenges facing the water sector.\n \nFrom developing compelling propositions and managing multi-partner bids worth up to £10m, to influencing senior leaders and engaging with innovation networks, you'll help drive forward projects that shape the future of sustainable water management.\n \nBeyond CREWW, you'll also contribute to the wider Pennon innovation agenda through the Pennon Innovation & Commercialisation Committee (PICC) , supporting broader innovation initiatives and identifying opportunities that create value across the Group.\n What You'll Be Doing \n \n Leading the development and submission of complex, multi-partner innovation funding bids worth up to £10m. \n Managing the entire bid development process from concept through to submission, covering technical, commercial and financial elements. \n Writing and coordinating compelling bid content that stands out to funding organisations and decision-makers. \n Acting as the key interface between South West Water and the University of Exeter's funding and bidding teams. \n Facilitating collaboration between academic, operational and commercial stakeholders. \n Translating research capabilities, operational challenges and funding opportunities into investable project concepts. \n Building and maintaining strategic partnerships across the water sector, academia, government and innovation ecosystems. \n Identifying external funding opportunities, with a particular emphasis on the Ofwat Innovation Fund. \n Representing CREWW at industry events, innovation forums and stakeholder meetings. \n Supporting the development of a long-term innovation funding pipeline aligned to CREWW and Pennon's strategic priorities. \n Contributing to wider innovation programmes and stakeholder engagement activities across the South West region. \n What We're Looking For \n \nWe're seeking a highly organised, proactive and influential individual with a passion for innovation and partnership working.\n \nYou'll be a confident communicator with the ability to engage and inspire stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds, bringing people together to develop ambitious projects and successful funding applications.\n Essential \n \n Experience working on large collaborative innovation funding programmes. \n Proven experience leading successful grant funding applications and bid development activities. \n Strong bid writing skills with a track record of securing external funding. \n Excellent organisational, influencing and negotiation skills. \n Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences. \n Experience facilitating collaborative project development involving