Innovation, Research & Development Co-ordinator

Taylor Woodrow; Watford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm is seeking an Innovation, Research & Development Coordinator to drive innovation in infrastructure projects. This role involves fostering an innovative culture, guiding teams from ideation to implementation, and managing R&D activities. A degree in a related field and some construction site experience are preferred. The position offers a full-time contract with flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Support for work-life balance

Qualifications

• A degree in a related field like construction, engineering, project management.
• Some experience of working on construction sites would be advantageous.
• Experience with dispersed teams and meeting deadlines is important.

Responsibilities

• Foster innovation and guide teams through the innovation process.
• Gather requirements, prepare business cases, and coordinate trials.
• Support the execution of the Digital & Innovation Action Plan.

Skills

Proactive communication

Collaborative working

Knowledge of R&D tax relief

Use of Microsoft 365 tools

Change management knowledge

Education

Degree in construction, engineering, or project management

Tools

Power BI

Power Apps

Job description

Innovation, Research & Development Co-ordinator

Business Unit: 5000 - VCML

Location: Watford

Job Role

Taylor Woodrow is seeking a proactive and collaborative Innovation, Research & Development Coordinator to help drive innovation across our infrastructure projects and centralise R&D activity. This is a unique opportunity to shape how we identify, trial, and scale new ideas, while also ensuring we maximise the benefits of UK R&D tax relief.

You’ll work across multiple teams and regions, connecting people and ideas, supporting trials, and helping turn innovation into business-as-usual. You’ll also lead the coordination of R&D evidence and submissions, ensuring our innovation efforts are well-documented and impactful.

Duties

• Foster an innovative culture by encouraging our teams to challenge the status quo, identify problems and opportunities, and explore new solutions
• Guide our teams through the innovation process, from ideation to implementation and scale.
• Gather detailed requirements, determine desirability, feasibility, viability and risk, coordinate trials, prepare business cases, and turn trials into business-as-usual.
• Organise and facilitate meetings and workshops to share problems, ideas, and industry trend, and deliver presentations.
• Support the development and execution of the Digital & Innovation Action Plan.
• Champion the use of the Horizon platform, providing training and support to users.
• Build connections across projects, regions, and teams to foster collaboration.
• Visit project sites and offices to engage with stakeholders and understand local needs.
• Attend internal and external events to engage with our teams and identify opportunities.
• Coordinate with vendors to learn about their products and commercial details.
• Identify opportunities to secure external innovation funding for relevant initiatives.
• Identify activities eligible for R&D tax relief and maintain accurate records.
• Collaborate with our teams to gather R&D evidence and ensure timely and accurate submissions to HMRC.

Measures of Success

• Secure external innovation funding and build strategic relationships.
• Maintain and submit R&D tax relief records accurately and on time.
• Develop and trial innovative solutions, including requirements, feedback, and business cases.
• Connect project teams to collaborate and scale successful innovations.
• Champion Horizon, ensuring teams are supported and actively using the platform.

Person Specification

• A degree in a related field e.g. construction, engineering, project management. Other qualifications would be considered.
• Some experience of working on construction sites would be highly advantageous
• Experience of working with dispersed teams and delivering to deadlines.
• Experience in a cross-business/region project/business role and with a wide/varied workload.
• Knowledge of change management models, agile, design thinking, and/or lean start-up would be advantageous.
• Use of Microsoft 365 tools. Knowledge of Power BI and Power Apps would be advantageous.

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time - 37.5 hours - Monday to Friday

Fairness Inclusion & Respect

Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) at Taylor Woodrow is about recognising and celebrating each other’s differences and what they bring to the team.

Harnessing this diversity and applying the experiences, abilities and unique qualities of individuals will enhance our business; therefore, we commit to equity of opportunity and fair treatment of all current and potential employees and encourage job applications from all.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the application process please contact us directly.

Taylor Woodrow recognises the importance of helping our employees balance their work and home life by offering flexible working arrangements across many of our roles which include working from home to enable employees to balance their working life with other priorities.