Project Development Manager 

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water: 

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (£50,622 - £63,277) 
• Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution) 
• Development opportunities in line with the Project Development Manager progression plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus 2 extra wellness days!
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary 
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.  
• Retail savings scheme  
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more! 

Location: This role will initially be based in Bradford but we’re moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you’ll be based there in the future - Hybrid Working (typically 1 -2 office day a week – plus ad hoc site visits)

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Development Manager to join the Energy Team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Could this be you?

What we do:

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity. New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. The Energy Team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.  

The Energy Projects team sits in Kelda, the parent company of Yorkshire Water, and is part of the wider Commercial Services Team. The team is accountable for delivering energy projects to meet the businesses’ aim of achieving 40% self-generation by 2030 whilst supporting the wider businesses targets around EV deployment, power resilience and heat recovery / use. This is achieved by delivering new assets and optimising existing assets. The team also support the wider business with exciting and innovative projects leveraging more value out of our assets, raw materials and waste products. The wider department is accountable for commercial and contractual arrangements across the supply chain and to deliver leading and world class contract management processes. 

Where you fit in:

As our Project Development Manager, you will:

• Identify and champion opportunities within the energy sector that can deliver value for Yorkshire Water and the wider Kelda Group. Develop robust business cases supported by market research, technical analysis, and evaluation of emerging technologies and innovative commercial models. 
• Act as the primary liaison with the Yorkshire Water Innovation Team, fostering strong collaboration and ensuring alignment between innovation initiatives and business objectives. 
• Engage with stakeholders across the organisation to understand operational challenges, uncover opportunities for improvement, and identify were innovative technologies, processes, or partnerships can drive tangible benefits. 
• Lead the development and implementation of a business-wide waste heat strategy, identifying opportunities to maximise energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and unlock value from existing assets. 
• Work collaboratively across departments to translate business needs into practical and innovative solutions, supporting the delivery of strategic and operational goals. 
• Build, nurture, and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, creating a culture of trust, collaboration, and shared success to enable the effective delivery of energy and innovation initiatives. 
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and market developments to ensure Yorkshire Water remains at the forefront of innovation and sustainable energy practices. 
• Promote a proactive and forward-thinking approach to problem-solving, encouraging the adoption of new technologies and innovative ways of working across the business.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Proven experience (3+ years) in renewable energy, heat or related areas, ideally within a regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of contracting and project development methodologies.
• Knowledge of electrical and heat infrastructure.
• Financial and commercial model development.
• The ability to translate commercial theory into understandable asset and commercial structures 
• Ideally knowledge of the UK water industry and its regulatory / engineering standards. 
• Experience supporting the delivery of energy related projects (though partners) are delivered safely on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Familiar with relevant health, safety, and environmental standards and regulations.
• The ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and contracts.
• Proficient use in Microsoft Office.
• Relevant qualifications in construction management, engineering, or related fields preferred

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy! Do we sound like your cup of tea?   

If you’ve got experience in Renewable Energy and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.   

Closing date for this role is the 14th of July 2026

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required. Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

No agencies please.