Public Affairs & Policy 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 (up to £63,000)
• Car Allowance
• Annual incentive related bonus (up to 10% of annual salary)
• Private health care (self only)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra wellness day!
• 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: Buttershaw / Hybrid Working (1-2 days in the office a week – Bradford)

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

We have an exciting opportunity for a Public Affairs & Policy Manager to join the Corporate Affairs 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 Corporate Affairs team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

Reporting directly to the Head of Corporate Affairs, the Public Affairs and Policy Manager will play a pivotal role in a dynamic and high-profile team. You’ll lead two team members—one focused on national and regulatory engagement, and another providing broad support across programmes, policy, and the wider Corporate Affairs function.

This role offers regular exposure to senior stakeholders, including the Chief Executive, Executive Team, and occasionally the Board. You’ll also collaborate closely with the Corporate Affairs Manager (Region) and contribute to strategic areas such as Health & Safety, Risk Management, Continuity Planning, Performance Excellence, and Compliance.

Where you fit in:

As our Public Affairs & Policy Manager you will:

• Working closely with the Head of Corporate Affairs, develop and lead an engagement strategy for national stakeholders, including politicians, regulators, think tanks, industry groups, and other key partners
• Serve as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, and provide escalation support when the Head of Corporate Affairs is unavailable
• Develop engagement strategies to build strong networks across national stakeholders
• Provide advice to senior leadership on national political events relating to the water sector
• Produce updates and reports for senior leadership and the Board
• Lead the development of external facing policy documents, as well as influencing strategies for individual policy areas
• Manage two members of staff focusing on national public affairs and policy creation
• Become a key member of the Corporate Affairs Leadership Team, supporting programme management, Board preparation, horizon scanning, team strategy development, and internal communications
• Represent the company as a senior spokesperson in public meetings with national stakeholders (e.g. MPs, APPGs, party staff), including events that may be broadcast
• Manage all national and regulatory communications, including updates to think-tanks, political parties, MPs and regulators

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Proven experience in a national public affairs role
• Strong track record in overseeing corporate-level policy development
• Significant experience in stakeholder engagement, including strategy design and delivery
• The ability to build strong relationships with external stakeholders
• Solid understanding of the water sector and its regulatory environment
• Confidence representing a high-profile organisation in public forums and with national stakeholders
• Skilled in identifying reputational risks and implementing mitigation strategies
• The ability to build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders across diverse organisations
• Experience contributing to or being part of a leadership team
• Comfortable engaging with company Board members and supporting Board-level reporting

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 Public Affairs and Policy Management 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. 

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.