River Health Investigation and Engagement Lead

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 from £41,133.

•    A company car benefit as per our Business Needs User criteria.

•    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 River Health Investigation and Engagement Lead progression plan.

•    25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra wellness day!

•    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.  This role will involve also hybrid working and travel across our sites will be expected.

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

We have an exciting opportunity for a River Health Investigation and Engagement Lead to join the River Health 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. River Health are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

The River Health Investigation & Engagement Lead supports the strategy by taking a key role in the vision of A Thriving Yorkshire; right for customers and right for the environment. With river health more of a focus than ever, it is essential that we engage with our customers and stakeholders to build trust in Yorkshire Water's operations that could impact on the health of our rivers.

By taking a joined-up approach both internally and externally, the role will be a positive face of the company promoting good work and working in partnership to resolve complex issues. Wherever possible, solutions will focus on improving asset performance, processes, and feeding into larger scale solutions.

The role will also take a 'boots on the ground' approach to river health, reinforcing those external connections and showing we're better together, working across organisations to improve River Health across Yorkshire.

Where you fit in!

As our River Health Investigation and Engagement Lead you will;

•    Manage community relations, including responding to community concerns and resolving issues.

•    Proactively manage reputational risks and seek to work collaboratively with communities, right from understanding root causes through to supporting delivery of solutions, ensuring projects can be delivered on time, to budget and with a great customer experience.

•    Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, such as local government, businesses, and community groups.

•    Manage consultation with stakeholders on schemes, providing advice and managing conflicting aspirations to ensure the successful delivery of river health improvements.

•    To identify opportunities for research and research supervision to benefit Yorkshire water customers and deliver improvements to river water quality.

•    Complete investigations into complex River Health impacting issues and contribute to the resolution of these by using effective networks within YW operational teams and external partnerships.

•    Participate in and promote citizen science and volunteering opportunities related to the improvement of River Health.

•    Act as a representative of Yorkshire Water at community events and meetings.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

•    Be able to lead engagement with community groups and external stakeholders by managing the River Health inbox, maintaining a timely response and feedback loop, and building strong, collaborative partnerships.

•    Participate in and represent Yorkshire Water at community projects, engagement events, education sessions, and meetings with local action groups to promote river health initiatives.

•    Conduct on‑site investigations into the impact of Yorkshire Water assets on river health, supporting operational teams with complex cases and identifying issues reported through tools such as the Adopt an Outfall app.

•    Apply strong scientific, engineering, or wastewater knowledge to identify root causes, assess operational impacts, and trial innovative blue/green solutions outside the capital programme.

•    Manage multiple priorities and stakeholders with professionalism, balancing community interests, operational constraints, environmental outcomes, and business needs.

•    Lead or support key river‑health projects with effective project management skills, ensuring timely delivery of business‑critical initiatives and contributing to behavioural and cultural improvements across teams.

•    Champion Yorkshire Water’s River Health Team by promoting internal and external awareness, producing the quarterly River Health newsletter, and embedding positive environmental practices.

•    Hold a full UK driving licence and be confident working across Yorkshire Water sites, with broad knowledge of the water industry, wastewater operations, service delivery, and environmental performance.

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 these areas 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.

Closing date for this role is 13th April.

Interviews will potentially be held 22nd, 23rd and 24th April.

No agencies please.