At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major water and wastewater infrastructure projects, ensuring technical feasibility and environmental value.
- Company: Public-sector organisation focused on sustainable water management.
- Benefits: Up to £70,000 salary, hybrid working, 25-30 days leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with excellent career growth and volunteering opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water infrastructure while shaping policies for a sustainable future.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in engineering, asset management, or business planning, preferably in the water sector.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Principal Level | Birmingham or London | Up to £70,000
Advance TRS is supporting a public-sector organisation with the appointment of a Principal-level Large Water & Waste Infrastructure Oversight Lead.
This is an opportunity for an experienced water industry professional to take a leading role in the oversight and development of major water and wastewater infrastructure schemes, helping ensure investment delivers the best outcomes for customers and the environment.
The position would suit someone with a background in engineering, capital programmes, asset management or business planning, who is comfortable working across technical, regulatory and policy areas.
The role
You will lead the oversight process for large-scale water and wastewater infrastructure schemes, supporting their continued development and ensuring they demonstrate technical feasibility, cost efficiency and environmental value.
Working closely with water companies, programme delivery teams, technical specialists, government departments and other regulators, you will provide technical direction, influence decisions and help shape the policies and processes supporting major infrastructure investment.
The role will also involve coordinating work across wider regulatory and investment processes, including asset improvement programmes, Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs), Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs), business plans, cost change processes and price control deliverables.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the gated process for major water and wastewater infrastructure schemes, including policy decisions relating to investment and programme delivery.
- Provide technical and engineering oversight, supporting the development of schemes and addressing key issues throughout the process.
- Build and maintain constructive relationships with water companies, programme delivery teams, technical specialists, government departments and partner regulators.
- Influence decisions and support the development of policy and processes to improve the delivery of major infrastructure investment.
- Coordinate cross-regulatory and cross-process work, aligning technical, programme and investment decisions.
- Support asset improvement processes, bringing together engineering, asset management, economics, assurance and regulatory stakeholders.
- Ensure relevant insights are aligned across water resources planning, drainage and wastewater planning, business plans and investment delivery frameworks.
- Manage a team of scheme leads and supporting specialists, providing direction on milestones, programme requirements, priorities and development.
- Contribute to wider directorate strategy and regulatory work as required.
About you
You will have relevant senior-level experience within engineering, science, capital programmes, asset management or business planning, ideally within the water industry.
You will also bring
- A good understanding of wider environmental issues and their relevance to the water sector.
- Experience of developing and implementing policy, or designing and delivering programmes of work and processes.
- The ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, influence decisions and deliver outcomes across organisational boundaries.
- Strong numerical and analytical skills, with experience leading complex technical analysis, critically evaluating the work of others and developing evidence-based recommendations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- The ability to lead change, adapt to evolving priorities and work collaboratively across different teams and organisations.
Candidates with experience in major water supply schemes, wastewater infrastructure, capital investment, engineering assurance, asset management or regulatory processes may be particularly relevant.
Salary and benefits
- Salary up to £70,000, depending on relevant experience and suitability.
- Fixed-term contract until 31 December 2027, with the possibility of extension or conversion to permanent.
- Birmingham or London office location.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
- 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus bank holidays and 2.5 additional privilege days.
- Civil Service pension arrangements.
- Professional membership fees paid.
- Up to three volunteering days per year.
- Development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and additional employee benefits.
- Important information
Salary: Up to £70,000
Contract: Fixed-term until 31 December 2027
Working arrangement: Hybrid and flexible
Closing date: 15 November 2026
Interview dates: Week commencing 30 November 2026
Interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams and will include a short presentation. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.
The appointment is subject to relevant Civil Service employment and security requirements.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Principal, Large Water & Waste Infrastructure Oversight Lead in London employer: Advance Training and Recruitment Services
Advance TRS is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where you can lead complex building projects across various sectors such as healthcare and education. With a strong focus on professional development, competitive benefits including profit sharing and private medical insurance, and a commitment to diversity, this multidisciplinary consultancy fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for ambitious project management professionals to thrive.
Contact Details:
Advance Training and Recruitment Services Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal, Large Water & Waste Infrastructure Oversight Lead in London
✨Get Hands-On with Temporary Projects
Temporary roles are all about flexibility and quick results. Look for short-term engineering projects or gigs that local companies might need help with. You can find these on job boards like Indeed or even niche platforms like PeoplePerHour. Don't be shy to reach out directly to firms—sometimes they have needs that aren't posted yet!
✨Tap into Engineering Meetups
Networking is key in engineering, especially for temporary positions. Check out local engineering meetups or hackathons relevant to your interests. Engaging with peers can lead to leads on temporary roles. Plus, it’s a sweet way to showcase your skills and passion in person—who knows who might be hiring at one of these events?
✨Leverage Your Connections
Let your friends and family know you're on the hunt for a temporary engineering role. Often, personal recommendations can get you in the door faster than any application. Share your goals and what you’re looking for through social media or casual conversations; you’d be surprised how many people might have the right connections!
✨Stay Sharp with Online Courses
While you're searching, keep those skills fresh! Take on some online courses related to your engineering field. Platforms like Coursera or edX can help you stay current and even get some certifications under your belt. This shows potential employers at Advance Training and Recruitment Services that you’re committed to growth, making you a more appealing candidate for temporary roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal, Large Water & Waste Infrastructure Oversight Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Versatile Engineering Skills:For a temporary engineering role like this one at Advance Training and Recruitment Services, make sure to showcase a broad range of your engineering skills. Talk about different projects you’ve undertaken, focusing on your problem-solving ability and adaptability—key traits for temporary positions that depend on quick integration into teams.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a temporary role, clarity is essential. In your cover letter, be upfront about your availability and how soon you can start. Employers like Advance Training and Recruitment Services want to know that you can hit the ground running, so don’t shy away from mentioning your flexibility!
Tailor Your CV to Showcase Relevant Experience:Make sure your CV is tailored to reflect the specific engineering projects relevant to the job. For instance, if you’ve worked on temporary contracts before or have engaged in diverse engineering processes, highlight these experiences to show how well-rounded you are.
Include References from Past Employers:Temporary positions often require trust and reliability. Adding references from previous employers can significantly boost your application. It shows that you have a strong work ethic and can adapt quickly, which is exactly what Advance Training and Recruitment Services will be looking for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance Training and Recruitment Services
✨Get to Grips with Your Technical Skills
Engineering roles often involve assessing your technical expertise, so be prepared to delve into your core skills. Brush up on relevant software and tools you’ve used before, as well as any engineering principles that relate to the position at Advance Training and Recruitment Services. We want you to showcase your hands-on experience and problem-solving capabilities – it could be the difference between you and another candidate!
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some practical scenarios during the interview. Whether it's a design challenge or a troubleshooting test, Advance Training and Recruitment Services might want to see how you approach real-world engineering problems. Think of specific examples from your past work where you had to think on your feet and be ready to walk your interviewers through your thought process.
✨Show Your Adaptability in Temporary Roles
Since this is a temporary position, it’s key to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to hit the ground running. Make sure to convey your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly to the team and the specific projects at Advance Training and Recruitment Services. We all know that temporary roles can be a bit of a whirlwind, so emphasise your quick learning skills and your approach to managing change.
✨Highlight Relevant Portfolio Projects
If you've worked on engineering projects that align with the role at Advance Training and Recruitment Services, make sure to bring them up! A portfolio can be a great way to illustrate your engineering prowess. Discuss the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved – this will give the interviewers a tangible idea of what you bring to the table.
