At a Glance
- Tasks: Build strong relationships with stakeholders and support major water infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join Anglian Water, a leader in environmental and social prosperity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, private healthcare, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for ongoing learning and career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities and the environment through strategic engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in stakeholder engagement and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 52000 € per year.
Location: East or West Anglian Water region (field-based with hybrid working)
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum depending on experience
Permanent Full-time - 37 hours, with flexibility for part time
About the role
At Anglian Water, our purpose is to bring environmental and social prosperity to the region we serve through our commitment to Love Every Drop. With an £11bn investment programme planned for AMP8, we’re delivering some of the most significant water infrastructure projects in the UK — and strong, trusted relationships sit at the heart of making that happen. We’re looking for a Relationship Lead to act as the strategic point of contact for stakeholder engagement across either the East or West of our region. This is a newly created role, designed to strengthen how we engage with landowners, communities, local authorities and partners as we deliver major capital programmes. You’ll be the “eyes and ears” on the ground — building trust, understanding local priorities, identifying risks and opportunities, and ensuring stakeholder insight directly informs project delivery and decision-making. If you’re excited by the idea of shaping long-term relationships while supporting nationally significant infrastructure, this is a chance to make a genuine impact.
What you’ll be doing
- Regional relationship management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, parish councils, community groups, businesses and other key stakeholders across your allocated area.
- Own stakeholder relationships within the region, ensuring regular, meaningful engagement.
- Act as a local intelligence lead, identifying emerging issues, sensitivities and opportunities.
- Capital project awareness and support
- Maintain a clear understanding of all capital projects in your area, including timelines, impacts and engagement needs.
- Provide relationship and engagement insight to project teams to support effective delivery.
- Attend project meetings and escalate risks, issues and opportunities where appropriate.
- Engagement planning and delivery
- Develop and deliver stakeholder engagement plans aligned to programme and corporate priorities.
- Support consultations, forums, community liaison activity and wider corporate engagement.
- Create tailored engagement materials including presentations, briefings and other communication materials.
- Organise and facilitate engagement activities such as workshops, public meetings and stakeholder briefings.
- Work closely with Brand & Communications colleagues to align engagement and communications activity.
- Capture stakeholder insight and feedback to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Risk, insight and reporting
- Identify and manage local risks and constraints that could impact delivery or reputation.
- Record and analyse engagement activity, feedback and outcomes, ensuring robust reporting and data compliance.
- Contribute to lessons learned and continuous improvement across stakeholder engagement practices.
What you’ll need
- Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, relationship management, public affairs or community liaison.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the confidence to engage diverse audiences.
- Ability to manage relationships independently across a defined geographic area.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
Desirable
- Experience supporting capital delivery or major infrastructure programmes.
- Knowledge of statutory engagement processes (e.g. planning or consent-led projects).
- Understanding of the water industry or local government landscape.
Why join Anglian Water?
- We’re proud to offer a supportive, flexible and purpose-led working environment.
- Our benefits include:
- Competitive salary and annual performance bonus
- Generous pension scheme
- Private healthcare and wellbeing support
- 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (with the option to buy more)
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Ongoing learning, development and career progression opportunities
- The chance to work on projects that make a real difference to communities and the environment
Inclusion at Anglian Water
Inclusion is for everyone and we are an equal opportunity employer, which means we’ll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we’re committed to creating an environment where all our colleagues feel they belong.
Closing date: 12th February 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 23rd February 2026
Relationship Lead in Northampton employer: Anglian Water Services
Anglian Water is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible working environment that prioritises both personal and professional growth. With a competitive salary, generous benefits including private healthcare and a robust pension scheme, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on local communities and the environment through significant infrastructure projects. The company fosters a culture of inclusion and continuous development, ensuring that every team member feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive in their career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Relationship Lead in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Anglian Water's projects, values, and community impact. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend local events or forums related to water management and stakeholder engagement. This is a great way to meet potential colleagues and get a feel for the community you'll be working with.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Relationship Lead. Highlight your skills in relationship management and stakeholder engagement to make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Anglian Water and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Relationship Lead in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in stakeholder engagement and relationship management. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Relationship Lead, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant examples!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for the water industry and community engagement shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference, so share why this role excites you and how you can contribute to our mission.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we appreciate strong communication skills, so show us you can convey your thoughts effectively!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Anglian Water Services
✨Know Your Stakeholders
Before the interview, research the key stakeholders in the Anglian Water region. Understand their priorities and concerns, as well as how they relate to the role of a Relationship Lead. This will show your potential employer that you’re proactive and genuinely interested in building those crucial relationships.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
As a Relationship Lead, strong communication is essential. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully engaged with diverse audiences. Be ready to discuss how you tailored your communication style to suit different stakeholders, showcasing your adaptability and interpersonal skills.
✨Showcase Your Project Awareness
Familiarise yourself with current and upcoming capital projects in the region. Be prepared to discuss how you would support these projects through effective stakeholder engagement. Highlight any relevant experience you have in managing similar projects or understanding statutory engagement processes.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and relationship management skills. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and readiness to tackle real-world issues in stakeholder engagement.
