At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Water Quality function and ensure safe drinking water delivery.
- Company: Join Bristol Water, a leader in the UK water sector since 1846.
- Benefits: Generous leave, bonus plan, health support, and development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community health and drive environmental change.
- Qualifications: Experience in water quality and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 € per year.
At Bristol Water, we've been serving generations of families since 1846. Ensuring people in our communities have access to healthy water is paramount, which is why we work around the clock testing our water hundreds of times a day.
We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals include lowering our carbon footprint, planting 300,000 trees, restoring peatlands, and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
We're looking for an experienced and passionate Water Quality Manager to join us on a 12-month maternity cover basis, leading our water quality function across the Bristol Water operating region. This is a critical leadership role where you'll ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water from source to tap, protecting public health while driving continuous improvement and regulatory excellence.
You'll play a key part in shaping and delivering our water quality strategy, leading a high-performing team, and building strong relationships with regulators and stakeholders.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead and develop the Water Quality function, including Water Regulations
- Ensure compliance with all drinking water quality standards and regulatory requirements
- Provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership across water quality activities
- Champion a Drinking Water Safety Planning (DWSP) approach
- Investigate and report on water quality incidents and risks
- Build strong relationships with regulators, public health bodies, and industry groups
- Shape and deliver short-, medium-, and long-term water quality strategies
- Contribute to investment decisions to mitigate emerging risks and improve performance
- Support water quality aspects of operational changes and new schemes
- Provide expert advice during incidents and out-of-hours situations
- Lead, coach, and empower a high-performing technical team
What we're looking for:
- Significant experience in water quality, environmental science, or related technical discipline
- Strong background in regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement
- Proven leadership experience managing technical or scientific teams
- Experience operating within a regulated environment
- Track record of delivering change, continuous improvement, and team development
Qualifications & Skills:
- Degree (or higher) in a relevant scientific discipline
- Strong understanding of water quality legislation, treatment, and distribution
- Excellent communication, influencing, and analytical skills
- Logical, evidence-based approach to problem solving
- Full UK driving licence
- Desirable: Chartered status (or working towards) or membership of relevant bodies (e.g. CIWEM, IWA, RSC)
What's in it for you:
- Generous annual leave + bank holidays
- Bonus Plan
- Company car or cash for car allowance
- Competitive contributory pension
- Share-save scheme
- Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes
- Group discounts
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Financial support services
- Development and training opportunities
- ... and much more!
Closing Date: 3rd June 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Water Quality Manager Bristol Water employer: Bristol Water
At Bristol Water, we pride ourselves on being a purpose-driven employer dedicated to providing safe and high-quality drinking water to our communities. Our supportive work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering extensive benefits such as generous annual leave, health and wellbeing support, and development opportunities. Join us in our mission to create a greener future while enjoying a fulfilling career in a collaborative environment that values diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Water Quality Manager Bristol Water
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the water quality sector, attend industry events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Bristol Water's values and recent projects. Show us that you're not just interested in the role but also passionate about our mission to provide safe drinking water and protect public health.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to leadership and regulatory compliance. We want to see how you handle challenges and lead a team effectively, so be ready to share your experiences!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Bristol Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Water Quality Manager Bristol Water
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Water Quality:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for water quality shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your commitment to ensuring safe drinking water and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Water Quality Manager role. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you understand what we’re looking for and how your skills align with our needs.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:Since this is a leadership position, don’t forget to showcase your experience managing teams. Share examples of how you’ve led projects or initiatives, and how you’ve empowered your team to achieve their best.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Bristol Water!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bristol Water
✨Know Your Water Quality Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest water quality regulations and standards. Familiarise yourself with the Drinking Water Safety Planning (DWSP) approach, as this will likely come up in your interview. Being able to discuss specific examples of how you've ensured compliance in previous roles will really impress.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Water Quality Manager, you'll be leading a team, so be ready to share your leadership experiences. Think of specific instances where you've coached or empowered your team to achieve goals. Highlighting your ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders will also be key.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle water quality incidents or regulatory challenges. Prepare by thinking through past experiences where you successfully navigated similar situations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Align with Their Values
Bristol Water values trust, individuality, and progress. During your interview, reflect these values in your responses. Share how you’ve built trust in your previous roles and how you embrace change. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for their company culture.
