Senior Network QCD Manager in Newport

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? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

The Senior Manager Network QCD is a highly influential role that will shape how we deliver operational excellence across our network operations, contractor partnerships and supply chain. Working closely with the Operational Leadership Team, Senior Leadership Team, Commercial Team and our Delivery Partners you will lead and develop a team that delivers a culture focused on workmanship quality, cost efficiency and delivery performance, ensuring resources, materials and expenditure are utilised in the most effective way to deliver outstanding results for our customers and the business without compromise to our health and safety.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing a high-performing QCD team focused on operational efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Creating and embedding a culture of quality, cost awareness, and delivery excellence across network operations.
• Establishing programme governance, project controls, and benefit tracking processes.
• Prioritising and implementing efficiency initiatives that improve performance and drive measurable business benefits.
• Driving change initiatives and ensuring successful adoption across operational teams.
• Managing relationships with contractors, supply chain partners, and local authorities to maximise performance and compliance.
• Providing robust project reporting, financial challenge, and cost control supporting our Commercial Team.
• Supporting operational leadership teams with strategic decision-making and investment prioritisation.
• Collaborating across the wider business to share best practice and promote operational excellence.
• Deputising for the Head of Networks when required.
• Participating in the Network Event Manager standby rota.

About You

We're looking for a confident and inspiring leader who can influence at all levels and successfully deliver transformational change.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven leadership experience and the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Proven experience managing contractor delivery models.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Demonstrable experience leading operational teams through periods of change.
• Strong project management, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience developing and monitoring operational performance indicators and quality assurance processes.
• Experience engaging with senior leaders and executive level stakeholders.
• Degree qualified or equivalent professional qualification.
• NEC 3 & 4 Contract Management experience.

Desirable

• Five or more years' operational and customer-focused experience within the water industry or a similar regulated environment.
• Commercial and financial management experience.
• Programme governance experience.

Why Bristol Water?

At Bristol Water, our people are the heart of everything we do. We believe in creating an environment where everyone can thrive, bring their best every day, and feel truly valued. That's why we offer a diverse benefits package designed not just to reward, but to empower you to live well, both at work and beyond.

Our Benefits Include

• From 23 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays), increasing with service.
• Holiday Buy & Sell Scheme giving you flexibility over your leave entitlement.
• Company Bonus Scheme recognising your contribution to our success.
• Competitive Pension Scheme with company contribution matching.
• Life Assurance for peace of mind.
• Group Income Protection should illness or injury impact your ability to work.
• Enhanced Family Leave including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
• Employee Share Schemes including discounted shares and share matching opportunities.
• Free Flu Vaccinations.
• Employee Assistance Programme providing 24/7 wellbeing, financial and emotional support.
• Free On-site Parking at our Bristol headquarters.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Car Share Scheme.
• On-site Canteen at our Bristol headquarters.
• Give As You Earn Scheme supporting charitable giving.
• Dedicated Volunteering Day.
• Retail Discounts and savings across thousands of retailers.

Closing Date: 25th Sept 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.