Deputy Director Water Utilities - Hybrid - Defence Infrastructure Organisation

Defence Infrastructure Organisation enables Defence people to live, work, train and deploy at home and overseas and we are proud to be the expert partner Defence needs for all their infrastructure requirements. As one of the largest landowners in the UK, we manage assets worth £28bn, with an annual budget of £3.3bn. DIO employs approximately 4,500 staff from a very diverse range of professions, working across the world: in Germany, Cyprus, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Canada, Kenya, and Belize.

The role is an exciting new opportunity that is strengthening our leadership team to help address complex issues facing water across the Defence Estate. The Deputy Director Water Utilities is responsible for setting strategic direction for operational delivery across the organisation, securing resources, and enabling delivery outcomes for water consumption for both the military and the public. The existing water utilities provision for MoD, referred to as ‘Aquatrine’, is a unique and complex operation, providing fresh drinking water, fire mains, sewage treatment, and water suppression systems to all military and a large number of civilian and commercial establishments. In scale, this is equivalent to the UK’s 9th largest Water Board serving circa 600,000 users and comprising circa 2,500 sites, managed by the DIO as a single operation and worth circa £2.8bn. You will develop the strategy for the subsequent transition into a future operating state, which will involve the set up and leadership of a managed service provider and all associated staffing, systems, data management, compliance, and operational delivery across the defence estate.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop the way in which Defence approaches its management of water and assets. Working with us means protecting and improving the environment for generations to come, tackling issues of significant national importance, and delivering for local communities. Our responsibilities span major industry regulation, flood defences, land contamination, water quality, waste regulation, and nature. Such a broad scope of work calls for a unique individual with exceptional leadership skills and vision.

With significant knowledge of statutory and legislative requirements, you will work with the Chief Regulator to ensure we comply with our legal responsibilities managing safety, corporate, and reputational risks. You will understand commercial opportunities and bring a wealth of leadership experience in the water sector.

To apply for this post, please click the apply button below. You will need to complete the online application by no later than 23.55 on Sunday 27th April 2025. For an informal discussion, please contact Zoe Bennett, Senior Researcher or Tracy Wicik, Consultant. Remote working/work at home options are available for this role.