River Restoration Lead

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (£42,973 - £53,717)
• A company car
• Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Development opportunities in line with the River Restoration Lead progression plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays - plus an extra 2 wellness days!
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• A great benefits package - choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: West Yorkshire / Hybrid Working (1-2 days in the office a week). This role will initially be based in Bradford but we're moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you'll be based there in the future.

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a River Restoration Lead to join the River Resilience Team at Yorkshire Water, part of the Company's wider Environment Team at Yorkshire Water.

What we do: Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it's so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire's water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region and play a key role in the region's health, wellbeing, and prosperity. New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry.

The River Resilience Team is a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators. We're looking for an experienced River Restoration Lead to provide strategic and technical leadership across Yorkshire Water's river restoration programme. As a relatively new area of focus for the business, this role will shape and influence the Company's strategy and ambition on restoration activity across multiple catchments and ultimately the region, working with regulators, partners and the wider business. You'll sit at the heart of our River Resilience Team, leading the technical vision for river restoration and helping translate long term environmental strategy into delivery on the ground through working with specialist contractors, rivers trusts and other eNGOs. Through strong partnership working and evidence based decision making, you'll help secure meaningful, lasting improvements to river health, biodiversity and climate resilience.

Where you fit in: As our River Restoration Lead you will:

• Lead the technical vision for river restoration across Yorkshire, shaping innovative approaches, standards, and long-term priorities
• Take ownership of complex restoration projects, guiding their design, delivery, and monitoring to ensure outstanding, nature-led outcomes
• Influence and collaborate with partners, regulators, and stakeholders to drive meaningful, shared environmental benefits
• Spot and develop new restoration opportunities, helping to secure investment and bring ambitious projects to life
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement, embedding best practice and building capability across the team
• Act as the trusted technical authority, working closely with consultants, contractors, and environmental partners to deliver high-quality results
• Drive the quality and effectiveness of the WINEP river restoration programme
• Shape how partnership-led delivery is designed, governed, and scaled
• Contribute to long-term river resilience, biodiversity gain, and climate adaptation across the region

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• A degree in Environmental Science, River Restoration, Geomorphology, Hydrology, Ecology, or a related discipline
• Proven experience leading the design and delivery of river restoration or nature-based interventions
• A strong technical understanding of river systems, restoration techniques, and monitoring approaches
• Experience working collaboratively with regulators, environmental NGOs, landowners, and multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated ability to lead and assure complex environmental projects
• Hold a Full UK driving licence
• Working towards or holding a professional membership such as CIWEM, CEnv, or equivalent
• Previous experience contributing to strategic programmes, partnerships, or investment cases
• Knowledge of ecosystem services, natural capital, or nature-based solutions

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it's important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn't always easy!

If you've got experience in River Restoration and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible. Closing date for this role is the 15th June 2026. No agencies please.