At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead resilience and drought policy, ensuring effective industry response to high-impact events.
- Company: Water UK, the trade association for the UK's water and wastewater companies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, private medical insurance, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth in a dynamic sector.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact on climate challenges and shape national resilience strategies.
- Qualifications: Strategic thinker with experience in policy development and incident management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
Water UK is the trade association representing the UK's water and wastewater companies. At a time of heightened public scrutiny, climate pressure and system-wide reform, they are seeking a Head of Resilience and Drought to help shape how the industry responds to some of its most complex and high-impact challenges. This is a senior, high-profile role operating at the intersection of policy, operational response and strategic leadership. You will lead the organisation's crisis readiness and response capability, ensuring the industry can act collectively during high-impact events, while also developing a more coherent approach to resilience across the sector.
In this context, resilience refers to driving progress on mitigation of the industry's most significant strategic risks, including drought response, cyber security, power outages and chemical supply chains, rather than long-term water resource planning. This role exists to bring a strategic lens to resilience, ensuring the industry is not only responding effectively to incidents but also influencing how resilience is defined, prioritised and delivered across the system.
You will play a central role in helping the industry:
- Respond to high-impact events such as drought and supply disruption
- Strengthen preparedness and coordination across water companies
- Shape the long-term resilience agenda across government, regulators and stakeholders
Key responsibilities
- Policy development - resilience readiness: Lead Water UK policy development and engagement for resilience matters and ensure delivery of the policies committed to in the government's white paper, A New Vision for Water.
- Shape industry and government thinking on drought preparedness and response
- Influence and improve key security, emergency and cyber resilience frameworks
- Identify and address risks within critical supply chains (e.g. treatment chemicals)
Incident and risk management: Leading continuous improvement of the industry's approach to incident and risk management through:
- Coordinate with water companies on national and cross-sector incidents
- Act as a key interface with government and regulators during live events
- Drive mitigation of key risks, including drought, cyber, power and supply chain issues
- Oversee effective information sharing and governance on security risks
What we are looking for:
- You will be a strategic thinker, with the ability to operate in complex, ambiguous environments where priorities are not always clearly defined.
- Experience in policy development - developing recommendations for industry, government and regulators to improve public policy outcomes
- Experience in incident management, risk management or resilience, ideally within regulated or infrastructure sectors
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including experience working with senior stakeholders, government and regulators
- Be comfortable working at senior level during high-pressure scenarios
- Bring an interest in system-level challenges across regulated or infrastructure sectors
- Desirable but not essential: Knowledge of water industry processes including resilience arrangements and experience of handling and interpreting data.
Package
- Competitive salary
- Discretionary bonus of up to 25%
- Private medical insurance and dental coverage
- 27 working days' holiday, with the option to 'buy' more annual leave
- Pension contribution - 6%
- Life assurance from date of joining
- Hybrid working basis with an expectation of 3 to 4 days a week in the office.
Why this role?
The UK water sector is undergoing fundamental change, driven by climate risk, public expectation and regulatory reform. This role offers the opportunity to:
- Influence how resilience is defined and delivered at a national level
- Work on issues with direct, real-world impact
- Shape both immediate response and long-term system change
Head of Policy in London employer: Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd
Water UK is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead in a pivotal role that shapes the future of the water industry amidst pressing climate challenges. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, the company provides competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Employees benefit from a culture of collaboration and innovation, with ample opportunities for professional growth and the chance to make a meaningful impact on national resilience strategies.
Contact Detail:
Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Policy in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the water industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks who work at Water UK or similar organisations. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the challenges facing the water sector. Brush up on topics like drought response and cyber resilience. Show that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about making a real impact in the industry.
✨Tip Number 3
When you get an interview, think of it as a two-way street. Prepare questions that show your interest in how Water UK is tackling resilience and policy development. This will not only impress them but also help you gauge if the role is right for you.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, hit that apply button and let’s get you one step closer to landing that dream role!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Policy in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Policy role. Highlight your strategic thinking and experience in policy development, as these are key aspects of the job.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your past roles, focus on your experience in incident management and resilience. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to handle high-pressure scenarios and work with senior stakeholders, as this will resonate well with us.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your ideas and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the water industry. We appreciate clarity and directness in communication!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! This ensures that your application is received directly by our team and helps us keep track of all candidates efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the current challenges facing the water industry, especially around resilience and drought. Brush up on recent policies, government white papers, and any relevant frameworks. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also understand the landscape.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to think strategically in complex situations. Think about times when you’ve had to navigate ambiguity or lead initiatives that required a long-term vision. This is crucial for a role that demands shaping industry responses and influencing policy.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to discuss your experience with stakeholder management. Prepare anecdotes that demonstrate how you’ve successfully worked with senior stakeholders, government bodies, or regulators. This will be key in showing you can handle high-pressure scenarios effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Resilience Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with the specific risks mentioned in the job description, like cyber security and supply chain issues. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach these challenges and what strategies you would implement to enhance resilience across the sector.
