At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead resilience policy and crisis response for the UK's water industry.
- Company: Water UK, the trade association for water and wastewater companies.
- Benefits: Discretionary bonus, private medical insurance, 27 days holiday, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for significant influence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national resilience and shape the future of the water sector.
- Qualifications: Strategic thinker with experience in policy and incident management.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 £ 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, it is 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
- 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- Resilience in London employer: Murray McIntosh
Water UK is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead strategic initiatives that directly impact the resilience of the UK's water sector. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, including a generous benefits package and a hybrid working model, the organisation fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture that encourages professional growth and development. Joining Water UK means being at the forefront of addressing critical challenges in the industry while contributing to meaningful change in public policy and environmental sustainability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Policy- Resilience in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the water industry, especially those involved in policy and resilience. Attend events, webinars, or even local meet-ups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or presentation that highlights your experience in incident management and policy development. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on industry trends! Follow news related to climate change, water management, and resilience strategies. Being knowledgeable about current issues will help you engage in meaningful conversations with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined application process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Water UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Policy- Resilience in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Resilience role. Highlight your experience in policy development and incident management, and show how your skills align with the challenges mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:We want to see how you think strategically about resilience. Use examples from your past experiences where you've navigated complex situations or influenced policy changes, especially in regulated sectors.
Engage with Stakeholders:Demonstrate your strong stakeholder management skills by mentioning specific instances where you've worked with senior stakeholders or government bodies. This will show us that you're comfortable operating at a high level during pressure-filled scenarios.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in shaping the future of the water industry.
How to prepare for a job interview at Murray McIntosh
✨Understand the Landscape
Before your interview, dive deep into the current challenges facing the water industry, especially around resilience and drought. Familiarise yourself with recent policies and initiatives from Water UK and the government’s white paper, 'A New Vision for Water'. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but are also aware of the broader context.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to think strategically in complex environments. Think about times when you've had to navigate ambiguity or lead policy development. Be ready to discuss how you can influence resilience frameworks and improve public policy outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
This role requires strong stakeholder management, so come prepared with examples of how you've successfully engaged with senior stakeholders, government officials, or regulators. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve built relationships to drive change in previous roles.
✨Prepare for High-Pressure Scenarios
Given the nature of the role, be ready to discuss how you handle high-pressure situations. Think of specific incidents where you managed crises or coordinated responses during emergencies. This will help illustrate your capability to lead effectively when it matters most.
