Regional Operations Leakage Manager in Exeter

This role is responsible for translating strategy into operational delivery, ensuring leakage targets are met safely, efficiently, and in line with regulatory, customer, and environmental expectations. You will take ownership of tactical plans, lead large multi‑disciplinary teams, and drive continuous improvement across all aspects of leakage management.

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop and deliver tactical Leakage & Technical (L&T) plans from concept to execution, ensuring alignment to wider Water Service Network strategies.
• Drive and manage operational leakage performance across the region, ensuring delivery against daily, weekly, monthly and annual targets.
• Oversee approximately 200 direct and supply chain staff through a leadership structure of four direct reports, ensuring safe, effective and efficient delivery.
• Own leakage performance reporting, including forecasting, risk identification and gap recovery planning.
• Ensure optimisation of performance across cost, risk, customer outcomes and water quality standards.
• Define and embed operating models covering network leakage detection, repair prioritisation, customer leakage, metering and pressure management.
• Develop robust data, reporting and assurance frameworks to support performance transparency and decision‑making.
• Collaborate with central and regional teams to support regulatory submissions, audits and continuous strategy improvement.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation and adoption of industry best practice across leakage operations.
• Act as the regional subject matter expert for operational leakage and contribute to annual business planning and budgeting.

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience in leakage, water networks or operational performance within a regulated utility environment.
• Proven track record of leading large, multi‑disciplinary operational teams and supply chains.
• Strong experience developing and delivering tactical plans and driving operational performance improvement.
• Excellent leadership and influencing skills, particularly within matrixed or complex organisational structures.
• Advanced analytical capability, using data and insight to drive decision‑making and performance outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including engagement with senior leadership and cross‑functional teams.
• Commercial and financial acumen, including experience managing and delivering against operational budgets.
• Ability to drive accountability, performance culture and continuous improvement within teams.

Qualifications

• Required: Relevant leadership experience in leakage, water utilities or a comparable operational environment.
• Desirable: Knowledge of water balance methodology and assurance frameworks. Experience in other utilities or operational sectors (e.g. manufacturing). Strategic planning and influencing experience.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistent achievement of leakage and operational performance targets.
• High‑performing, engaged teams delivering safely and efficiently.
• Strong governance, reporting accuracy and data‑led decision‑making.
• Continuous improvement across cost, performance and customer outcomes.
• Acting as a trusted subject‑matter expert and leader within the Operational Leadership Team.

What's In It For You

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Bonus plan.
• Private healthcare.
• Company car or cash for car allowance.
• Competitive contributory pension.
• Share‑save scheme.
• Health benefits and wellbeing support programmes.
• Group discounts.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Financial support services.
• Development and training opportunities.

Closing Date: 26th June 2026. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.