At a Glance
- Tasks: Support customers with enquiries and complaints about their water supply in a friendly manner.
- Company: Join Bristol Water, a leader in the UK water sector focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, professional development, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive team environment with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your customer service skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for customer service and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 28000 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. At Bristol Water, we’ve been serving generations of families since 1846. Ensuring people in our communities have access to healthy water is paramount, which is why we work around the clock testing our water hundreds of times a day. We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future.
Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife. Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career. Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
We’re recruiting for an Operational Customer Service Advisor to join our team working in Bristol. Joining us on a part‑time, permanent basis, you’ll receive a competitive salary of £27,566 (FTE) per annum, working 23.5 hours per week.
About the role
We’re looking for friendly, proactive people to join our Operational Customer Services team in Bristol. You’ll be part of a small, supportive team working within a larger customer hub. As the first point of contact for our customers, you’ll support them with enquiries and complaints about their water supply. Your role is all about delivering a helpful, professional service and making things as easy as possible for our customers. You’ll work across a range of contact channels, aiming to resolve issues at the first point of contact wherever possible, while keeping customers informed every step of the way. This is a part‑time role, and working patterns will be discussed to reflect business needs as well as flexibility for the successful candidate. Please note that the hours for this role typically need to be covered on Monday to Wednesday.
What you’ll be doing
- Handling customer enquiries and complaints across multiple contact channels in line with service targets, while maintaining a positive, friendly and customer‑focused approach.
- Providing clear, accurate advice and signposting customers to self‑service options where appropriate.
- Progressing enquiries through to resolution, either directly or by working with the appropriate internal teams.
- Keeping customers informed at all stages and setting realistic expectations for resolution.
- Accurately recording customer interactions in line with OFWAT regulations.
- Resolving complaints at the first point of contact wherever possible.
- Processing Guaranteed Standards Scheme (GSS) and Bristol Customer Promise payments accurately and on time.
- Maintaining and updating the Priority Services Register.
- Using proactive communications to keep customers informed of interruptions to water supply.
- Working closely with teams across the business, including Customer Teams, Operations, Planning & Scheduling, Communications and Customer Experience.
What we’re looking for
- A passion for delivering great customer service.
- Previous customer service experience (call centre experience is a plus).
- Strong communication skills and a friendly, confident approach.
- Ability to stay calm, organised and adaptable in a fast‑paced environment.
- Confidence to take ownership and work collaboratively as part of a team.
You don’t need to know everything from day one — we’ll support you all the way.
Training and support
You’ll receive structured training, including classroom learning, call shadowing and buddy support. Training typically takes place during core hours (8.00am–5.00pm). For part‑time applicants, we recognise that committing to a full‑time training programme may not always be possible. We’ll explore training arrangements on an individual basis, although full attendance is ideal where feasible to support confidence and development in the role.
What’s in it for you?
- A competitive salary.
- 23 days’ holiday rising to 27 over 5 years’ service (pro‑rated).
- Opportunity to buy or sell annual leave for added flexibility.
- Opportunity to invest in Pennon Group plc through employee share schemes.
- Wellbeing support, including a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
- Flexible benefits scheme.
- Access to thousands of discounts and offers via Pennon Perks.
- Competitive contributory pension scheme.
- And much more.
Closing Date: 7th July 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness. Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Operational Customer Service Advisor Bristol Water · Customer and Community · Bristol employer: SES Water
At Bristol Water, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity and personal growth. As part of the Pennon Group, we provide our employees with competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and numerous professional development opportunities, all while contributing to a greener future for our communities. Join us in Bristol, where you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a range of benefits including wellbeing support and a competitive pension scheme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Customer Service Advisor Bristol Water · Customer and Community · Bristol
✨Connect with the Community
Get involved in customer support communities online! Platforms like Reddit and specific Facebook groups can be goldmines for sharing opportunities and tips. You can find out about part-time roles that might not even be advertised yet — it's all about who you know!
✨Attend Local Job Fairs
Job fairs are perfect for snagging part-time gigs! Keep an eye out for local hiring events and career expos in your area. It’s a brilliant chance to meet representatives from companies like SES Water and show off your personality in person.
✨Boost Your Visibility
Showcase your skills in online customer support forums or by offering help on platforms like Zendesk Community. A strong online presence can catch the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers looking for genuinely passionate candidates.
✨Apply Directly Through Us!
Don’t forget, applying through our website is one of the best ways to catch our attention. Tailor your application for the part-time customer support role at SES Water and let us see your personality shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Customer Service Advisor Bristol Water · Customer and Community · Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, communication is key! Make sure your CV and cover letter highlight your ability to clearly convey information and resolve issues. Use examples that illustrate how you've helped customers or colleagues in the past.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities:Employers want to see how you tackle challenges. Include specific instances where you resolved a tough issue for a customer or improved a process. Real life scenarios are a great way to showcase your critical thinking and adaptability.
Tailor Your Application to Part-Time Work:Since this is a part-time role, be upfront about your availability in your cover letter. Highlight how you can balance work with your other commitments. It shows you're organised and committed to making the role work for both you and SES Water.
Get Familiar with Our Brand:Before applying, take some time to learn about SES Water and our approach to customer support. Mention in your cover letter why you're excited about supporting our customers specifically. It’ll show your enthusiasm and that you've done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at SES Water
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
In customer support, being able to communicate clearly and effectively is key. During the interview, make sure to demonstrate your listening skills and your ability to explain solutions simply. Use examples from past experiences where you resolved customer issues successfully.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like ticketing systems (think Zendesk or Freshdesk) and chat software. If you’ve used any of these in previous roles or during your studies, be ready to chat about your experiences. Showing you can hit the ground running with these tools will impress SES Water.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since this is a part-time role, emphasise your ability to adapt to different shifts and your willingness to handle varying customer volumes. Share any experiences where you thrived in a fast-paced environment or juggled multiple tasks, which can highlight your time management skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Interviewers often love scenario-based questions in customer support roles. Be ready to tackle common customer situations, like how you'd handle an unhappy customer. Practising responses to these scenarios will showcase your problem-solving ability and customer service mindset, which SES Water will surely appreciate.
