Water Quality Science Manager in Cambridge

Water Quality Science Manager

Job Title: Water Quality Science Manager

Salary: To £55,000 depending on experience

Location: Cambridge/Walsall

Travel: Required across both regions

Overview: You’ll lead a skilled team ensuring millions of people across South Staffs and Cambridge enjoy safe, high‑quality drinking water every day. You’ll combine technical leadership with hands‑on operational oversight, driving compliance, innovation, and resilience across treatment works, reservoirs, and distribution networks.

The Role

This role ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water across treatment works, storage assets, and distribution networks in both South Staffs and Cambridge. The Water Quality Science Manager provides technical leadership and operational oversight to maintain compliance with regulatory standards and company policies, while driving continuous improvement in resilience, performance, and customer outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure continuous compliance with all regulatory and company water quality standards across treatment works, reservoirs, and distribution networks.
• Lead, develop, and motivate the water quality team to deliver high performance and professional growth.
• Optimise treatment processes, storage facilities, and network water quality controls.
• Manage budgets, contracts, and capital projects to achieve value for money and continuous improvement.
• Support Drinking Water Safety Plans (DWSPs) by reviewing water quality risks across assets and networks.
• Provide clear technical leadership and advice to stakeholders to support operational and strategic decision‑making.
• Oversee investigations into water quality events, ensuring timely resolution and prevention of recurrence.
• Develop and maintain effective monitoring, reporting, and auditing systems to support data‑driven decisions.
• Represent the company with regulators, public health authorities, and industry partners to influence and promote best practice.
• Foster collaboration across Operations, Capital Delivery, and Asset Management to improve resilience and customer outcomes.

Essential Requirements

• Graduate/HND in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Previous experience in the water industry.
• Knowledge of risk assessments and regulatory compliance (particularly DWI).
• Strong management and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication skills across all levels.
• PC literacy.
• Full valid driving licence.
• Ability to carry out site audits.

Desirable

• Qualification in a water industry‑related discipline.
• Experience of water industry processes from source to tap.
• Knowledge of water quality and water‑fitting regulations.

What You’ll Get In Return

• A competitive salary plus benefits.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
• Company pension with employer contributions.
• 24‑hour helpline providing free and confidential advice to you and your family on financial, legal, marital, and health matters.
• Eyecare vouchers – via Specsavers.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• 24/7 remote GP access.