At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead environmental compliance and improve sludge treatment processes at Thames Water.
- Company: Join a leading water utility focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working with travel to various sites across the UK.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental improvements while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in process improvement and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 52100 - 52100 € per year.
Do you want to play a leading role in shaping Thames Water’s environmental compliance under the new Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)? We’re looking for a Principal Process Specialist to lead the way in sludge treatment, anaerobic digestion, and odour management — supporting our Operations teams to meet evolving regulatory requirements and deliver real environmental improvements.
Working Hours: Hybrid – 36 Hours per week (Mon – Fri)
Locations: (travel required as part of the role, Full UK driving licence essential):
- Beckton (STW) – IG11 0AD
- Beddington (STW) – CR0 4TH
- Crossness (STW) – SE2 9AQ
- Deephams (STW) – N9 0BA
- Mogden (STW) – TW7 7LW
Responsibilities
- Technical Expertise: Being a subject matter expert for IED permits and sludge treatment processes, fault finding and optimising processes. Utilise all tools and data available to investigate issues, recommend practical solutions and ensure permit compliance. Responding to technical design queries using expert site and regulatory knowledge. Liaise with regulators, stakeholders and customers. Organising and supervising third‑party contractors for servicing, surveying and remedial works related to IED requirements.
- Communication & Leadership: Lead regular business reporting and meetings, being highly confident, engaging and effective in presenting and communicating to all audiences. Build rapport with internal teams and external stakeholders, improving technical understanding through mentoring & coaching. Produce root cause analysis of any permit breaches, sharing lessons learned to prevent repeats. Be prepared to participate in an out‑of‑hours call‑out rota. Drive continuous improvement efforts, engaging with various teams to drive innovative, effective scopes forward.
- Training: Undertake technical training and hold key appointed process safety roles. Proactive in learning about new wastewater technologies and disseminating this knowledge to wider teams. Be a subject lead on IED requirements and sludge treatment processes, spearheading the development of learning materials, asset standards and project scopes.
Qualifications
- Essential: Proven track record in leading on fault finding, process improvements and delivering change. Comfortable holding in‑depth, technical conversations, being a great communicator who can relay complex information to non‑technical audiences. Strong with data handling, processing, and reporting, as well as adapting to IT systems. Experience working with contractors, including reviewing risk assessments, supervising work on site and organising service/surveying works. Demonstrable proof of coaching and mentoring others. Curious, self‑driven and motivated to find, communicate and solve technical problems. Superb time‑management skills, able to self‑organise many differing responsibilities and be a true self‑starter. Travel to multiple sites across the assigned region will be required; a full UK driving licence and business‑use insurance are essential (a car allowance is provided).
- Desirable: A minimum of a BSc in a science or engineering discipline is highly advantageous. Significant experience working with wastewater sludge processes, including anaerobic digestion, biogas management, odour management and relevant regulations.
Benefits:
- Salary up to £52,100 per annum, depending on skills and experience, plus a car allowance on top.
- Annual Leave – 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with length of service (plus bank holidays).
- Benefits to support health and wellbeing, including annual health MOTs, physiotherapy and counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
- Enhanced Maternity Leave – 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay.
- Generous Paternity Leave – 4 weeks paid and an optional 2 weeks unpaid.
- Ongoing performance development reviews to help you be your best and identify growth opportunities.
Principal Process Specialist IED in Isleworth employer: Thames Water
Thames Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can lead the charge in environmental compliance and make a tangible impact on sustainability. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, generous leave policies, and continuous professional development, you'll find ample opportunities for growth while working alongside passionate teams across multiple sites. Join us in Beckton, Beddington, Crossness, Deephams, or Mogden, and be part of a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to making a difference in the water industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Process Specialist IED in Isleworth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Thames Water and understanding their values and projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around environmental compliance and process improvements.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Principal Process Specialist, you'll need to convey complex information clearly. Role-play interview scenarios with friends or family to boost your confidence and refine your delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the team at Thames Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Process Specialist IED in Isleworth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Expertise:Make sure to highlight your technical expertise in sludge treatment and IED permits. We want to see how you can bring your knowledge to the table and help us tackle those environmental challenges head-on!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate a well-structured application that communicates your skills and experiences without unnecessary fluff. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can relay complex info simply!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to the role by referencing specific responsibilities and qualifications from the job description. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for this Principal Process Specialist position.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and helps us get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Industrial Emissions Directive and sludge treatment processes. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've tackled technical challenges in the past, as this role requires a solid understanding of compliance and fault-finding.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be leading meetings and liaising with various stakeholders, practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. Think about how you can demonstrate your ability to engage and build rapport with both technical and non-technical audiences during the interview.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical problems related to IED compliance or process improvements. Prepare by thinking through potential scenarios and how you would approach them, highlighting your analytical skills and proactive mindset.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Experience
This role involves mentoring and coaching others, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Discuss any training you've provided and how you've driven continuous improvement efforts in previous roles.