At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead communications and engagement for a key partnership, shaping strategy and building relationships.
- Company: Join Yorkshire Water, a vital service provider in the beautiful Yorkshire region.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, wellness days, and a fantastic benefits package.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to support your work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities and the environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications and engagement, with strong collaboration skills required.
The predicted salary is between 38456 - 48080 £ per year.
Company description: Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.
Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:
- We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (£38,456 - £48,080).
- This role has been classified as a Business Needs Users (BNU) and are eligible for a Company Car or Cash Allowance (£3000 per annum).
- Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year).
- Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution).
- Development opportunities in line with the Communication & Engagement Lead progression plan.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus 2 extra wellness days!
- A great benefits package: choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
- Retail savings scheme.
- Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!
Location: West Yorkshire / Hybrid Working - This role will initially be based in Bradford but we’re moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you’ll be based there in the future. This role also requires some travel across our sites.
Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Communication & Engagement Lead to join the River Resilience team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Could this be you?
What we do: Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity. New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. Partnership & Sustainability team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators. Join us in a high-impact role where you’ll lead the development and delivery of communications and engagement across a diverse network of partners. This is an exciting opportunity to shape strategy, build strong stakeholder relationships, and drive meaningful engagement at national, regional, and community levels. If you’re a collaborative communicator with a passion for partnership working and delivering real impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Where you fit in: As our Communication & Engagement Lead you will:
- Lead the Communications & Engagement Working Group for our flagship Partnership, Great Yorkshire Rivers (GYR), coordinating experts across partner organisations.
- Act on behalf of the partnership, representing shared values and goals.
- Provide regular updates to key stakeholders and maintain strong partner engagement.
- Develop, maintain, and deliver an effective Communications & Engagement Strategy for the Partnership.
- Design and implement a multi-level engagement approach across national, regional, catchment, and community levels.
- Ensure all communications and engagement activity is aligned with approved budgets and delivery plans.
- Work collaboratively to procure services and resources as required.
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships across sectors to support delivery and growth.
- Engage communities, volunteers, and stakeholders in activities, events, and initiatives.
- Support supply chain engagement to raise awareness and create opportunities.
- Lead the development and delivery of education programmes and supporting resources.
- Agree and deliver plans for community benefits, including recreation, heritage, and environmental outcomes.
- Act as the primary contact for all GYR communications and engagement activity.
- Ensure delivery of consistent, high-quality communications across all channels and partners.
- Develop and manage proactive and reactive communications processes.
- Promote and grow the Partnerships brand, reputation, and visibility regionally and nationally.
- Manage and optimise communication channels, including website, newsletters, and email campaigns.
- Develop and maintain stakeholder engagement plans, including mapping and analysis.
- Monitor, measure, and report on GYR communications and engagement performance.
- Share insights and best practice to drive continuous improvement.
- Ensure delivery of agreed plans within governance, budget, and approval processes.
- Lead the development and delivery of key engagement outputs and programmes.
What skills & qualifications you will need:
- Proven experience leading communications and engagement activity across multiple organisations or partnerships.
- Strong ability to facilitate collaboration between partners and coordinate specialist teams.
- Experience developing and delivering clear, effective communications strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to design and deliver engagement at national, regional, and community levels.
- Experience managing stakeholder engagement, including volunteers, communities, and supply chain partners.
- Ability to measure, evaluate, and report on communications and engagement performance.
- A strong understanding of proactive and reactive communications processes.
- The ability to build and maintain strategic relationships whilst managing brand, reputation, and consistent messaging.
- Experience leading teams or directing specialists, including oversight of budgets.
- Relevant professional background in communications, engagement, partnership development, or similar.
- Degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field.
- Hold a Full UK driving licence, with willingness to travel.
Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy!
If you’ve got experience in leading communications and engagement and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.
Closing date for this role is the 28th of June 2026.
If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.
All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.
Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.
No agencies please.
Communication and Engagement Lead in Bradford employer: Yorkshire Water
Yorkshire Water is an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a generous pension scheme and wellness days. With a strong focus on employee development and a collaborative work culture, this role provides the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying flexible working arrangements in the vibrant West Yorkshire region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communication and Engagement Lead in Bradford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues 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 the company and its values. Understand their mission and how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about contributing to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Communication and Engagement Lead, you'll need to articulate your thoughts clearly. Mock interviews with friends or using online platforms can help you refine your delivery and boost your confidence.
✨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 serious about joining our team at Yorkshire Water and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Communication and Engagement Lead in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in communications and engagement. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Yorkshire Water, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We’re looking for someone who’s genuinely excited about partnership working and making a real impact. Share examples of how you’ve engaged communities or led successful communication strategies in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key messages come across clearly. This will help us understand your qualifications quickly!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly. Plus, you’ll find all the information you need about the role and our company there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Yorkshire Water
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Yorkshire Water's mission and values. Understand their role in the community and how they engage with stakeholders. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully led communications and engagement activities. Highlight your ability to build partnerships and deliver effective strategies, as these are key aspects of the Communication and Engagement Lead role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Come prepared with questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the company. Ask about their current challenges in stakeholder engagement or how they measure the success of their communication strategies. This shows you're proactive and engaged.
✨Be Yourself
While it's important to be professional, don't forget to let your personality shine through. Yorkshire Water values collaborative communicators, so being authentic and approachable can set you apart from other candidates.
