Senior Asset Planning Sponsor in Leeds, Yorkshire

Company description: Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.

We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience £47,154 - £58,942. Company Car Benefit. 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 Water Asset Planning Senior Sponsor progression plan. 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an extra wellness day! Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary. 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: This role will initially be based in Bradford but we are moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you’ll be based there in the future / Hybrid Working (2-3 office a week Leeds/Bradford). Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Water Asset Planning Senior Sponsor to join the Catchment & Water Production Strategy team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers.

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.

Catchment & Water Production Strategy area is a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators. To support and give direction to Asset Planning Strategy with a focus on DPC and SRO major projects to provide safe, reliable and affordable Water resources and Treatment assets which are optimised for Capex/Opex, Operational and Asset Risk. To support the development of Operational clean water asset strategy at a site and system level in line with Yorkshire water SBOs and Performance Commitments.

Where you fit in: As our Water Asset Planning Senior Sponsor (Major Projects) you will:

• Support Water non-Infra Asset Planning Strategy to manage asset risks to meet Regulatory needs of the business associated with major project delivery (i.e. Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC) and Strategic Resource Option schemes).
• Support the team in managing the Concept and Definition phase of major projects/programmes of work.
• Work with consultants and capital delivery partners where required specifically on the strategy, concept, scope and development stages of a major project or set of projects.
• Act as Senior Sponsor for such schemes.
• Drive excellent standards and performance in health and safety, risk management and control of work, ensure compliance with the YW Safety Policy and demonstrate relentless drive, energy and determination to deliver sustainable outperformance for YW that rigorously achieves our vision.
• Work in conjunction with the DPC major project team in consistent decision making on schemes.
• Assist and drive the exploration of alternative technologies for schemes ensuring risks are balanced on whole life cost, carbon and other six capitals benefits.
• Coordinate and lead communication between Asset Management and the Operational Service Delivery Teams relating to the detail of solutions across the Clean Water capital programme, with a focus on DPC and SRO schemes.
• Work with Service Delivery colleagues to ensure that emerging risks which could impact on PCs, ODIs and YWSBOs are identified and appropriately managed in the TOTEX environment.
• Ensure up to date information on costs, risks, carbon etc. of schemes is communicated to the Operational Asset Manager along with potential solutions, to enable timely programme level decision making.
• Oversee accountability for the delivery of the agreed benefits identified at approval, including sign-off of the benefits realisation.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Knowledge and understanding of Asset Management principles and processes with previous experience in an operational and/or strategic leadership role in a commercially orientated and/or regulated environment.
• Knowledge and experience of Clean Water treatment processes and Raw water assets.
• Financial awareness of the AMP plan and the regulatory frameworks.
• Clear understanding of the position and role of Clean Water Asset Planning as well as individual role in delivering company risk management plans.
• Experience in carrying out detailed investigations into performance shortfalls on Clean Water Treatment and Raw Water assets.
• Experienced in developing and maintaining key internal and external relationships.
• Experienced in supporting and embedding change, able to influence and drive the right culture and behaviours.
• Experience of managing relationships with consultants and contract partners.
• Clearly demonstrates the Yorkshire Water company values and behaviours.
• You will have technical and asset management experience in Clean Water treatment and/or be qualified to a minimum HNC level or equivalent in an appropriate engineering/science related discipline.
• Experienced in leading highly successful teams.

You will also benefit from having:

• Knowledge of the YW AMP8 obligations and how the business plan was developed, and outperformance already achieved.
• Knowledge of RAPID, DPC and SRO major projects funding and governance.
• Ability to communicate at different levels within an organisation.
• Project management experience.
• Hold or be working towards Chartership in Asset Management or related field.

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 as a Water Asset Planning Senior Sponsor 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 20th February 2026.

If you would like further information on the role please contact Neil Whitehead.

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.