Policy Manager

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

We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience £44,846 -£56,058 (band 4b). 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 Policy Manager progression plan. 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus 2 extra wellness days! 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 September 2026, so you’ll be based there in the future - Hybrid Working (3 days office a week Bradford/Leeds).

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Policy Manager to join the Developer Services 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.

Developer Services are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators. To provide policy leadership for Developer Services, ensuring company policy, regulatory requirements and industry obligations are translated into clear guidance, standards and decision-making frameworks. The role supports the function by interpreting policy impacts, resolving ambiguity and ensuring the business applies policy consistently across operational, commercial and customer-facing activities. It acts as the bridge between strategy, regulation and practical delivery. This role stays connected with wider industry movements and ensures Yorkshire Water stays ahead of future policy changes. Manages the Developer Services risk register and the business continuity plan.

Where you fit in: As our Policy Manager you will:

• Lead the interpretation and application of policy across Developer Services, ensuring operational and commercial decisions align with company standards, regulatory requirements and industry best practice.
• Own the development, maintenance and communication of Developer Services policy positions, ensuring guidance remains current, clear and accessible to stakeholders.
• Act as the subject matter expert for policy queries, escalations and areas of ambiguity, providing consistent advice and supporting informed decision-making.
• Assess the impact of regulatory, legislative and policy changes, translating requirements into practical recommendations, actions and guidance for the business.
• Work collaboratively with operational, commercial, compliance and customer teams to embed policy requirements into processes, controls and ways of working.
• Support governance, assurance, consultation and audit activities by providing policy expertise, interpretation and supporting evidence where required.
• Identify policy gaps, risks, inconsistencies and improvement opportunities, driving corrective actions to strengthen compliance, efficiency and operational performance.
• Own and maintain the Developer Services risk register and business continuity plan, ensuring risks are effectively managed, monitored and mitigated to support resilient service delivery.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Experience working in policy, regulation, governance or operational assurance environments, with the ability to provide clear and practical guidance.
• Strong understanding of regulated business environments and the importance of policy compliance, governance and control frameworks.
• Proven ability to interpret complex regulatory, legislative or business requirements and translate them into practical operational outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear guidance, reports, policy documents and stakeholder communications.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build relationships, influence decisions and work effectively across multiple teams and functions.
• Sound judgement, analytical thinking and decision-making capability, with the ability to work through ambiguity and apply policy consistently and fairly.

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 Policy Manager 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: 14th August.

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.