Technical Policy Manager

Water Technical Policy Manager

Working hours - Full time 37 hours per week (flexible working arrangements including part time will be considered)

Fixed Term Contract or Secondment - 2 years

Salary - circa £65,000 per year (depending on experience)

Location - hybrid working with office location at Washington, Tyne and Wear and Pity Me, County Durham

At Northumbrian Water, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Every day, we provide essential water and wastewater services to millions of people, and we are committed to delivering reliable, affordable and sustainable services while supporting our communities and protecting the environment. By focusing on the outcomes that matter most to our customers, we are also working towards our ambition to be the National Leader in sustainable water and wastewater services.

We are building a dedicated team to create our PR29 business plan, which will set out what we will deliver for customers and the environment, and the investment needed to achieve it, between 2030 and 2035. We are recruiting a number of key roles to join this team, offering an exciting opportunity to work with colleagues across Northumbrian Water, influence important decisions and help develop an ambitious and compelling plan that delivers lasting value for our customers and communities.

About the role

We have new opportunities for Technical Policy Managers here at Northumbrian Water Group. Reporting to the Wastewater/Water Strategic Planning Manager, you will lead the development of long-term and medium-term strategies and plans for PR29 detailing intervention options, costs and benefits to deliver our business objectives.

In this role, you will undertake analysis of data, capital and operational interventions in meeting our medium and long-term planning objectives. You will leading the delivery of technical strategies that are required for the successful implementation of service delivery strategies.

You will lead the preparation and delivery of our five-year regulatory business plans as part of Ofwat’s Price Review process. You will be responsible for horizon scanning for and leading on innovative solutions, technical research and advances in technologies that support the efficient delivery of our business objectives and ambitious goals.

You will develop strong and effective relationships with industry peers and stakeholders to ensure the organisation is at the forefront of best practice and innovation raising the profile of NWG. You will engage and build relationships with the right stakeholders, both internal and external, in the development of strategies and plans so they are supported, endorsed and actionable by operations, investment delivery teams and partners.

About you

If you have demonstrable experience of developing plans and strategies, ideally within large organisations, we would love to hear from you!

You will be a technical expert with relevant knowledge and understanding of the different systems and operational practices within the water industry, with a good understanding of the general pressures and trends in the sector.

You have strong communication and influencing skills, and experience engaging with stakeholders internally and externally to build a strong network of collaborative relationships and partnerships across the organisation, regulators and the wider utility industry.

You can demonstrate experience of option development, option appraisal and cost-benefit principles that will drive decision making. You can set technical direction as an expert in the business determining technical and strategic developments.

You will have a degree level or equivalent qualification in an environmental, engineering, geography or science based subject, or equivalent relevant experience. You will have a recognised professional qualification or clear demonstration of ongoing professional development.

We will be hosting an Open Evening session to learn more about PR29 roles at our Northumbria House office in Pity Me, Durham on Tuesday 10th November 2026. Please register your interest at: [email protected]

Please note this role will require a DBS to be completed prior to employment

This role has also been defined as a safety or security critical role and as a condition of a formal offer of employment you’ll be required to undergo a drug and alcohol test.

Prospective employees and agency workers in defined safety and security critical roles will be required to undertake a drug and alcohol test after the job offer has been made. This will be prior to or within four weeks of their start date.

Prospective employees and agency workers who fail a pre-employment urine drug screen will have their sample analysed by the Company appointed laboratory as a matter of course. Failing a pre-employment drugs or alcohol test may lead to the job offer being revoked.