Head of Network Services

This is a strategic leadership role where you'll bring people together to deliver operational excellence, drive continuous improvement and build a resilient water network for the future. You'll help shape how we work, balancing customer needs, operational performance, safety, environmental responsibilities and financial sustainability.

Where you fit in:

As our Head of Network Services (Water) you will be a key member of the Water Service Delivery Leadership Team, reporting to the Director of Water Service Delivery. Working across Yorkshire Water, you'll lead teams responsible for Field Operations, Distribution Maintenance, Metering and Operational Contracts.

Success in this role comes through partnership and collaboration. You'll work closely with Asset Management, Water Production, Leakage Operations and a wide range of business support teams to deliver excellent customer outcomes and long-term network resilience.

You'll also build strong relationships with regulators, contractors, suppliers and industry partners, helping Yorkshire Water continue to deliver trusted and sustainable services for customers and communities across the region.

As a senior leader, you'll inspire and support your teams to embrace innovation, develop new ways of working and create a positive, inclusive culture where people can do their best work and thrive.

What skills, qualifications and experience you will need:

We're looking for a leader who combines operational expertise with a genuine passion for people, customers and continuous improvement.

You'll need:

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent industry experience.
• Significant experience within the water industry or a similarly regulated environment.
• Significant experience leading large operational teams and delivering results through others.
• A collaborative leadership style that empowers and develops people.
• Strong experience of strategic planning, business planning and budget management.
• Experience leading large-scale transformation, operational excellence or continuous improvement programmes.
• A proven track record of achieving business goals and performance targets.
• The ability to make balanced decisions using a broad understanding of operational performance, customer outcomes and business risk.
• Experience delivering complex programmes, improvements or change initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build trusted relationships across a wide range of audiences.
• Significant experience of working in partnership with Trade Unions at a strategic level, demonstrating the ability to influence, negotiate and build trusted relationships whilst leading operational performance and organisational change.
• Confidence to challenge constructively, influence decision making and drive positive outcomes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High personal standards, integrity and professionalism.
• Good understanding of the regulatory environment, including Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) and the Environment Agency (EA).
• A passion for creating safer, smarter and more efficient ways of working.

You will also benefit from having:

• A strong understanding of water network assets and network performance measures.
• Knowledge of asset performance indicators and how they can be used to improve operational resilience.
• Experience working with contractors and outsourced service partners.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies, digital solutions and data-driven decision making within utility operations.
• Experience working across multiple disciplines to deliver customer, environmental and performance improvements.

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!

Do we sound like your cup of tea?

This is an opportunity to lead a function that directly impacts millions of customers across Yorkshire. You'll have the chance to shape the future of our water networks, develop high-performing teams and play a key role in delivering safe, reliable and sustainable services for generations to come. Working alongside passionate colleagues, you'll be empowered to influence, innovate and make a meaningful difference every day. Apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.

Advert Closing Date: 1st October

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.