Coast and Rivers Community Partner

In this new and exciting role, you will be working with communities, campaigners and stakeholders, building trust, winning hearts and minds, and inspiring support for our work to manage rain better where it lands and protect and improve coast and river water quality.

You will play a central role in how Wessex Water is understood and trusted by the public, politicians, campaigners, and communities when it comes to storm overflows and water quality.

What you'll do

This is a people-focused, data-informed role — responsible for communicating the challenges and progress around tackling storm overflow discharges, the need for a societal shift in how we manage rain and what we are doing as a business to tackle water resources, water efficiency, and flooding either by traditional single issue solutions (e.g. new reservoirs and stormwater storage tanks) or where possible more holistic solutions which manage rain better where it lands.

It involves managing sensitive and technical data, helping to shape the public narrative on one of the most high-profile environmental issues facing the water industry (storm overflows).

Other responsibilities will include:

• build and maintain trusted relationships with community groups, campaigners, NGOs, local authorities, media and coastal users
• lead engagement at events, tours and briefings related to storm overflows and coastal/river water quality (e.g. WRC tours, capital scheme site visits, drop-in sessions)
• represent Wessex Water at local and national forums, including Surfers Against Sewage, bathing water forums, and water quality action groups
• support and advise the CEO Office and PR team with public and media responses, press releases, and customer communications
• lead the presentation of storm overflow event duration monitoring (EDM) data on the Wessex Water website and other public-facing platforms
• act as a first point of contact and advisor within Wessex Water on storm overflow engagement
• provide technical advice and content for customer services, comms, strategy, planning, and operational teams
• support engagement with the Environment Agency and other regulators on policy and permitting developments.

What you'll need

We are looking for:

• strong written, verbal communication and presentational skills, especially in explaining complex issues to non-specialists
• confident, credible, empathetic communicator
• proven relationship builder
• demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, public affairs, or environmental communications
• some technical knowledge of storm overflows, EDM data, and real-time monitoring systems
• understanding of environmental regulation (especially Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations, Environment Act 2021, Water Framework Directive) desirable
• understanding of long-term planning frameworks such as Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan and Water Resources Management Plan desirable
• confident working across disciplines and advising at senior/executive level.

Experience in high-trust or reputationally sensitive public roles is desirable.

What you'll receive

• A combined pension contribution of up to 20%.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• The opportunity to buy up to ten days' holiday and sell up to five every year.
• A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
• Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
• A new electric car in exchange for part of your gross salary, subject to conditions.
• Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
• An interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from mental health first aiders.
• A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us.

Who we are

YTL UK is part of the international YTL Group based in Kuala Lumpur. The UK companies include:

• Wessex Water – one of the top-performing water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, serving 2.9 million people across the South West
• YTL Developments – a major UK developer currently redeveloping a 350-acre former airfield into an award-winning, exciting mix of houses, apartments, schools, commercial space, restaurants and hotels, to make a truly sustainable new community
• YTL Construction UK – a top 20 UK contractor providing fully integrated services to infrastructure, residential, commercial, industry, energy and environmental sectors
• YTL Arena – the development and operation of an entertainment complex that includes a 20,000 capacity arena, conferencing and exhibition space
• plus a number of other retail, environmental and specialist businesses.

Our people tell us that YTL UK is a great place to work, which is why so many of them stay with us! You will have a unique opportunity to develop and progress your career within such a diverse group.

We are passionate about diversity and inclusion – with that in mind, all applicants are welcome. We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer.

If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process, please inform a member of our Recruitment team.