Environmental Engagement Specialist

Are you passionate about improving the environment and building partnerships that help deliver meaningful change? Do you enjoy bringing people together and working at the heart of major environmental programmes? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join Wessex Water as an Environmental Engagement Specialist.

This role will support stakeholder engagement activities across our capital investment programme within Poole and the wider Poole Harbour catchment. Working alongside the Head of Environmental Engagement and Regulation, you will help ensure that engagement activities are coordinated, effective and aligned with our stakeholder engagement framework.

You'll play a key role in supporting the delivery of high-profile environmental improvement schemes, including storm overflow improvements, nutrient removal projects, nature-based solutions, strategic resource options and continuous water quality monitoring initiatives. Working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, you will help build understanding, trust and collaboration while ensuring a clear focus on the environmental outcomes these projects will deliver.

We are looking for someone with both excellent communication skills and experience of engaging with stakeholders who can confidently deliver this message on behalf of Wessex Water.  

What you'll do 

As the Environmental Engagement and Programme Advisor, you will act as a dedicated stakeholder engagement resource for the Poole Harbour capital delivery programme, working closely with teams across Wessex Water, the wider YTL Group, contractors, regulators and local communities.

You will support programme delivery by maintaining strong relationships, facilitating effective communication and helping ensure stakeholders remain informed and engaged throughout the lifecycle of major environmental projects.

You will:

• ensure effective collaboration and communication between Wessex Water, the wider YTL Group, contractors and delivery partners
• support the consistent application of Wessex Water's stakeholder engagement framework across the programme
• develop and maintain trusted relationships with local authorities, regulators, environmental NGOs, community groups and other key stakeholders
• work closely with environmental planning, engineering and delivery teams to understand programme requirements, timescales and dependencies
• facilitate effective two-way communication, ensuring stakeholders are kept informed of progress while gathering and responding to feedback and concerns
• monitor and report on programme progress, identifying key risks, opportunities and achievements
• support the management of environmental, planning, permitting and stakeholder-related risks and recommend solutions to enable successful delivery
• horizon scan for emerging environmental, regulatory, political and stakeholder issues that may impact programme outcomes
• help shape communications and engagement activities that promote understanding of the environmental benefits and water quality improvements delivered through the programme.

What you'll need 

To succeed in this role, you will be a confident communicator with strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build productive relationships across a diverse range of organisations.

You will promote a collaborative approach, enjoy working across multidisciplinary teams and be motivated to deliver positive environmental outcomes.

In addition, we are looking for:

• a degree-level qualification or equivalent experience
• a proven track record of stakeholder engagement, spanning regulators, eNGOs and communities
• an understanding of environmental issues, regulation and programme delivery
• knowledge of the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) and Asset Management Plans would be advantageous
• experience of planning, permitting or environmental consenting processes would be beneficial but is not essential
• excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for different audiences
• the ability to work flexibly, manage competing priorities and perform effectively under pressure
• experience of developing clear narratives and communications to support complex programmes
• a collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.

Most importantly, you'll be passionate about delivering positive environmental outcomes and helping create trusted partnerships that support improvements to water quality across the Poole Harbour catchment.

The role will be based at either our head office in Bath or our office at Corfe Mullen, with hybrid working and regular travel across the Wessex Water region, particularly within the Poole Harbour catchment area.

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 sell up to five days of holiday every year.
• The opportunity to buy up to ten days of holiday each year (subject to conditions).
• A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
• Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
• The opportunity to lease a new electric car through salary sacrifice (subject to conditions).
• Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
• Access to an interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from trained mental health first aiders.
• A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone who is successfully recruited by 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 450-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 Live – 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.