Business Rates Advisor

Yorkshire Water; Leeds; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Pension scheme up to 12%

Professional development support

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Life assurance

Health and well-being benefits

Retail savings

Online GP service

Job summary

Yorkshire Water is seeking a proactive Business Rates Advisor to join Corporate Finance. The role is based in Leeds with hybrid working (one day in the office per week) and occasional site surveys.

You will support initiatives, prepare HMRC submissions, manage records, and coordinate site visits to drive efficiencies in the company’s circa £75m annual rates bill. Key responsibilities include budget oversight, engaging with stakeholders, and developing professional networks across HMRC and

Qualifications

• Strong IT, numerical and analytical skills with ability to interpret data and identify opportunities.
• Highly organised and self-motivated with ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, able to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with internal and external parties.
• Willingness to learn and develop expertise in business rates principles.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead specific Business Plan initiatives and projects.
• Prepare, review, and submit HMRC submissions.
• Lead team administration, records, documentation and data management.
• Coordinate site access and site visits to assist in surveys.
• Support management of rating consultants and budget oversight.
• Engage with charging authorities on billing queries and disputes.
• Network with HMRC, VOA and other stakeholders.
• Foster relationships with internal and external contacts.

Skills

Data analysis

Numerical skills

Stakeholder engagement

IT literacy

Site visits

Project coordination

Driving licence

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Odyssey

AI2

EDMS

PPMS

SAP

Job description

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Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience and qualification (£34,304 - £42,622)
• 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 Business Rates Advisor progression plan, including support and sponsorship to achieve a professional qualification
• 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 be based at Leeds Valley Park - Hybrid Working (one day in the office a week), with typically one day a week site surveys/visit.

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

We have an exciting opportunity for a Business Rates Advisor to join the Corporate Finance team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. You will need to have a proactive mindset, be good with detail and happy to work outdoors! Could this be you?

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. Corporate Finance are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

The Yorkshire Water Business Rates Team is a small team (of two), working with Consultant Surveyors who provide advice and assistance, to drive efficiencies whilst managing to mitigate the company’s circa £75m annual rates bill.

Where you fit in:

As our Business Rates Advisor, you will:

• Support and lead specific Business Plan initiatives and projects as required.
• Prepare, review, and submit HMRC submissions.
• Lead team administration activities, including the management of records, documentation and data, ensuring efficient electronic filing systems and identifying continuous improvement opportunities.
• Coordinate site access arrangements and site visits, and attend operational sites to assist in site surveys.
• Support the management and performance monitoring of our rating consultants, including budget oversight.
• Involved with formal communications with Charging Authorities regarding billing queries, disputes etc.
• Participate in external networking with industry peers, professional bodies, HMRC, the Valuation Office Agency and other stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong, professional and collaborative internal and external relationships, including key contacts within HMRC.
• Support Capital Delivery colleagues by providing guidance and advice on the operational expenditure implications of our new asset investment programmes.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Strong IT, numerical and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and identify opportunities.
• To be highly organised and self-motivated, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to build credibility and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Confident in developing strong internal and external relationships and working collaboratively to achieve shared objectives.
• Comfortable constructively challenging others and receiving challenge in a professional and positive manner.
• Knowledge of business rates principles and practices is desirable but not essential, but a willingness to learn and continue developing expertise in this area is.
• An understanding of capital programme management and associated systems.
• Previous experience of working within operational environments and an awareness of health and safety responsibilities.
• The ability to develop and leverage professional networks to deliver business value and improve outcomes.
• To demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and ethical conduct.
• Interest in property, asset management and construction activities.
• Enjoys working outside and are comfortable to visit our operational wastewater treatment sites.
• Experience of corporate systems such as Odyssey, AI2, EDMS, PPMS and SAP would be advantageous.
• A relevant degree (or equivalent experience) and to hold a full UK driving licence are desirable.

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?

If you’ve got experience in business rates principles and practices 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.

The closing date for this advert will be the 31st of August 2026.

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.