Chief Water Quality & Scientific Services Leader

Affinity Water; Hatfield; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Generous leave

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Tap4Perks discounts

Volunteer days

Life Assurance

Job summary

Affinity Water invites a visionary Head of Water Quality & Scientific Services to shape our water quality strategy from source to tap. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of ~120 professionals, drive regulatory compliance, and foster scientific excellence across the organisation.

In this high-profile role, you’ll partner with regulators, the Executive Team and industry bodies to steer investments, manage incidents, and deliver safe, reliable drinking water for millions in the South East.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in drinking water quality or a highly regulated technical environment.
• Extensive knowledge of drinking water quality regulations and risk management.
• Experience managing major incidents and complex budgets.
• Strong stakeholder engagement with executives, regulators and partners.
• Chartered status and UKAS laboratory familiarity are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead Affinity Water's drinking water quality strategy and assurance programme.
• Advise on water quality, public health and regulatory matters at the highest level.
• Build relationships with regulators, Defra, public health bodies and industry partners.
• Oversee scientific services, sampling programmes and laboratory operations including UKAS accreditation.
• Drive audits, continuous improvement and incident response across the business.
• Lead during significant water quality incidents and drive corrective actions.
• Influence capital investment and asset strategies to improve outcomes.
• Develop future capability by coaching and inspiring a high-performing team.

Skills

Leadership experience

Regulatory compliance

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Public health incidents

Education

Degree in a scientific/technical discipline

Job description

Affinity Water invites a visionary Head of Water Quality & Scientific Services to shape our water quality strategy from source to tap. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of ~120 professionals, drive regulatory compliance, and foster scientific excellence across the organisation.

In this high-profile role, you’ll partner with regulators, the Executive Team and industry bodies to steer investments, manage incidents, and deliver safe, reliable drinking water for millions in the South East.