Principal Drinking Water Scientist

Anglian Water Group Ltd.; Huntingdon; On-site; GBP 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health care

Generous pension

26 days annual leave

Life assurance

Disability friendly policies

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Anglian Water is seeking a Principal Drinking Water Scientist to lead our Drinking Water Process and Network Science team. You will drive excellence in water quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across the Anglian Water region, enabling operational colleagues to deliver wholesome water to customers.

You will shape scientific strategy, mentor researchers, collaborate with external agencies, and promote innovation while embedding learning across projects and Capital Delivery, Procurement and

Qualifications

• Degree in a scientific or environmental discipline.
• Proven leadership and team development experience.
• Strong strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into water quality incidents with root-cause analysis.
• Develop proactive intervention strategies based on data.
• Drive team safety and wellbeing with a strong safety culture.
• Provide scientific input to Capital Delivery, Procurement and Innovation.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders including regulators.
• Champion training and competency across scientific and operational teams.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Adaptability

Customer focus

Education

Degree in scientific or environmental discipline

Tools

Power BI

Excel

Teams

Job description

Salary: Circa £85,000 per annum dependent on skills and experienceHours: 37 hours per weekContract: PermanentLocation: Across the Anglian Water Region, covering areas such as Ipswich, Norwich, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Huntingdon, Peterborough, Grantham, LincolnAre you ready to lead scientific excellence in drinking water quality and make a real impact on public health and environmental compliance for our customers?We are looking for a Principal Drinking Water Scientist to lead our technical Drinking Water Process and Network Science team. Your team will ensure the safety and quality of our drinking water, drives innovation, and enables our operational colleagues to deliver safe, wholesome water to our customers. This is a pivotal leadership role within our Quality, Environment and Assurance business unit, reporting directly to the Head of Science.At Anglian Water our Scientific Department are combined to create a centre of Scientific Excellence. Where our operational scientists, laboratory function and strategic science come together. This role provides a fantastic opportunity to exploit the Scientific knowledge within our Department, as you focus your team on value-adding interventions and risk mitigation. Collaboration with the Science Leadership team and wider leadership teams, as well as external engagement, will be essential to ensure learning and actions benefit both our customers and the business. Whilst, your close working relationship with our Operational colleagues will ensure we embed interventions across our Operations.You will lead the team in maintaining scientific rigor, assurance, and innovation to provide wholesome water to our customers 24/7 efficiently. The development, engagement, safety, and well-being of your team are crucial to making Science a fantastic place to work and progress. This role will require significant travel leading a field team based across the Anglian Water region.In this role, you will:Enable the team to effectively lead investigations into water quality incidents, providing root cause analysis and implementing learning to ensure future mitigationDrive the safety of the team forwards, putting safety at the heart of what we doDrive proactive intervention strategies across the team, enabling team members to focus on value-add activities driven by dataDevelop a team that provides scientific input across Capital Delivery, Procurement, and Innovation teamsCollaborate and positively challenge to deliver desired business outcomes and meet customer demands now and in the futureBuild trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the DWI and public health agenciesOwn and audit technical procedures to ensure regulatory alignmentChampion training, development, and competency across scientific and operational teamsWe invest in our people - as a valued employee, you’ll be entitled to:Personal private health careGenerous double match pension – contribute 7% and Anglian Water will contribute 14%, giving a total contribution of 21%24-hour Virtual GP service for you and your household26 days annual leave – rising with length of service and the ability to buy moreLife assurance (up to 8 x salary)Personal accident cover (up to 5 x salary)Excellent family friendly policies, such as 26 weeks full pay for maternity / adoption leave, as well as 4 weeks paid paternity / partner leave. Opportunity for shared parental payBonus schemeFlexible benefits and working culture to support your wellbeing and lifestyle.We’re looking for someone with:Inspirational leadership and team development experienceStrategic thinking and stakeholder engagementExcellent communication and reportingProficiency in Microsoft 365 tools (Excel, PowerBI, Teams)Customer-focused mindset and adaptabilityDegree in a scientific or environmental disciplineA background in operational and environmental scienceUnderstanding of health, safety, and wellbeing systemsInclusion at Anglian WaterAt Anglian Water, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. We proudly hold the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, are a Disability Confident employer, and champion initiatives to support diversity, equity and inclusion.Why join us?You’ll be joining a team where leadership, collaboration, and service excellence are at the heart of everything we do. We’re passionate about developing our people and helping them thrive. If you're looking for a role where your leadership can make a real impact—on our teams and every new joiner—this could be your next move.Closing date: 5th NovemberTelephone interviews may be requested: 5th and 6th November.Interviews will be held 9th and 10th November#loveeverydrop#LI-MS1