Senior Communications Manager- Water Sector

HR Dept; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential 15%

London/Hybrid work

27 days holidays + BH

Pension 6%

Private health & life insurance

Job summary

UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) is seeking an experienced Communications professional to lead the development and delivery of an engaging communications strategy. You will transform complex research, data and evidence into compelling content for diverse audiences and collaborate with member organisations and partners to maximise reach and impact.

The role emphasises storytelling, relationship-building, and turning messages into effective campaigns across digital channels, newsletters, reports

Qualifications

• Significant experience in communications, journalism, media relations, content creation, or marketing.
• Strong track record of creating engaging content and translating complex information into clear messaging.
• Experience within the water sector, environmental sector, infrastructure or built environment is advantageous.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and ability to build trusted relationships with diverse audiences.
• Experience delivering communications campaigns across digital, media, events and publication channels.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver UKWIR's communications strategy, raising the organisation's profile across the water sector, government and key stakeholders groups.
• Develop and deliver outreach programmes, campaigns and content to maximise awareness and impact.
• Oversee digital channels, publications and media activity; ensure high-quality communications across platforms.
• Lead production of newsletters, reports, case studies and success stories.
• Manage key events, including industry briefings, programme reviews and conferences.
• Embed effective communication plans across UKWIR's portfolio to maximise reach and influence.
• Promote UKWIR's products, tools and services to drive awareness and adoption.

Skills

Communications

Journalism

Content creation

Marketing

Stakeholder engagement

Campaign management

Media relations

Storytelling

Editorial skills

Project management

Job description

Who are UKWIR?

UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) was established in 1993 by the UK water industry to facilitate and manage collaborative research on 'one voice' issues. UKWIR's members comprise 18 water and wastewater companies in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. Our objective is to procure, manage and disseminate delivery of the findings of a programme of research for our members, enabling transformational change across all parts of the water cycle and environment.

The role: (Reporting to the CEO)

This is an exciting opportunity to shape how high level research, insight and innovation are communicated across the water sector.
You will lead the development and delivery of an engaging communications strategy, transforming complex research, data and evidence into compelling content that informs, influences and inspires. Working closely with colleagues, member organisations and agency partners, you'll help maximise the reach and impact of the organisation's work through effective campaigns, publications, digital channels and stakeholder engagement.
This is a highly collaborative role, ideal for a skilled communicator who enjoys storytelling, building relationships and bringing important messages to life for diverse audiences.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy & Communications

• Lead and deliver UKWIR's communications strategy, raising the organisation's profile across the water sector, government and key stakeholder groups.
• Develop and deliver engaging outreach programmes, campaigns and content that maximise awareness and impact.

Content, Marketing & Events

• Oversee UKWIR's digital channels, publications and media activity, ensuring high-quality, engaging communications across all platforms.
• Lead the production of newsletters, reports, case studies and success stories.
• Manage key events, including industry briefings, programme reviews and conferences.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with members, partners, suppliers and industry stakeholders.
• Promote the value and application of UKWIR's research, ensuring insights are understood, adopted and used across the sector.
• Strengthen UKWIR's position as the leading collaborative research organisation for the UK water industry.

Product, Reputation & Brand

• Embed effective communication plans across UKWIR's research portfolio to maximise reach and influence.
• Promote UKWIR's products, tools and services, driving awareness, engagement and adoption.
• Work closely with the CEO and wider team to enhance UKWIR's brand, reputation and sector influence.

Resources & Continuous Improvement

• Manage the communications budget and external suppliers effectively.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency and communication effectiveness.
• Support the successful delivery of UKWIR's strategic plan through collaborative working across the organisation.

About You:

You'll be an experienced communications, journalism, and marketing professional who thrives on turning complex topics into compelling stories that resonate with different audiences. Equally comfortable shaping strategy and delivering hands-on campaigns, you'll enjoy building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, from senior leaders and technical experts to government bodies, industry partners, media contacts, and the public.
You bring natural curiosity, sharp news judgment, and a passion for crafting content that informs, engages, and inspires. From developing compelling media stories and managing digital campaigns to leading high profile communications, you pair the right message with the perfect channel to drive real impact.

You will bring:

• Significant experience in communications, journalism, media relations, content creation, or marketing.
• A strong track record of creating engaging content and translating complex information into clear, accessible messaging.
• Experience within the water sector, environmental sector, infrastructure, or the wider built environment would be advantageous.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with a wide range of audiences.
• Experience delivering successful communications campaigns across digital, media, events, and publication channels.
• Strong understanding of external communications, reputation management, and audience engagement.
• Excellent written, editorial, and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and storytelling.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, with the confidence to influence, inspire, and support colleagues across the organisation.

Compensation Package:

• C. £45K pa., plus discretionary annual bonus of 15%
• Mon - Fri (9am to 5pm) London/Hybrid
• 27 Days Holidays + BH
• Workplace Pension (6% employer contribution)
• Private Health Insurance & Life Assurance