Strategic Resource Scientist - Programme Development

Anglian Water; Huntingdon; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company in the UK seeks a Strategic Resource Scientist to address significant water resource challenges. This role involves developing water quality strategies, managing sampling programmes, and engaging with stakeholders. Candidates should have post-graduate qualifications in relevant disciplines and experience within the UK Water Industry. The position offers a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package including private healthcare, and opportunities for community involvement.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Private healthcare

Annual bonus scheme

Community volunteering opportunities

26 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Life cover (8x salary)

Flexible benefits

Paid time off for illness

Free parking

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Educated to post‑graduate level, ideally in a scientific, engineering or environmental discipline.
• Membership of an appropriate professional body, working towards Chartership.
• Experience in developing Water Quality Strategies and sampling programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of Water Quality Strategies for major projects.
• Produce all required water quality reports and submissions.
• Develop and manage comprehensive water quality sampling programmes.

Skills

Development of Water Quality Strategies

Experience in UK Water Industry

Stakeholder engagement

Judgment and decision-making

Excellent communication

Education

Post-graduate level education in scientific, engineering or environmental discipline

Job description

Strategic Resource Scientist - Programme Development
Starting salary from £47,610 dependent on skills and experience
Permanent, full time (37 hours) with flexibility for part time
Peterborough / Huntingdon

Dive into a world of opportunity, and join our team!

As a Strategic Resource Scientist, you will play a pivotal role in addressing the significant water resource challenges facing the East of England. With Anglian Water's Water Resources Management Plan forecasting a 38% reduction in water supply by 2050, you will be at the forefront of developing and implementing innovative solutions such as desalination and advanced water recycling. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to influence a major programme from its early stages, providing water quality strategies and oversight to ensure compliance and excellence throughout the project lifecycle.

Sitting in the Strategic Science Team and supporting the Programme Development team in Strategic Asset Management, you will lead the production of RAPID Water Quality deliverables, scope and manage water quality sampling programmes, and contribute to key stakeholder meetings. Your expertise will help shape the future of water supply in the region, ensuring that all regulatory and non-regulatory requirements are met and that stakeholder engagement is aligned with Anglian Water's high standards.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development of Water Quality Strategies for major projects, ensuring alignment with Drinking Water Safety Planning and RAPID Gates.
• Produce all required water quality reports and submissions, collaborating with internal teams and ensuring compliance with AWS Policies, Standards and Procedures for Water Supply Hygiene (POSWSH).
• Develop and manage comprehensive water quality sampling programmes, integrating with wider environmental sampling and reporting on progress, risks, and costs.
• Initiate and participate in Strategic Water Quality Risk Assessment Workshops, and lead key meetings with internal and external stakeholders (including DWI and RAPID).
• Approve and prepare external reports and presentations for meetings, public consultations, and regulatory submissions.
• Own, communicate, and manage water quality risks through established risk management processes.

As a valued employee you’ll be entitled to:

• A competitive pension scheme where we double‑match your contributions up to 6%
• Private healthcare for your peace of mind
• An annual bonus scheme
• The opportunity to volunteer in your local community
• 26 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays), increasing with service, with the option to swap Christmas and Easter for religious holidays
• Life cover (8x your salary) and personal accident cover (up to 5x your salary)
• Flexible benefits to support your well‑being and lifestyle
• Paid time off for illness, both physical and mental
• Free parking at all office locations, sites, and leisure parks
• Excellent family‑friendly policies, including 26 weeks of full pay for maternity/adoption leave and 4 weeks of paternity/partner pay, with the opportunity for shared parental leave

What does it take to be successful?

• Educated to post‑graduate level, ideally in a scientific, engineering or environmental discipline or hold equivalent experience.
• Membership of an appropriate professional body, working towards Chartership.
• Experience in developing Water Quality Strategies and sampling programmes.
• Proven ability to present at senior stakeholder meetings.
• Experience within the UK Water Industry.
• Strong judgement, decision‑making, and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent communication style, with the ability to challenge and be challenged constructively.

Inclusion at Anglian Water: Inclusion is for everyone and we are an equal opportunity employer, which means we'll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we're committed to creating an environment where all our colleagues feel they belong.

Closing date: 28th January 2026
#loveeverydrop