Wastewater Adoptions Manager Operations · Reading, Salford ·

Leep Utilities; Reading, Salford; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary aligned to experience

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Birthday day off

Annual discretionary bonus

Car allowance

Company pension plan

Health cash plan

Holiday buying scheme

Professional memberships

Job summary

Leep Utilities is seeking a Wastewater Adoption Manager to own end-to-end adoption of wastewater assets, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and approved designs. You will lead inspections, manage stakeholder relations, and drive the certification and handover of assets into operational management with robust governance.

The role combines technical leadership with project governance across multiple sites while aligning with company standards and growth objectives.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of wastewater systems and sewerage design.
• Strong understanding of regulatory and technical frameworks (Ofwat, Environment Agency, Defra, DCG, SuDS).
• Experience of engineering assurance, inspection and technical review of wastewater infrastructure.
• Ability to interpret and apply Section 104 adoption agreements.
• Experience of wastewater asset testing, commissioning and handover.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple sites and priorities with sound technical judgement.
• Good governance, reporting and computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Review, approve, and monitor adoption applications, designs, and agreements.
• Oversee site inspections during construction for compliance with designs and safety standards.
• Act as single point of contact for developers, contractors, consultants.
• Lead testing, commissioning, and performance validation for assets.
• Ensure adoption agreements include bonds, guarantees, commuted sums and warranties.
• Authorize final certification of asset adoption for operational takeover.
• Integrate new assets into GIS and asset management systems.
• Advise on engineering solutions with developers for complex installations.
• Liaise with ground workers and site agents.
• Monitor new legislation and apply it to LNWL where required.
• Provide information on sites for accurate Inset Applications.
• Assess new materials and ideas for site solutions without compromising position.
• Develop policies for adoption and ongoing maintenance.
• Liaise with other water companies on inset sites and bulk discharge agreements.

Skills

Wastewater knowledge

Regulatory frameworks

Engineering assurance

Stakeholder management

Project governance

Risk assessment

Education

Civil/Environmental Engineering degree

Chartered status or progress (ICE/CIWEM)

Tools

GIS

Asset management systems

Job description

Department: Operations

Reports to: Senior Wastewater Adoptions Manager

Location: Remote with travel to sites (no preferred home location)

The Opportunity

We're looking for a Wastewater Adoption Manager to take ownership of the end-to-end adoption of wastewater assets, ensuring they are delivered in line with regulatory requirements, approved designs and company standards.

This is a key role within our growing business, combining technical expertise, stakeholder management and process leadership. You'll work closely with developers, contractors and internal teams to drive successful asset adoption, manage inspections and defect resolution, and ensure assets are seamlessly transferred into operational management. Through robust governance, performance monitoring and continuous improvement, you'll help ensure our wastewater network remains safe, compliant and ready to support future growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, approve, and monitor adoption applications, designs, and agreements.
• Oversee site inspections during construction, ensuring compliance with approved designs, safety standards, and environmental conditions.
• Act as the single point of contact for developers, contractors, consultants.
• Lead technical assurance of testing, commissioning, and performance validation for assets (sewers, pumping stations, rising mains, SuDS features, wastewater treatment elements).
• Ensure all adoption agreements include adequate bonds, guarantees, commuted sums, and warranties to protect long-term interests where required.
• Authorise final certification of asset adoption, ensuring readiness for operational takeover.
• Integrate new assets into company GIS, maintenance and asset management systems.
• Advise on engineering solutions with the developers when any complicated installations arise.
• Liaise closely with ground workers and site agents.
• Monitor any new additions to legislation and policies and implement / apply them correctly into LNWL.
• Provide information on all sites to enable accurate Inset Applications to be made.
• Assess new and innovative materials or ideas and implement and offer as a solution on site providing it does not compromise our position.
• Develop policies and processes for adoption and ongoing maintenance of sites.
• Liaise with other water companies on new and proposed inset sites and discuss bulk discharge agreements

Measures of Success

• Wastewater assets are adopted safely, compliantly and in line with agreed timescales.
• Asset inspections, testing, commissioning and certification are completed right first time with minimal rework or defects.
• Adopted assets are transferred seamlessly into operation with complete, accurate and auditable asset information, enabling effective long-term network management.
• Technical approvals are delivered efficiently and consistently, ensuring Section 104 schemes meet DCG standards, regulatory requirements and company expectations.
• The wider team benefits from a collaborative and flexible approach, creating a positive working environment where challenges are tackled collectively and business objectives are achieved successfully.

About You

Essential

• In-depth knowledge of wastewater systems and sewerage design.
• Strong understanding of relevant regulatory and technical frameworks, including Ofwat, the Environment Agency, Defra, Design and Construction Guidance and sustainable drainage requirements.
• Experience of engineering assurance, inspection and technical review of wastewater infrastructure.
• Ability to interpret and apply legal and adoption agreements, including Section 104 agreements.
• Experience of wastewater asset testing, commissioning, defect resolution and operational handover.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to make sound technical judgements, assess risk and manage competing priorities across multiple sites.
• Good project management, governance, computer and reporting skills.
• Adaptability and a commitment to continuous learning.

Desirable

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered status or progress towards professional recognition through ICE, CIWEM or a relevant professional body.
• Experience within a NAV, water company, wastewater undertaker, developer services or utilities adoption environment.
• Experience using GIS, maintenance management or asset management systems.
• Knowledge of inset appointments, bulk discharge agreements and the handover of regulated assets.

Your Development and Benefits

At Leep, we believe in stable growth and putting our people first. Our 5-year strategic growth plan gives us stability today and prepares us for the future, while nurturing a strong collaborative and supportive culture.

Our benefits include:

• Salary which aligns to your experience and skillset
• 25 days paid holiday + bank holidays
• An additional day off to celebrate your birthday
• Annual discretionary bonus
• Car allowance
• Company pension plan
• Health Cash plan through Westfield Health
• Option to purchase additional holiday days through our Holiday Buying Scheme
• Engagement committee with events throughout the year, including Christmas Party, Summer Party and individual team socials
• Paid professional memberships relevant to your role and access to professional development opportunities

Our Values

At the forefront of everything we do:

Safety, Customer Promise, Accountability, Reliability, Respect, Flexibility

Equal Opportunities

Leep Utilities is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender re-assignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. If you require any appropriate accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know.