Water Business Lead

Alexander Associates Technical Recruitment; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Water Business Lead to spearhead the development of Southern operations in the UK water sector. This role allows for permanent or flexible contract engagement while providing autonomy and strategic influence to establish a new office. The successful candidate will manage client engagement and team development, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives. This position offers a competitive package and supports hybrid working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Strong background in the UK water and wastewater sector.
• Proven experience in business development or regional leadership.
• Established network across Southern water companies and frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a new Southern office for the water and wastewater business.
• Develop and maintain relationships with water companies in the region.
• Identify and secure new opportunities across frameworks.

Skills

Business development

Client engagement

Leadership

Strategic growth

Job description

Water Business Lead – Water & Wastewater

Location : South of England (Hybrid / Flexible working)

Engagement : Permanent or Contract (Outside IR35)

Salary / Rate : Competitive package or day rate (depending on engagement)

An established water and wastewater contractor with a strong delivery track record in the North of England is seeking a Water Business Lead to spearhead the development of its Southern operations.

This role can be offered on either a permanent basis or as an outside IR35 contract, making it suitable for experienced water sector leaders looking for either long-term strategic ownership or flexible contract engagement. The successful candidate will be tasked with establishing and growing a new regional office in the South of England, supported by the existing technical and operational strengths of the wider business.

The Role

The Water Business Lead will take ownership of regional growth across water and wastewater frameworks and project-based work in the South of England. Acting as senior representative in the region, the role will combine business development, client engagement and leadership responsibility, with a clear mandate to build and lead a Southern team over time.

Working closely with the Northern leadership team, the position will ensure alignment with company values, delivery standards and commercial objectives, while shaping a regional strategy tailored to local clients and frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a new Southern office for the water and wastewater business
• Develop and maintain relationships with water companies, contractors and delivery partners in the region
• Identify and secure new opportunities across frameworks and project-based work
• Shape and deliver a regional growth strategy and market presence
• Build, lead and develop a local engineering and delivery team as workload grows
• Collaborate with Northern leadership to ensure consistent delivery, governance and culture
• Support bids, tenders and early-stage solutions with regional insight and leadership

About You

• Strong background in the UK water and wastewater sector, with proven experience in business development or regional leadership
• Established network across Southern water companies, contractors or frameworks
• Experience setting up or growing regional teams or offices within an engineering or contracting environment
• Commercially astute, with a strong understanding of framework delivery models
• Confident operating in a senior, client-facing role with accountability for growth and performance
• Engineering or technical background is advantageous but not essential

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to play a defining role in the expansion of an established contractor. Whether engaged permanently or on an outside IR35 contract basis, the role offers genuine autonomy, strategic influence and the chance to build a Southern operation from the ground up, backed by an experienced Northern team and a strong delivery reputation.

Flexible and hybrid working is supported, with scope to shape the location and structure of the Southern office as the business grows.