Principal, Large Water & Waste Infrastructure Oversight Lead

Principal Level | Birmingham or London | Up to £70,000

Advance TRS is supporting a public-sector organisation with the appointment of a Principal-level Large Water & Waste Infrastructure Oversight Lead.

This is an opportunity for an experienced water industry professional to take a leading role in the oversight and development of major water and wastewater infrastructure schemes, helping ensure investment delivers the best outcomes for customers and the environment.

The position would suit someone with a background in engineering, capital programmes, asset management or business planning, who is comfortable working across technical, regulatory and policy areas.

The role

You will lead the oversight process for large-scale water and wastewater infrastructure schemes, supporting their continued development and ensuring they demonstrate technical feasibility, cost efficiency and environmental value.

Working closely with water companies, programme delivery teams, technical specialists, government departments and other regulators, you will provide technical direction, influence decisions and help shape the policies and processes supporting major infrastructure investment.

The role will also involve coordinating work across wider regulatory and investment processes, including asset improvement programmes, Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs), Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs), business plans, cost change processes and price control deliverables.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the gated process for major water and wastewater infrastructure schemes, including policy decisions relating to investment and programme delivery.
• Provide technical and engineering oversight, supporting the development of schemes and addressing key issues throughout the process.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with water companies, programme delivery teams, technical specialists, government departments and partner regulators.
• Influence decisions and support the development of policy and processes to improve the delivery of major infrastructure investment.
• Coordinate cross-regulatory and cross-process work, aligning technical, programme and investment decisions.
• Support asset improvement processes, bringing together engineering, asset management, economics, assurance and regulatory stakeholders.
• Ensure relevant insights are aligned across water resources planning, drainage and wastewater planning, business plans and investment delivery frameworks.
• Manage a team of scheme leads and supporting specialists, providing direction on milestones, programme requirements, priorities and development.
• Contribute to wider directorate strategy and regulatory work as required.

About you

You will have relevant senior-level experience within engineering, science, capital programmes, asset management or business planning, ideally within the water industry.

You will also bring:

• A good understanding of wider environmental issues and their relevance to the water sector.
• Experience of developing and implementing policy, or designing and delivering programmes of work and processes.
• The ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, influence decisions and deliver outcomes across organisational boundaries.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills, with experience leading complex technical analysis, critically evaluating the work of others and developing evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• The ability to lead change, adapt to evolving priorities and work collaboratively across different teams and organisations.

Candidates with experience in major water supply schemes, wastewater infrastructure, capital investment, engineering assurance, asset management or regulatory processes may be particularly relevant.

Salary and benefits

• Salary up to £70,000, depending on relevant experience and suitability.
• Fixed-term contract until 31 December 2027, with the possibility of extension or conversion to permanent.
• Birmingham or London office location.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus bank holidays and 2.5 additional privilege days.
• Civil Service pension arrangements.
• Professional membership fees paid.
• Up to three volunteering days per year.
• Development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and additional employee benefits.

Important information

Location: Birmingham or London
Salary: Up to £70,000
Contract: Fixed-term until 31 December 2027
Working arrangement: Hybrid and flexible
Closing date: 15 November 2026
Interview dates: Week commencing 30 November 2026

Interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams and will include a short presentation. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

The appointment is subject to relevant Civil Service employment and security requirements.

If you have experience in the water industry and are interested in a role combining technical oversight, infrastructure investment, stakeholder engagement and strategic decision-making, please get in touch with Advance TRS to discuss the opportunity.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.