Partnership Manager

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (£48,454 – £60,568)
• Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• This role has been classified as a Business Needs Users (BNU) and are eligible for a Company Car or Cash Allowance (£3000 per annum).
• Development opportunities in line with the Partnership Manager progression plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra 2 wellness days!
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: West Yorkshire / Hybrid Working – This role will initially be based in Bradford but we’re moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you’ll be based there in the future. This role also requires some travel across our sites.

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Partnership Manager to join the River Resilience team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Could this be you?

What we do:

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this.

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity. New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry.

The River Resilience team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators. We have an exciting opportunity to join our River Resilience Team as the Great Yorkshire Rivers (GYR) Partnership Manager, leading one of Yorkshire Water’s most ambitious and high‑profile environmental initiatives. In this role, you will provide strategic leadership and coordination across the Great Yorkshire Rivers Partnership, bringing together a range of organisations to restore, protect and enhance Yorkshire’s rivers at scale. Are you ready to make a lasting impact?

Where you fit in:

As our Partnership Manager you will:

• Provide visible, inspiring leadership and coordination across the Great Yorkshire Rivers Partnership
• Lead and maintain robust governance, assurance and decision-making frameworks
• Co-develop and drive a joined-up, multi-year programme aligned to partnership outcomes, AMP8 delivery and PR29 priorities
• Coordinate delivery across a diverse network of partners, workstreams and catchments
• Identify and develop opportunities into investable, risk-assured programmes of work
• Align resources, funding and capabilities across organisations to maximise collective impact
• Oversee evidence gathering, benefits tracking and insight generation to support investment cases and regulatory submissions
• Proactively manage risks, dependencies and issues, ensuring clear mitigation plans and escalation routes
• Act as an ambassador for Great Yorkshire Rivers and Yorkshire Water at external forums and events
• Collaborate closely with internal teams including environment, partnerships, PMO and investment planning
• Build strong relationships with external stakeholders such as regulators, Rivers Trusts, NGOs, delivery partners and funders
• Lead and develop a small but growing team dedicated to the success of Great Yorkshire Rivers

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence within complex, multi‑organisation partnerships
• Experience delivering and coordinating programmes of work, beyond individual projects
• A strong understanding of river restoration, catchment management and/or environmental delivery
• Proven ability to translate strategic objectives into structured plans, governance frameworks and effective delivery
• Proven experience contributing to or managing governance, assurance and reporting processes
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, relationship-building and communication skills
• A strategic mindset with the ability to operate effectively in complex, evolving environments and manage competing priorities
• To hold a Full UK driving licence

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy!

Do we sound like your cup of tea?

If you’ve got experience in River Restoration or Environmental delivery and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Closing date for this role is the 21st June 2026.