Senior Contracts Manager

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

At Bristol Water, we’ve been serving generations of families since 1846. Ensuring people in our communities have access to healthy water is paramount, which is why we work around the clock testing our water hundreds of times a day.

We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.

The Role

As Senior Contracts Manager - (QCD), you will be responsible for developing and implementing programmes that improve operational efficiency, quality, and value across our network operations.

Working closely with the Operational Leadership Team, Senior Leadership Team, Commercial Team, and our delivery partners, you will identify, prioritise, and deliver initiatives that optimise resources, improve performance, and support investment decisions.

You will lead a developing team focused on operational proficiency, ensuring robust governance, project delivery, benefit tracking, and cultural transformation across the organisation.

What You'll Be Doing

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing a high-performing team focused on operational efficiency and continuous improvement.

• Creating a culture that motivates, inspires, and enables people to perform at their best.

• Identifying, prioritising, and delivering efficiency initiatives across operational functions.

• Establishing governance frameworks, project management standards, and benefit tracking processes.

• Leading change management activities and supporting communication plans that drive engagement and adoption.

• Managing programme performance, ensuring successful delivery against agreed outcomes.

• Working closely with Finance and Commercial teams to ensure accurate reporting and financial control.

• Building strong collaborative relationships with contractors, delivery partners, and supply chain stakeholders.

• Reviewing project expenditure and challenging reports and forecasts to ensure robust cost control.

• Driving cultural change focused on quality, cost efficiency, delivery excellence, and continuous improvement.

• Producing high-quality reporting for senior leadership and executive stakeholders.

• Deputising for the Head of Network when required.

• Collaborating across the wider Pennon Group to share and adopt industry best practice.

About You

We're looking for a strategic leader with a proven track record of delivering change and operational improvement.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Exceptional leadership and people management capability.

• Strong experience delivering business change and transformation programmes.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.

• Demonstrable experience managing operational teams through periods of change.

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.

• Excellent planning, project management, and problem-solving capabilities.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience engaging with senior leaders and executive-level stakeholders.

• Degree qualified or equivalent professional qualification.

Desirable

• Five or more years' operational and customer-focused experience within the water industry or a similar regulated environment.

Why Bristol Water?

At Bristol Water

At Bristol Water, our people are the heart of everything we do. We believe in creating an environment where everyone can thrive, bring their best every day, and feel truly valued.

That's why we offer a diverse benefits package designed not just to reward, but to empower you to live well, both at work and beyond.

Our Benefits Include

• From 23 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays), increasing with service

• Holiday Buy & Sell Scheme giving you flexibility over your leave entitlement

• Company Bonus Scheme recognising your contribution to our success

• Competitive Pension Scheme with company contribution matching

• Life Assurance for peace of mind

• Group Income Protection should illness or injury impact your ability to work

• Enhanced Family Leave including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave

• Employee Share Schemes including discounted shares and share matching opportunities

• Free Flu Vaccinations

• Employee Assistance Programme providing 24/7 wellbeing, financial and emotional support

• Free On-site Parking at our Bristol headquarters

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Car Share Scheme

• On-site Canteen at our Bristol headquarters

• Give As You Earn Scheme supporting charitable giving

• Dedicated Volunteering Day

• Retail Discounts and savings across thousands of retailers

Closing Date: 11th Sept 2026

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.