Wastewater Adoptions Manager

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 reassignment, 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.