The Environment Agency is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity—we actively seek it, embrace it, and live it to benefit our people, communities, and the environment. 

We’re offering an exciting opportunity for a Water Industry Account Manager (United Utilities and Welsh Water England operations) to join our national team, which provides strategic oversight of water companies.  

In this role, you’ll lead a small team of account officers and work alongside technical experts who will support you. You’ll also work closely with Area Directors, Leadership Teams, and the Director of Operations to drive continuous improvement of water company performance and ensure delivery of their business plans. You’ll lead the annual cycle of performance meetings, collaborate with other account managers to ensure national consistency, and support the delivery of the environmental policy objectives. 

Success in this role requires a good understanding of the water industry, including its regulatory and economic framework. You’ll need to operate at a strategic level, influencing senior leaders across water companies and the wider sector to deliver better environmental outcomes and drive sustainable development.  Innovation and agility will be essential as we implement the Independent Water Commission findings.  

The Account Manager role is United Utilities facing and because of potential conflicts of interest we cannot consider people who have worked for United Utilities in the last two years. 

The post will work across the North West and applicants must live in or near these areas to attend regular in-person meetings. Occasional national travel and overnight stays are also required. 

Operations Catchment Services is a national service providing expertise in environmental planning, account management and evidence delivery expertise. We offer high quality services and act as the centre of technical excellence for the water resources and water quality planning professions. 

You'll join our accounts management service, working across operations, supporting directors and teams. Our mission is to push continuous improvement in water company performance and deliver lasting enhancements that protect and improve the environment.

We're looking for candidates with either an environmental degree, or equivalent relevant experience. You should demonstrate your ability in these areas: 

 Excellent working knowledge of water company regulation and planning. 

Understanding of the environmental, political, and economic pressures affecting water companies and the wider water environment  

Ability to develop strategic approaches to complex problems and deliver effective solutions.  

Ability to lead and influence across teams and functions, with a strong focus on collaboration and customer outcomes. 

Excellent communication and negotiation skills, verbal and written, with the confidence to engage effectively at all levels. 

Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, enabling you to identify issues and develop innovative, value-added solutions. 

Proven ability to build positive, respectful working relationships, demonstrating emotional intelligence and inclusivity. 

Competence in managing and presenting complex data and information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences. 

Flexibility and agility, with ability to work at pace and meet time-critical deadlines.

You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given. 

 You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid. 

We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, some travel and overnights may be required. 

Any queries, please contact Stewart Mounsey, Deputy Director Catchment Operations Services via  [email protected] 

Interviews will be held via MS Teams on the afternoon of 28 or 29 January 2026.  

If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.