Public Affairs Manager

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

At Pennon Group, we’re proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power, we’re leading the way in water and renewables.

We’re proud to be recognised as 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.

At Pennon Group, we’re committed to delivering essential water and environmental services while creating positive outcomes for customers, communities, and the environment. Our Corporate Affairs team plays a vital role in protecting and enhancing our reputation, influencing public policy, and building trusted relationships with key stakeholders at local and national level.

We’re recruiting a Public Affairs Manager to help shape and deliver our public affairs and policy engagement across the Group. This is a pivotal role within our Corporate Affairs team, supporting political and stakeholder engagement that influences policy, strengthens relationships, and helps deliver our long‑term strategy.

You’ll work closely with colleagues across the business, senior leaders and external partners to bring Pennon’s story to life with policymakers, regulators, and opinion formers.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with MPs, local authorities and think tanks

• Develop and deliver a structured, proactive public affairs engagement plan

• Support the design and delivery of policy‑influencing campaigns at local and national level

• Provide high‑quality research, insight, and briefings to senior leaders on political and parliamentary activity

• Coordinate site visits, meetings, and events with political stakeholders

• Work closely with external public affairs agencies to shape and deliver engagement plans

• Support senior leaders attending public meetings, events, and stakeholder forums

• Respond to stakeholder enquiries professionally via correspondence and meetings

• Collaborate with colleagues across Corporate Affairs to deliver team objectives

You’ll be a confident and well‑organised public affairs professional with a strong understanding of the UK political landscape and the ability to build credibility quickly with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Experience working in a political, public affairs, or policy environment

• An existing and relevant stakeholder or political network

• Strong knowledge of local and national government

• Excellent research and briefing skills, with the ability to translate complex issues clearly

• Experience in a regulated, utilities, infrastructure, or commercially focused environment (desirable)

• Outstanding written, interpersonal, and influencing skills

• A proactive, creative approach with strong attention to detail

• A collaborative team player who reflects Pennon’s values and behaviours

• The opportunity to influence real‑world policy and public outcomes

• A supportive and professional Corporate Affairs team

• Exposure to senior leadership and high‑profile external stakeholders

• A role with purpose, impact, and visibility across the Group

• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays

• A discretionary Bonus

• Competitive Contributory Pension

• Share‑save Scheme

• Various health benefits

• Wellbeing support programmes

• A range of Group Discounts

• Cycle to Work Scheme

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.

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

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

Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.