Water Service Manager

Reporting to – Head of Mechanical Maintenance
Working Hours: Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm
Probation Period: 6 months
Job Type: Full Time, Permanent
Job Location: Various Sites & Head Office
Start Date: Immediate
SCOPE
KNOWLEDGE, COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
This section provides guidance on competency requirements for the Water Services Manager responsible for delivery and compliance across water systems (water hygiene, closed-loop water quality, pumps, LTHW/LTHH interfaces, domestic and commercial plumbing systems, soil/vent and drainage). Competence should be evidenced through qualifications, relevant experience, and demonstrable ability to plan, supervise, assure and report compliant works.
Statutory compliance & water hygiene (ACOP L8 / HSG274 / BS 8580)
Closed-loop water quality (LTHW/LTHH & sealed systems)
Pumps, booster sets & pressurisation systems
Domestic & commercial plumbing systems (hot/cold water)
- Understands hot and cold water distribution principles in domestic and commercial buildings, including storage, recirculation and temperature control.
- Working knowledge of Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations/Byelaws, backflow prevention (air gaps, RPZ where applicable), and good practice installation standards.
- Can manage TMV lifecycle: selection/fit-for-purpose, routine testing, fail-safe checks, servicing and documentation.
- Can plan and supervise installation/modification works: isolation strategy, phased shutdowns, commissioning, disinfection/chlorination where required, and reinstatement verification.
- Can assess defects and risks (dead legs, stagnation risk, scalding risk, cross-connections, inadequate insulation) and produce remedial plans and quotations.
Soil, vent & drainage systems
- Understands soil and vent principles, traps/seals, venting, odour issues and common failure modes in above/below ground drainage.
- Can manage planned and reactive drainage works including jetting, descaling, root ingress treatment, minor repairs and renewal planning.
- Can interpret CCTV survey outputs and translate findings into remedial scope, priority and costed plans.
- Understands environmental and H&S controls relevant to drainage works (waste handling, contamination risks, COSHH, and confined spaces awareness where applicable).
Project / contract management (delivery, commercial & governance)
- Can define scope from surveys/specifications, develop method of delivery, and produce programmes that protect statutory compliance and site operations.
- Competent in procurement and subcontractor management: pre-start reviews, competence checks, RAMS review, supervision, and performance management.
- Can control cost, labour and materials; produce accurate quotations; manage approvals, purchase orders and invoicing inputs.
- Understands change control: identifying variations, pricing, client sign-off, and maintaining a clear audit trail.
- Can manage risk and dependencies (access, isolations, permits, shutdown windows, customer impact) and coordinate stakeholders.
- Can produce client-ready deliverables: reports, certificates, O&M information (where required), commissioning records and compliance evidence packs.
Leadership, competence assurance & quality
- Can supervise multiple workstreams while maintaining quality, safety and compliance; knows when to escalate technical risk.
- Can set and maintain a competency matrix for engineers and subcontractors (water hygiene, plumbing, pumps, drainage), including refresher intervals and evidence control.
- Can carry out technical and documentation QA checks (service sheets, logbooks, photos, certificates) and reduce rework/returns.
- Can coach and develop team members through site visits, toolbox talks (supplementary) and targeted training plans.
- Can monitor performance against KPIs/SLA and lead corrective actions for recurring defects and non-conformances.
Health, safety & environmental competence (water-related works)
- Can review and implement RAMS and site permits relevant to water works (e.g., isolations, hot works where applicable, working at height, plantrooms, lone working).
- Understands COSHH principles for water treatment chemicals and can ensure safe storage, dosing, handling and waste disposal arrangements.
- Can ensure safe system of work for drain-down/refill, disinfection, sampling and access to tanks/voids/risers (including confined spaces awareness where applicable).
- Can investigate incidents/near misses and implement corrective actions through the IMS.
Typical evidence (minimum/desired)
Essential evidence: demonstrable experience managing compliant water services delivery in occupied buildings; proven ability to manage subcontractors and control quality/compliance records; strong working knowledge of ACOP L8 and HSG274 requirements; competent report writing and client communication.
Typically desired (role dependent): recognised water hygiene/legionella qualification (e.g., City & Guilds/LCA/WMSoc pathway), plumbing qualification (NVQ L2/3) and/or relevant building services qualification; demonstrable experience managing closed-loop water treatment and pump/pressurisation systems; WRAS knowledge/certification.
CPD: maintains ongoing CPD covering water hygiene compliance, water treatment/closed systems, and relevant H&S/commercial contract management topics.
DUTIES
Team Leadership & Management
- Lead a team of Plumbers, Water Hygiene Technicians, Pump Engineers and Drainage Engineers to deliver safe, compliant and high‑quality services.
- Provide technical mentorship, support and operational direction.
- Identify recurring issues and implement root‑cause corrective improvements.
- Facilitate regular team meetings focusing on performance, compliance and continual improvement.
- Monitor KPIs, conduct 1‑2‑1 reviews, identify training needs and prepare management reports.
- Use SFG20 schedules to optimise PPM planning, statutory L8 compliance and resource allocation.
Technical Support & Problem‑Solving
- Act as the senior technical authority for all plumbing, drainage, pumps, water hygiene and water treatment operations.
- Provide escalation support for complex technical issues, commissioning tasks and diagnostic work.
- Ensure all works follow statutory guidance, industry best practice and manufacturer recommendations.
- Review water treatment reports, logbooks, legionella monitoring records and compliance documents prior to client submission.
- Promote technical excellence and hands‑on development within the team.
Water Hygiene, L8 Compliance, Auditing & Accreditation
- Lead water compliance across all operational sites.
- Ensure full compliance with:
- ACOP L8
- HSG274 Parts 1–3
- BS 8580‑1 – Legionella Risk Assessment
- Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations
- Manage internal audits of water hygiene tasks, sampling regimes, monitoring results and engineer competencies.
- Ensure all logbooks, monitoring sheets, flushing records, sampling data and remedial actions are accurate and complete.
- Oversee water treatment activities for closed systems, calorifiers, cooling towers (if applicable), chlorine dioxide dosing and softening systems.
- Maintain readiness for external audits including LCA and client audits.
- Investigate water hygiene incidents, non‑conformances and near misses, implementing corrective actions.
Plumbing, Drainage & Pump Operations
- Oversee maintenance and remedial works across:
- Hot & cold water plumbing systems
- Drainage networks (internal/external)
- Booster sets, pressurisation units and general plumbing pumps
- TMVs, calorifiers, tanks and expansion vessels
- Ensure assets are verified and documented appropriately.
- Conduct lifecycle assessments and make recommendations for repair, upgrade or replacement.
- Ensure correct isolation, drain‑down, reinstatement and testing procedures are followed.
Asset Management & Lifecycle
- Maintain accurate asset registers and statutory documentation.
- Prepare quotations aligned with client budgets and technical requirements.
- Use CAFM/CMMS platforms to manage compliance tasks, asset information and performance metrics.
Health & Safety Management
- Ensure full adherence to Health & Safety policies, RAMS and CPPs across all works.
- Promote a strong safety culture, ensuring PPE compliance and safe working practices.
- Deliver toolbox talks, safety briefings and awareness training.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation
- Identify improvements to maintenance processes, reducing costs and improving performance.
- Stay updated on emerging technologies, water treatment methods and regulatory changes.
- Encourage innovation within the team and evaluate new products and tools for operational benefit.
- Consistently champion the company’s core values across all activities.
MEETINGS
- Attend and prepare reports for management meetings.
- Attend pre‑bid and interim bid meetings to provide technical input.
- Attend client meetings, recording all discussions.
- Attend handover and tender meetings, ensuring accurate documentation.
- Attend post‑contract review meetings and track improvement actions.
- Attend appraisal meetings, company staff meetings, H&S meetings and team meetings.
See full job description for more information