Strategic Advisor (Fixed Term Contract)

On behalf of Northern Ireland Water, MCS Group is proud to be exclusively retained to recruit for the position of Strategic Advisor (Fixed Term Contract)

Our client, Northern Ireland Water, recently named Employer of the Year at the Belfast Telegraph Awards, takes pride in delivering Northern Ireland's most precious resource - the water for life we all rely on to thrive. Every aspect of life in Northern Ireland depends on NI Water's vital services.

At Northern Ireland Water, you won't just impact the lives of people today. As a water company, NI Water is a custodian of the environment, and they are harnessing game-changing technology, innovation, and science to accelerate progress in climate change, energy, and environmental sustainability to positively impact our future generations.

About this role:

The Strategic Advisor is a part-time role on a fixed-term contract, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer.

The Strategic Advisor will work with the Transformation and Innovation Director on a day-to-day basis. There is no direct budget responsibility.

The next price control period (PC28) represents a pivotal moment for NI Water. NI Water must transform how they approach capital investment and innovation, while continuing to drive efficiencies in operational expenditure. Success will be measured by the tangible outcomes we deliver - benefiting NI Water, its shareholder and stakeholders, and contributing positively to Northern Ireland's society, economy, and environment.

The Strategic Advisor will play a critical role in shaping this transformation. They will provide expert advice and hands-on support to work with the existing team define and mobilise a new programme of change.

Delivery of this change will be led by NI Water's Directors, supported by the Head of Transformation and Innovation Delivery Programme, who will establish the processes to manage implementation and ensure benefits are realised.

Please refer to the Candidate Briefing Pack for full details of role responsibilities and accountabilities.

The person:

Essential Criteria

Demonstrable understanding of relevant strategic, political, economic, and regulatory environments, with a proven record of interpreting external developments and applying this insight to inform organisational strategy and decision-making.

Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years within the last 8 years of proven success within Transformation and Innovation, including the following:

• Demonstrable understanding of and ability to operate effectively within a complex political, economic, and regulatory environment characteristic of a publicly accountable, regulated infrastructure organisation. *
• Demonstrable experience of operating at a senior strategic level**, with a sustained record of delivering enterprise-wide transformation in complex organisations.
• Proven experience of operating at, and influencing Board and Executive Committee levels, including shaping strategic decisions and securing approval for major change initiatives.
• A proven record of leading large scale transformation programmes that delivered measurable organisational, operational, and financial benefits within regulated, asset - intensive or publicly accountable sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to build alignment and sustained support for change across multiple business functions and senior stakeholder groups in complex organisations.

* Infrastructure is defined as

• Energy
• Utilities
• Telecoms
• Water and Wastewater
• Transport Infrastructure

**Defined as a senior management role reporting into a Director, Board or Chief Executive

Desirable Criteria

Demonstrable experience in reputation management and strategic communications associated with transformational change

How to Apply:

Your submission to this advert will be taken as an expression of interest, you will then receive a Candidate Briefing Pack, which will explain how to complete your full application.

Applications should be made via email to: niwater@mcsgroup.jobs by 4.00 pm Friday, 9th January 2026 and must include in separate documents:

• Your cover letter and CV must clearly set out how you meet the Candidate Essential Criteria and Competencies as listed, and motivation for applying for this role. Your cover letter should be a maximum of two sides of A4.
• A comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV) providing supporting evidence.

A full schedule of the Recruitment and Selection process and dates will be detailed in our Candidate Briefing Pack.

If you have a disability which means you require assistance at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Kirsty Dillon directly at MCS Group, 028 9693 5510 and we will endeavour to facilitate your request.

Contact: Kirsty Dillon at MCS Group on 028 9693 5510. All conversations will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

NI Water is committed to equality of opportunity.

Following receipt of your application, you will receive an acknowledgement from MCS Group. Within this response, you will be required to provide consent under the General Data Protection Regulation. If you fail to provide this consent your application will not be processed further.