Head of Water

Zulu Forest Ltd; City of London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nature restoration company in the UK is seeking a Head of Water to shape and scale its water offering. This executive role involves developing commercial strategies that leverage analytics for water quality solutions and engaging with key stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have strong experience in the water sector, regulatory knowledge, and proven leadership abilities. This full-time position offers a competitive package including salary, bonus, and benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus

Stock options

Healthcare

Pension

Professional development

Qualifications

• Proven track record in (commercial) leadership roles in the water sector.
• Strong understanding of UK water company regulatory cycles.
• Experience structuring multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Shape and scale Zulu’s water offering.
• Build commercial strategies for analytics and insights.
• Position Zulu within the AMP8 landscape.

Skills

Commercial leadership in the water sector

Understanding of UK water regulatory cycles

Experience with WINEP programmes

Catchment management knowledge

Stakeholder partnership structuring

Consultancy delivery experience

Pipeline development

Education

Degree in Commercial, Technical, Environmental or related field

Job description

Join to apply for the Head of Water role at Zulu Ecosystems

About Zulu Ecosystems

Zulu Ecosystems is a leading tech‑enabled developer of high‑integrity nature restoration projects. With 25 projects, 100,000 hectares of contracted properties and a 600,000‑hectare pipeline in the UK, we are poised to scale rapidly.

We leverage proprietary technology and cutting‑edge applied science to source, design, and deliver large‑scale ecosystem restoration while solving key challenges in the emerging natural capital markets.

Water Business Unit

We are building our Water business unit to provide cutting‑edge analytics, project delivery and investment solutions for water quality, flood and drought resilience in the UK and beyond. AMP8 (2025‑2030) presents an opportunity for analytics, feasibility studies and blended‑finance solutions that prepare the ground for large‑scale catchment NbS delivery in AMP9 and beyond.

Your Mission

As Head of Water, you will report to the Chief Commercial Officer and shape and scale Zulu’s water offering. You will build commercial strategies that turn analytics and catchment insights into investable interventions, unlock new revenue streams with regulated water companies and other corporate and public‑sector partners, and position Zulu within the AMP8 landscape while building a pipeline of catchment‑based projects for AMP9.

Profile

• Proven track record in (commercial) leadership roles in the water sector, environmental markets or infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of UK water company regulatory cycles (PR24, PR29) and AMP8/9 priorities (storm overflows, bathing water, biodiversity, nutrient reduction).
• Experience with WINEP programmes and familiarity with how companies and regulators evaluate NbS within regulatory expenditure categories.
• Knowledge of catchment management, NbS and water‑related ecosystem services, with the ability to position them against grey infrastructure alternatives.
• Experience structuring multi‑stakeholder partnerships involving utilities, corporates and public agencies, ideally including co‑funding or blended‑finance models.
• Experience and awareness of the UK regulatory and delivery landscape for NFM, including engagement with the Environment Agency and related programmes.
• Experience winning and delivering consultancy assignments with large corporates, including structuring and overseeing delivery across multiple execution phases.

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and a proven deal conversion track record.
• Ability to translate analytics and modelling into commercial outcomes tied to regulatory drivers.
• Exceptional internal and external stakeholder management skills.
• Clear and persuasive communicator, able to engage diverse audiences and simplify complex issues.
• Leadership and team‑management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop colleagues.
• Ability to navigate effectively between technical and operational functions within the organisation.
• Proven capability in pipeline development and management.
• Experience developing marketing collateral and value propositions, including the productisation of services.
• Entrepreneurial, mission‑driven and comfortable operating in a growth‑stage environment.

Education

Degree in Commercial, Technical, Environmental or related field (or equivalent experience).

Why us?

• Shape the future of Zulu’s water proposition and establish it as a market leader.
• Work at the intersection of analytics, nature‑based solutions and commercial innovation.
• Influence the transition from AMP8 feasibility and hybrid solutions to full‑scale catchment delivery in AMP9.
• Competitive package including salary, bonus, stock options, healthcare, pension and professional development.

If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply—we’d love to hear from you.

About Us

Before you apply: We will only use the personal data you provide to process your application. By emailing us your CV and covering letter you consent to Zulu Ecosystems using the information you have provided for recruitment purposes. Interested applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Zulu Ecosystems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status.

Job Details

Seniority level: Executive. Employment type: Full‑time. Job function: Other. Industries: Business Consulting and Services.