Public Sector and Retention Manager

Public Sector Growth & Retention Manager (37 hours per week, Permanent)

Location: Home based with travel to Wave Offices in Durham or Peterborough and customer sites and venues nationally

Salary: Starting at £50,499 plus a discretionary bonus potential of up to 25% of annual salary

Job Level: C

Car Allowance: Yes

Reporting to: Head of Public Sector Customers

We want our people to have a great work-life balance and support flexible working in terms of a hybrid model and varying start and finish times in some teams where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.

Wave is a leading national business water retailer helping over 300 000 customers across the UK to benefit from the non‑household water market. We’re dedicated to helping businesses lower water use, be more water efficient and reduce costs, all of which helped us earn the Water Retailer of the Year award in 2021 and reclaim the title in 2023. Most recently we celebrate the win again in 2025 where the judges highlighted our commitment to social value and sustainability as well as our market‑leading customer service.

Our vision is to be the most customer‑focused utility delivering value and efficiency in everything we do, making a positive difference to the environment and society.

The culture at Wave is like nowhere else. We’re committed to a happy healthy place to work and have a working environment which supports continuous learning and development – one where people can really flourish. Our people are at the centre of everything we do. Joining us means you’ll be part of a team of over 300 people working flexibly across two UK based offices.

You’ll find a real focus on employee wellbeing and some great benefits too. We expect great things from you and we give great things back.

• Excellent pension scheme – we will double match your contribution up to a maximum of 5% employee contribution and 10% from Wave
• Bonus potential
• Perkbox membership with a vast range of perks – high street savings (fashion retailers, supermarkets and restaurants) discounted cinema tickets, travel and holiday discounts and online fitness classes
• Income protection scheme
• Personal accident insurance
• 4x salary life assurance
• Free onsite parking

• 24 days holiday rising to 26 (plus bank holidays)
• A day off for your birthday
• Half a day on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
• The option to buy holidays
• 1 day paid volunteering

• Hybrid / Flexible working
• Healthcare cashback and treatment scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Annual conference and Christmas party
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Free flu shots

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Enhanced shared parental and adoption leave
• We care about you as an employee and have a range of resources available to both you and your family

The Public Sector Growth & Retention Manager is responsible for growing Wave’s Public Sector customer portfolio, leading a growing sales team, winning new business and retaining existing customers. You’ll develop sales strategies, manage key relationships (including Public Sector Buying Organisations and TPIs), shape propositions and represent Wave as a trusted expert in the Public Sector utility space. It’s a leadership role combining strategic sales, hands‑on business development, partner management and commercial ownership.

• Drive sales activity by reviewing your team’s pipeline, generating new leads, engaging prospects and progressing live opportunities toward close.
• Meet with customers and partners (virtually or on‑site) to negotiate contracts, educate stakeholders (PSBOs, TPIs, Frameworks) and strengthen long‑term relationships.
• Work with internal teams – pricing, bids, legal, onboarding, marketing – to prepare proposals, price contracts and ensure smooth customer onboarding.
• Lead and support your team by providing coaching, direction, performance reviews and ensuring activities align with the Public Sector Sales Strategy.
• Monitor the market and represent Wave by capturing competitor insights, feeding them into proposition development and attending external events…