Senior Water Resource Planner

Our client is a leader in delivering sustainable water resource management solutions across the South West. They focus on long-term planning to ensure water supply resilience and environmental sustainability. We are seeking a Senior Water Resource Planner to join our strategic planning team, contributing to the development of key water resource strategies that guide our 50-year vision.

Job Purpose: The Senior Water Resource Planner will support the creation and implementation of comprehensive water resources management strategies, including the Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP), Drought Management Plan, and Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) projects. You will help shape long-term water resource investment cases for multiple regions and guide critical decision-making through rigorous analysis of water supply and demand dynamics.

You will be responsible for commissioning and overseeing hydrological modelling and system analysis (via the Modelling Data and Systems Team) to assess risks, identify opportunities, and enhance the sustainability and resilience of water resources across the regions. This role requires collaboration across internal teams and external stakeholders, ensuring compliance with regulations and the application of best practices.

Core Duties & Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning & Analysis:
  
  • Lead the development and refinement of the WRMP, integrating water supply and demand data to shape strategic decisions.
  • Interrogate data provided by analysts and modellers to influence decision-makers and support the development of the Business Plan WR chapters.
  • Conduct risk assessments and identify opportunities to enhance water resource sustainability and resilience.
• Project Oversight & Delivery:
  
  • Plan, execute, and monitor water resource projects, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and regulatory requirements.
  • Commission and oversee delivery of hydrological and water supply system modelling, using outputs to forecast future water supplies accurately.
  • Scope, appraise, and support the identification of new water supply options, including alternative sources such as groundwater, surface water, and recycled water.
• Investment Decision-Making:
  
  • Develop and apply decision-making tools to assess the best-value options for water resource infrastructure investments.
  • Support the proactive management of Supply-Demand Balance Improvement (SDBI) Objectives, adjusting supply strategies as needed to ensure sustainable delivery.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  • Work closely with engineering teams to assess and prioritise water infrastructure projects, such as reservoirs, treatment plants, and distribution systems.
  • Collaborate with catchment management teams to integrate water supply requirements with drivers like water quality management and flood risk mitigation.
  • Engage with local Environment Agency (EA) teams on the WRMP inputs and outputs, ensuring compliance and alignment with regulatory expectations.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting:
  
  • Proactively engage with internal and external stakeholders, effectively conveying technical information to a diverse audience.
  • Report and monitor performance against key water resource performance commitments, ensuring accountability and transparency across teams.
  • Contribute to the preparation of annual reviews, drawing insights from across the business to evaluate performance against the WRMP and set future water resource-related targets in collaboration with price review teams.

Qualifications & Skills Required:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Environmental Science, Water Resources, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience:
  • Proven experience (5+ years) in water resources management or environmental planning, with a strong focus on strategic resource planning.
  • Familiarity with WRMP development, hydrological modelling, and long-term investment planning for water infrastructure.
• Skills:
  • Strong analytical skills with experience using data-driven insights to influence strategic decisions.
  • Knowledge of water resource regulations, sustainability principles, and industry best practices.
  • Proficiency in working with hydrological models, demand forecasting, and scenario planning tools.
  • Excellent project management skills, including managing multiple projects to meet deadlines and budgets.
  • Ability to communicate complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences effectively.
  • Strong stakeholder management and engagement skills.