Principal Flooding Specialist

As our Principal Flooding Specialist, you will provide strategic direction on flooding risk, ensuring continued strong performance by Wessex Water by building excellent relationships with our regulators and other Risk Management Authorities, and by informing our business plan and long-term delivery strategy for wastewater.

In the context of this role, flood risk is assumed to encompass strategic flooding issues arising from our networks.

You will:

• direct relevant company strategies, including our 5-year Business Plan, Long-Term Delivery Strategy (LTDS), and Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP), that meet our long-term objectives, statutory obligations, and include cost-beneficial investments
• direct strategic opportunities for the company, including strategic enhancement plans, to ensure that sewerage systems are managed to reduce the risk of flooding, that the areas served are effectively drained of surface water, and there is provision of sufficient foul sewers
• direct the evaluation of strategic investment options in our Business Planning process, including the development of whole-life cost (WLC) and life cycle assessment (LCA)
• direct our strategic flood risk management duties under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) and Water Industry Act (1991)
• provide strategic advice to Engineering and Asset Management, the wider business, and other Flood Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) on all issues related to flood risk management and drainage
• direct internal communication of company strategies to Engineering and Asset Management, Water Recycling, and wider business teams to facilitate the implementation of our strategies
• liaise with and influence regulators, such as Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and Defra, for their support on our strategies and mutually beneficial projects
• collaborate with other water companies and Water UK to develop strategies, plans, and initiatives to tackle industry-wide challenges
• collaborate with other RMAs to develop strategies, plans, and initiatives to tackle our strategic priorities and consider partnership funding to help finance any mutually beneficial projects
• direct engagement on our DWMP to provide transparent and visible future investment plans to stakeholders and members of the public
• additionally, support Water UK in engaging regulators and stakeholders to steer regulatory reform and inform policy direction
• line management as appropriate within the team, including management of professional development.

We are looking for:

• someone who is degree-qualified or equivalent
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent status
• analytical and influential oral and written communication skills
• the ability to work under pressure, balancing competing demands while delivering high-quality outcomes within agreed timescales
• good interpersonal skills to enable effective working with people at all levels
• experience of delivering results through cross-functional working
• excellent knowledge of flood risk, and a good working knowledge of the interfaces with other disciplines
• excellent knowledge of the regulatory frameworks affecting planning and investment in water company assets
• excellent knowledge of the planning and legal environment as it affects investment planning and implementation
• knowledge of operational environments and operator skill levels
• knowledge of operating and maintenance cost implications of proposed investments
• knowledge of asset management principles and practice.

• A combined pension contribution of up to 20%.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• The opportunity to sell up to five days of holiday every year.
• The opportunity to buy up to ten days of holiday each year (subject to conditions).
• A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
• Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
• The opportunity to lease a new electric car through salary sacrifice (subject to conditions).
• Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
• Access to an interactive…