Strategic Planning Manager

Reporting to the Strategy Director, the Senior Strategy Manager plays a central role in shaping Welsh Water’s strategic direction by leading the development of strategic content, coordinating long-term business planning, and liaising with stakeholders on strategic issues.

The role is responsible for supporting the end-to-end strategy and business planning processes, ensuring that long-term pathways, choices and trade-offs are clearly articulated, credible and grounded in evidence. The postholder brings together horizon scanning, insight and organisational inputs to develop coherent strategic narratives that inform Executive and Board decision‑making.

The following are essential requirements for the recruitment of the role.

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification in strategy, business, economics, public policy, social science or a related discipline.

• Experience operating in regulated, infrastructure companies.
• Proven experience leading or supporting structured strategy development processes and multi-year business planning, from early thinking through to Executive and Board sign‑off.
• Strong track record of authoring high-quality strategy documents, long-term plans or position papers for senior decision‑makers.
• Experience synthesising inputs from multiple disciplines (e.g. insight, regulation, finance, operations) into coherent long-term narratives.
• Experience undertaking or coordinating horizon scanning and translating emerging trends into strategic implications.
• Significant senior-level experience working in strategy development, regulatory policy or business planning within a complex, preferably regulated, organisation.

• Deep knowledge of the UK water sector, regulatory environment, government policy drivers and price reviews.
• Strong understanding of strategy development methodologies, including long-term planning and pathway-based approaches.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data and insight into strategic recommendations.
• Exceptional written communication and document authorship skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across different parts of an organisation, forming strong networks.
• Strong critical thinking, synthesis and judgement.
• Ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders across organisational boundaries.

Whilst this role can be worked hybrid, there is a requirement for at least 3 days in office (Linea/Cardiff St Mellons office).

As well as a market competitive salary, 34 days annual leave (pro rata, including public holidays), we offer a range of employee benefits and rewards including:

• Enhanced employer pension contributions – up to 11% employer contributions
• Several internal employee networks including Embrace, LGBT+, Neurodiverse, Disability, Women of Welsh Water, Parents, Wellbeing and many more
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Progression opportunities, including the ability to apply for funded training and coaching and mentoring programmes
• Reduction on high street and online shopping
• Cycle to work scheme/Car‑leasing scheme
• Voluntary private healthcare
• An employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate family
• Free Headspace app to support your wellbeing
• Colleague matched fundraising scheme up to the value of £500 per year for your chosen charity
• 20% off all Welsh Water visitor attraction centres and gift shops
• We also recruit our own volunteer Wellbeing Champions (on an annual basis) – successful recruits will receive full i‑act and StRaW training

Whilst also working for a not-for-profit company that truly cares about earning the trust of customers every day, and about looking after our beautiful environment.

This role will close when a suitable candidate has been found. Please submit your application ASAP.