Development Business Continuity & Emergency Planner

Development Business Continuity & Emergency Planner

Full Time, Up to 13‑month Fixed Term Contract
Salary – Up to £42,500 per annum
Location – Hanningfield, Chelmsford, Essex

We are looking for a highly organised and proactive person to help drive ongoing improvements in the robustness of the Company’s business continuity and emergency plans and procedures. You will also play a crucial role in enhancing the Company’s annual submission for the Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD) 2022, ensuring continuous compliance and improvement in line with regulatory requirements.

A key part of the role will involve providing prompt and efficient support in response to emergency events and incidents, minimising disruption and maintaining business continuity across the organisation.

Following training, the role requires involvement in the team standby rota of a 1‑week in 6 out of hours standby for incident response.

The role requires active collaboration with Local Resilience Forums and Local Authority Emergency Planning Units to build strong working relationships, ensuring the Company meets its obligations under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

Additionally, you will work closely with the wider business to develop and deliver emergency exercises, ensuring that corporate plans are rigorously tested.

• Provide prompt and efficient support in response to emergency events and incidents.
• Participate in the 1‑week-in‑6 out of hours standby rota for incident response.
• Collaborate with Local Resilience Forums and Local Authority Emergency Planning Units.
• Develop and deliver emergency exercises with the wider business.

The ideal candidate will have an understanding of the Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD) 2022 and how water companies ensure compliance.

Experience in developing and delivering large‑scale emergency exercises and/or creating tailored training packages to prepare teams for effective incident response is required.

Must be able to work professionally and collaboratively with blue‑light services personnel and Emergency Planning Departments within Local Councils and Authorities.

Exceptional interpersonal skills, including excellent verbal and written communication, and the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

DBS clearance required prior to employment. Candidates with certain unspent convictions may not be considered to ensure a safe and secure working environment.

Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) provides water and sewerage services to 2.7 million people in the North East of England as Northumbrian Water, and to 1.5 million people in the South East of England as Essex & Suffolk Water. We aim to be a national leader in the provision of sustainable water and wastewater services and we prioritize diversity, inclusion and equity.

Our purpose is caring for the essential needs of our communities and environment, now and for generations to come. We provide reliable and affordable water and wastewater services for our customers and support sustainable, resilient business practices.

• Generous holiday entitlement starting at 23 days, plus bank holidays and additional time off on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. There’s also the option to buy or sell holidays.
• Company pension scheme – we’ll double match your contributions up to an employer contribution of 11%.
• Free access to local attractions.
• A fantastic discount scheme, with savings on days out, shopping, travel and more.
• Award‑winning ‘Living Well’ wellbeing support, including access to a digital GP service for you and your family members.
• Support with sustainable travel – through salary sacrifice cars and a cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Financial wellbeing support – access to our community savings scheme, financial education and low‑cost loans through Salary Finance. We also provide 4× life assurance and an income protection scheme.
• Support with your development – we offer a range of development opportunities, can support you through an interest‑free qualification loan and we’ll even pay for any relevant professional body subscription.

We embrace and value Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, and encourage all colleagues to bring their authentic selves to work. Our colleague network groups include Rainbow Support Network (LGBTQIA+), REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), WiSTEM (Women in STEM) and Thisability (disability and neurodiversity). We are an equal‑opportunity employer committed to having diverse communities represented across all teams and structures.