Risk & Strategy Manager

As the Risk & Strategy Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of the Wastewater Network Integrated Business Plan (IBP), translating the Company Business Plan (CBP) and strategic objectives into prioritised investment plans across the region.

You will ensure capital and operational expenditure (TOTEX) is directed towards the highest-priority areas, enabling effective investment decisions and supporting the development of Integrated Asset Plans (IAPs) at drainage and county level. Working across a broad range of stakeholders, you will drive business planning activities, optimise investment programmes, and ensure the successful delivery of AMP commitments while balancing customer, regulatory, environmental, and operational requirements.

This is a highly influential role requiring strong leadership, strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and the ability to drive collaboration across multiple business functions.

• Translate the Company Business Plan and network strategies into an Integrated Business Plan (IBP) for wastewater networks.
• Support and coordinate investment optimisation processes to ensure expenditure is targeted at the highest-priority areas.
• Develop annual programmes of work that balance customer outcomes, business priorities, ODI commitments, and health and safety requirements.
• Direct and manage individual projects (VSPs) and investment programmes, ensuring prioritisation aligns with regulatory and company requirements.
• Monitor, review, and update annual programmes on a monthly basis to ensure performance and investment objectives are achieved.
• Allocate budgets and financial targets to area teams to support successful IBP delivery.
• Produce and present monthly financial, spend, and performance reports.

• Translate strategic plans into clear guidance for area teams developing Integrated Asset Plans (IAPs), ensuring a consistent regional approach.
• Work closely with Asset Managers and key stakeholders to understand external requirements and incorporate these into network planning activities.
• Monitor the effectiveness of both IAPs and the IBP, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and driving required changes.
• Ensure support systems, including asset data, performance monitoring, and financial controls, remain effective and evolve alongside business planning requirements.

• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including local authorities, regulators, and environmental bodies.
• Use data insights to influence decision-making and drive alignment across the business.
• Promote joined up working across departments to maximise the value and consistency of planning outputs.
• Provide leadership and direction to support effective cross-functional collaboration and delivery.

• Deliver key business targets and objectives within available resources, particularly financial constraints.
• Support AMP planning and business planning activities, ensuring high-quality outputs are delivered on time.
• Drive continuous improvement and change initiatives that deliver measurable business benefits.

• Significant relevant experience in a technical, commercial, or operational environment.
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to inspire, influence, and develop high-performing teams.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing at all levels, from operational teams through to senior leadership and Board level.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrable success in building collaborative relationships to achieve business objectives.

• Significant experience leading business planning functions, including budget management, resource planning, and performance management.
• Ability to translate high-level business strategies into practical, deliverable intervention and investment plans.
• Strong decision-making capability, using data and evidence to make complex decisions with regional impact.
• Experience successfully leading and embedding organisational change programmes that deliver tangible benefits.

• Strong financial, analytical, and performance management skills.
• Experience operating within a highly regulated,…