Integrated Water Resources Planning Lead

Do you have a thirst for progressing your career and help shape the future of integrated planning? If so, we have an amazing opportunity for a Regional Integrated Water Planning Lead to join the West Country Water and Environment Group (WCWE) to help develop our multi-sector and integrated planning.

The WCWE group is one of five regional groups that operate in the context of the Environment Agency's National Framework. Each group is working to develop more integrated public water supply plans in the long-term, and plan for multiple other sectors that abstract water.

Joining a dynamic team of professionals, you will be central to the long-term planning of our regional water resources across multiple sectors.

Alongside colleagues developing the public water supply plan for water companies, the overall purpose of the role is to develop the multi-sector regional plan. In addition, the role will help move us towards a catchment-based approach to water resources planning.

You will:

• lead the overall production and delivery of the multi-sector regional plan and integrated catchment water resources plans
• work with the Stakeholder Engagement Lead to build capacity in the region through the development of cross-organisational relationships and governance structures
• translate technical planning information from the public water supply lead work (eg, demand forecasting and supply options) to support development of the multi-sector plan)
• technically appraise information provided by other sectors
• identify sources of funding and opportunities to bring together funding streams to deliver more integrated catchment planning
• work closely with the agricultural sector to develop agricultural supply and demand forecasts and options for supply
• liaise with and influence environmental regulators to support strategic plan development and delivery of solutions
• report plan development, progress and risks to governance structures, including Wessex Water and Pennon Group.

We are looking for a strong combination of technical and softer skills – how things are done will be as important as what is done to build capacity and the links required to develop meaningful and well-supported plans.

Success in this role demands a strong strategic and analytical orientation based on solid cross-sector experience to interpret technical information and develop this in the context of the multi-sector.

This then needs to be coupled with excellent communication skills as well as a highly developed collaborative nature to translate this information and gain buy-in to regional solutions.

The role also exists in a changing regulatory landscape, with significant change in progress as a result of the Independent Water Commission Report.

Vision, energy and enthusiasm are required to help the industry transition to a more integrated planning future.

Additional requirements for the role include:

• a degree or equivalent experience in a relevant engineering or environmental subject
• 5+ years of experience in water businesses or strategic planning in a relevant area (eg, environmental, regulation, flood-risk or catchment-based planning)
• strong experience in cross-organisational working and planning
• a high level of strategic thinking, vision and horizon scanning
• a desire to investigate, analyse and innovate
• excellent two-way dialogue with cross-functional teams
• proven experience developing creative solutions to difficult problems
• excellent time management skills
• being flexible, adaptable and able to work under pressure
• exceptionally good analytical skills
• the ability to translate raw information into actionable strategies and initiatives
• the ability to shape a narrative and structure communications.

• 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…