Environmental Planning and Delivery Manager

idibu; England; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A major UK water company is seeking an experienced Environmental Planning and Delivery Manager to lead key partnership projects. The ideal candidate will have senior-level experience in environmental planning and strong stakeholder management skills. Responsibilities include leading existing projects, developing new solutions for environmental compliance, and enhancing processes for effective delivery. The role offers a competitive salary of up to £70,000 per annum, along with generous benefits, including an annual bonus, car allowance, and private medical care.

Benefits

Competitive salary up to £70,000

26 days annual leave, increasing to 30

Car allowance of £5,800

Annual bonus up to 25%

Private medical health care

Generous pension scheme

Access to health and well-being benefits

Qualifications

• Experience operating at a senior level in catchment, environmental or partnership planning.
• Ability to set direction and lead change.
• Proven track record of successful project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead existing catchment and partnership projects.
• Develop new solutions to meet AMP8 and WINEP requirements.
• Build trusted relationships with stakeholders.
• Ensure lessons learned are incorporated into future plans.

Skills

Senior-level experience in partnerships

Strong stakeholder management

Project delivery

Communication and presentation skills

Understanding of environmental policy

Financial awareness

Education

Degree in environmental science or equivalent

Job description

Shape the future of catchment partnerships. Deliver real environmental outcomes.

We’re looking for an ambitious and collaborative Environmental Planning and Delivery Manager to lead the next phase of partnership working across our catchments. This role sits at the heart of how we work with others to deliver meaningful environmental improvements—supporting regulatory obligations while creating wider benefits for rivers, communities and ecosystems.

Building on the success of our Smarter Water Catchments and Flagship Chalk Stream programmes, you’ll play a key role in evolving how we design and deliver partnership projects—bringing together stakeholders, funding and innovative delivery models to achieve outcomes that matter.

This is a high‑impact role with real scope to shape how catchment and partnership working is embedded across the business. You’ll lead the development and delivery of partnership projects that meet WINEP obligations for AMP8, while creating a robust pipeline of opportunities to support AMP9 and beyond.

You’ll also influence how we work internally—helping to adapt processes, decision‑making and procurement approaches so that partnership and co‑delivery become the norm rather than the exception.

What you’ll be doing as Environmental Planning & Delivery Manager

• Leading the continuation and evolution of existing Smarter Water Catchment and Flagship Chalk Stream projects.
• Designing and delivering new partnership‑led solutions to meet AMP8 and WINEP requirements.
• Developing a strong pipeline of catchment and partnership opportunities for future investment periods.
• Working across the business to develop and improve processes that enable effective partnership delivery.
• Exploring and implementing innovative funding and delivery models, including opportunities for co‑funding.
• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with environmental stakeholders, regulators, communities and delivery partners.
• Ensuring learning from current initiatives is embedded into future plans and approaches.

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What you should bring to the role

• Experience operating at a senior level in catchment, environmental or partnership planning, ideally within the utilities or regulated sector.
• An environmentally based degree or equivalent experience.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence engage diverse and sometimes challenging audiences.
• A background in environmental science, planning or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• A proven track record of successful project or programme delivery.
• The ability to set direction, lead change and bring others with you.
• Excellent communication, influencing and presentation skills.
• A good understanding of the water industry, the environmental policy landscape and how water companies interface with communities and stakeholders.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness, ideally developed within a regulated environment.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £70,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave – 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Car Allowance – £5,800.
• Annual Bonus – up to 25% of base salary.
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• Access to benefits to support health, well‑being and finances, including annual health MOTs, physiotherapy, counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values.

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.