Future Growth Planner

Southern Water; Worthing; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK water utility company is seeking a Future Growth Planner for a fixed-term maternity cover in Worthing. You will support housing growth planning by engaging with developers and local authorities. Key responsibilities include managing planning applications, ensuring customer satisfaction, and resolving issues. The ideal candidate will have planning experience, strong communication skills, and a relevant degree. This role offers a competitive salary of up to £35,000, benefits including a pension with 11% company contribution, and generous holiday leave.

Benefits

Company and performance-related bonus

Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution

Health benefits

25 days annual holiday

Occupational health service

Study support for job-related qualifications

Flexible return-to-work options

Qualifications

• Experience in utilities industry, planning services, or asset strategy.
• Ability to overcome problems and develop creative solutions.
• Understanding of Southern Water’s obligations and strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Engage with customers and stakeholders on development processes.
• Liaise with developers on planning application responses.
• Manage relationships with service partners for application management.

Skills

Planning experience

Strong organisational skills

Communication skills

Engagement skills

Research skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in town & country planning

Relevant experience in planning services

Job description

Join to apply for the Future Growth Planner role at Southern Water.

Closing Date: 2026-01-05

Job Title: Future Growth Planner – fixed term maternity cover

Contract Type: Fixed Term 12 months

Hours: 37 hours per week (Part-time considered)

Salary: Up to £35,000, depending on skills and experience

There has never been a better time to join our organisation as we build towards a greener future, tackling climate change, minimising our environmental impact and reducing our carbon footprint.

Job Overview

This fantastic new opportunity has become available in the Future Growth Planning Team. The role will support the Senior Future Growth Planner in engaging with local planning authorities and developers on their housing growth needs.

Responsibilities

• Proactively engage with customers and stakeholders to assist them through their development application process and oversee capacity checks for existing public sewers and water mains.
• Liaise with developers regarding connections, capacity issues and engaging with Local Planning Authorities on planning application responses and review discharge of planning conditions.
• Engage with local authorities, developers and other stakeholders to help Southern Water plan for the future.
• Where applicable, work with local authorities to influence planning policy that promotes sustainable development and allows for occupancy of developments to be phased in line with infrastructure upgrades.
• Ensure customer satisfaction, resolve issues and ensure services meet customer needs.
• Manage relationships with service partners for application management, ensuring they are up to date with business and regulatory policies and procedures.

About You

The successful candidate will have strong organisational, communication and engagement skills with underpinning knowledge of planning. You should have a continuous drive and willingness to learn, meticulous attention to detail, and preferably experience in the utilities industry, planning services, or asset strategy.

Skills and Experience

• Planning experience, appreciating the needs of developers and infrastructure companies such as water companies.
• Hold a Degree in town & country planning, environmental or engineering science, engineering, town planning (or equivalent) or relevant experience.
• Flexibility and independence with an ability to contribute to overcoming problems and develop creative solutions.
• Research skills, able to bring together a range of information to contribute to a clear plan.
• Experience working in a regulated industry to meet strict service levels and achieve strategic objectives.
• Good understanding of Southern Water’s obligations, requirements and strategic objectives under Water UK’s Levels of Service and D-MeX.
• Interpersonal skills to create strong relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Company and performance‑related bonus
• Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution
• Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary
• Health benefits through a Cash Plan
• Two paid community volunteering days a year
• 25 days annual holiday
• Occupational health service
• Stars benefits portal offering discounts and savings on several products and experiences
• Study support may be available for job‑related qualifications
• Competitive maternity leave and flexible return-to-work options

Application Notice

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Provide evidence of eligibility (passport, long birth certificate, proof of NI) and a current proof of address dated within the last 3 months. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.