Regional Water Resources Planning Manager

Pennon Group; Exeter; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

South West Water, part of Pennon Group, seeks a Regional Water Resources Planning Manager to lead the West Country Water and Environment regional plan. You will coordinate planning across WCWE, manage interdependencies, and liaise with regulators and partners to deliver a sustainable, long-term water resources strategy.

The role demands strong programme leadership, stakeholder engagement, and budget oversight within a regulated utility environment. DBS check may be required.

Qualifications

• Strong background in water resources management, environmental planning, or a related field.
• Proven experience in programme/project management and budget oversight.
• Demonstrated leadership capability and experience managing teams or large-scale initiatives.
• Experience working within a water company or regulated utility environment.
• Strong understanding of environmental regulations and water resource policy frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the WCWE Regional Plan, aligning with strategic objectives.
• Coordinate multiple programmes, ensure progress is monitored with corrective actions when required.
• Identify interdependencies across workstreams and actively manage risks and issues.
• Facilitate collaboration between member water companies, regulators, and partner organisations.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders including Environment Agency, Natural England, and Ofwat.
• Ensure communication of plans, progress, and key messages to internal and external audiences.
• Oversee programme governance, ensuring risks, dependencies, and gaps are identified and mitigated.
• Initiate interventions to address programme issues or delivery gaps.
• Ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and strategic policy frameworks.
• Manage budgets allocated to regional planning activities.

Skills

Water resources management

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Budget oversight

Leadership

Education

Degree in Science/Engineering/Environmental studies

Job description

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Role Overview

The Regional Water Resources Planning Manager is responsible for leading the development and delivery of the West Country Water and Environment (WCWE) regional plan. The role sits within the Strategic Planning function of the Water Resources and Environment directorate and coordinates collaboration between Pennon, Wessex Water, and wider WCWE stakeholders.

This role plays a critical part in shaping the region’s long-term (25+ year) water resources strategy, ensuring a coordinated, sustainable, and compliant approach across organisational boundaries.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Planning & Programme Leadership

• Lead the development and delivery of the WCWE Regional Plan, aligning with strategic objectives.
• Plan and coordinate multiple programmes, ensuring progress is monitored and corrective actions are implemented where required.
• Identify interdependencies across workstreams and actively manage risks and issues.

Stakeholder & Partnership Management

• Facilitate collaboration between member water companies, regulators, and partner organisations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including Environment Agency, Natural England, and Ofwat.
• Ensure clear communication of plans, progress, and key messages to internal and external audiences.

Governance, Risk & Assurance

• Oversee programme governance, ensuring risks, dependencies, and gaps are identified and mitigated.
• Initiate interventions to address programme issues or delivery gaps.
• Ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and strategic policy frameworks.

Financial & Resource Management

• Manage budgets allocated to regional planning activities.
• Oversee funding for assurance groups and ensure effective use of resources.

Communication & Reporting

• Prepare and deliver regular progress reports to stakeholders, policymakers, and the public.
• Manage dissemination of communications from regulators, steering groups, and stakeholders to WCWE members.

Cross-Regional Coordination

• Engage with other regional groups and water companies to ensure alignment of plans.
• Promote a unified, collaborative approach to water resource management across organisational boundaries.

Skills & Experience

Essential Experience

• Strong background in water resources management, environmental planning, or a related field.
• Proven experience in programme/project management and budget oversight.
• Demonstrated leadership capability and experience managing teams or large-scale initiatives.
• Experience working within a water company or regulated utility environment.
• Strong understanding of environmental regulations and water resource policy frameworks.

Core Skills

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation abilities, managing multiple competing demands.
• Analytical thinking with the ability to identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• High attention to detail and a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
• Commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Qualifications

• Essential: Degree in Science, Environmental Studies, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Desirable: Professional membership (e.g., CIWEM or equivalent).

Leadership & Behaviour Expectations

• Collaborative and inclusive leader who builds strong internal and external relationships.
• Self-starter with resilience and the ability to manage complex, long-term programmes.
• Strategic thinker with a focus on long-term outcomes rather than short-term fixes.
• Engages effectively with senior stakeholders and technical specialists.

Closing Date: 28th Sept 2026

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.