Regional Water Resources Strategy Lead

Pennon Group; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennon Group’s South West Water division seeks a Regional Water Resources Planning Manager to lead the development and delivery of the WCWE regional plan, coordinating with Wessex Water and other stakeholders to shape a 25+ year strategy.

You will oversee governance, budgeting, and cross-regional collaboration, communicating progress to regulators and the public, and ensuring compliance with environmental frameworks while driving sustainable water resource management.

Qualifications

• Strong background in water resources management, environmental planning, or a related field.
• Demonstrated leadership capability and experience managing teams or large-scale initiatives.
• Experience in programme/project management and budget oversight.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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

Budget oversight

Team leadership

Regulated utility experience

Policy framework knowledge

Education

Degree in Science/Engineering/Environmental Studies (required)

CIWEM membership (desirable)

Job description

Pennon Group’s South West Water division seeks a Regional Water Resources Planning Manager to lead the development and delivery of the WCWE regional plan, coordinating with Wessex Water and other stakeholders to shape a 25+ year strategy.

You will oversee governance, budgeting, and cross-regional collaboration, communicating progress to regulators and the public, and ensuring compliance with environmental frameworks while driving sustainable water resource management.