Senior Environmental Permitting Specialist

Pertemps; England; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water company in the UK is seeking a Senior Environmental Permitting Specialist to lead complex permitting projects and provide expert guidance. You will ensure compliance with regulations, support team members, and negotiate with regulatory bodies. Candidates should have an environmental-related degree and be passionate about environmental protection. The role offers a salary up to £59,000 and includes various benefits like annual leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

Competitive salary up to £59,000

26 days annual leave

Performance-related pay plan

Generous pension scheme

Health MOTs and physiotherapy

Cycle to Work

Life assurance

Qualifications

• Strong subject matter expert in water discharge activity environmental permitting.
• Experience in regulatory or water industry-related disciplines.
• Excellent technical writing skills to coordinate complex applications.

Responsibilities

• Manage ongoing permit applications and coordinate progression.
• Prepare and submit new permit applications.
• Negotiate with the Environment Agency regarding permits.

Skills

Water Discharge Activity Environmental Permitting

Communication and relationship-building

Regulatory framework understanding

Negotiation skills

Technical writing

Planning and organization

Education

Degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Data Management or related field

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Join Thames Water as a Senior Environmental Permitting Specialist

Lead complex permitting projects, provide expert guidance, and drive continuous improvement as we tackle today’s challenges and build a sustainable tomorrow. If you’re passionate about protecting the environment, confident navigating regulatory frameworks, and ready to mentor others while managing high‑impact projects — this is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

Responsibilities

• Manage ongoing permit applications, including coordinating the progression of existing applications.
• Prepare, draft, and submit new permit applications where required.
• Ensure all submissions are compliant with relevant regulations and reflect current operational requirements.
• Maintain up‑to‑date permit trackers, document control and document management.
• Support the Wastewater Permitting Team as a technical lead on permitting and water discharge matters and through coaching and mentoring team members.
• Negotiate with the Environment Agency regarding new permits and changes to existing permits, including Capital Schemes.
• Represent Thames Water in technical meetings with other water companies and the Environment Agency.

Position: Hybrid from Clearwater Court, Reading (other Thames Water locations considered). Salary: up to £59,000 per annum depending on experience.

Essential Criteria

• Subject matter expert in Water Discharge Activity Environmental Permitting.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Full understanding of the regulatory framework applicable to the water industry, including the Environmental Permitting Regulations and Environment Agency guidance.
• Experience or academic background in an environmental, regulatory or water industry‑related discipline.
• Excellent planning, organisation, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to negotiate and liaise with stakeholders.
• Strong technical writing skills and ability to produce clear, structured technical documents and coordinate complex permit applications.

Additional Skills and Experience

• Operational background in water, wastewater, air emissions, waste, or similar regulated industries and/or the regulator.
• Experience working flexibly across organisations, building and improving ways of working, and embedding them into organisations.
• Advocacy for the environment with a track record of compliance and environmental excellence.
• Experience in coaching and mentoring others in a technical discipline.
• Degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Data Management or related field.
• Excellent IT literacy (including Excel & Power BI) to enable learning of internal data systems.
• Strong analytical background.

Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £59,000 per annum.
• Annual leave: 26 days per year, increasing to 30 with length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Performance‑related pay plan linked to company and individual performance measures and targets.
• Generous pension scheme through AON.
• Extensive benefits: annual health MOTs, physiotherapy and counselling, Cycle to Work, shopping vouchers, life assurance, and more.

About Thames Water

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, serving over 16 million customers. Our mission is to deliver reliable, sustainable water services while protecting the environment. We offer a diverse, inclusive workplace with flexible working arrangements and opportunities to grow and make a real impact.