Strategic Planning Lead: Future-Ready & Impactful

South East Water UK; Snodland; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stakeholder pension (up to 10%)

Holiday entitlement (5 weeks +) with 6

Flexible annual leave

Volunteer days

Cycle to work

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

South East Water is seeking a Strategic Planning Lead to shape long-term direction and coordinate interlocking plans. You will listen to communities, translate insights into strategy, and align programs across the business to stay ahead in a changing environment.

You will manage governance of the Strategic Direction Statement, monitor trends, and ensure deliverables are clear, concise, and impactful. A background in water sector or regulated utilities is preferred, with strong data literacy and

Qualifications

• Solid numeracy and literacy demonstrated at secondary level.
• Data literacy and ability to work with data for planning.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to co-create strategy documents with stakeholders.
• Experience developing strategic documents and simplifying complex information.
• Familiarity with five-year regulatory plans (e.g., PR24) and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Create and coordinate strategic documents, ensuring they stay current and reflect stakeholder views.
• Listen to customers and stakeholders to guide planning.
• Agree core assumptions used across planning.
• Ensure cross-team alignment of strategies.
• Monitor external trends and risks to stay ahead.
• Maintain high-quality, accessible strategy documents.
• Coordinate engagement with water sector reform and track programmes.

Skills

Data literacy

Analytical thinking

Writing and presentation

Collaboration

Project management

Workload management

Regulatory framework awareness

Strategic thinking

Education

Secondary education with numeracy and literacy

Job description

South East Water is seeking a Strategic Planning Lead to shape long-term direction and coordinate interlocking plans. You will listen to communities, translate insights into strategy, and align programs across the business to stay ahead in a changing environment.

You will manage governance of the Strategic Direction Statement, monitor trends, and ensure deliverables are clear, concise, and impactful. A background in water sector or regulated utilities is preferred, with strong data literacy and