Water Resource Management Technical Lead

idibu; England; Hybrid; GBP 77,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK water management company seeks a Senior Technical Leader to oversee the implementation of the water resources strategy. This crucial role involves leading a team of specialists to deliver the next water resource management plan while collaborating with the Environment Agency. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from £77,000 to £95,000 per annum, along with generous benefits such as annual leave, a pension scheme, and private healthcare.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual Leave - 26 days plus bank holidays

Car Allowance

Performance-related pay

Generous Pension Scheme

Private Medical Health Care

Qualifications

• In-depth technical experience in the water industry is essential.
• Expert knowledge of planning and water efficiency issues required.
• Experience influencing and collaborating with regulators needed.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee the technical delivery of the water resource management plan.
• Lead a team for the development of WRMP29.
• Coordinate activities with independent technical experts.

Skills

Technical experience in water industry

Expert knowledge of water issues

Ability to influence regulators

Experience in strategy development

Departmental collaboration

Education

Degree in hydrology or environmental science

Job description

We are looking to recruit a Senior Technical Leader who will direct and oversee the technical development and validity of the company's water resources strategy and its implementation through the company's Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) and Business Plan.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take a directing role in the future direction of water resources in the South‑East of England. You will be a leader in the Water Resources Management Team, who are responsible for ensuring a cost‑effective balance of supply and demand options to deliver water to our customers to the year 2100.

This activity is critical to the ongoing success of Thames Water, ensuring we deliver what our customers expect of us, including a safe and reliable supply of water, environmental benefit and reductions in leakage and customer usage.

What you’ll be doing as a Water Resources Management Technical Lead

• You will be responsible for the technical delivery of our next water resource management plan (WRMP29).
• Oversee a team of skilled water resources specialists to successfully develop the plan, and work closely with 5 other water companies that form part of Water Resources South East to produce the Regional Plan.
• Seek to influence the development of planning methodologies for the WRMP both by working directly with the Environment Agency and through the Water Resources South East (WRSE) regional planning group.
• You will have responsibility for steering the overall production of the WRMP documentation suite, including the statement of response and the WRMP Annual Review.
• You will lead and coordinate the activities of independent technical and legal experts in reviewing work undertaken to promote large strategic supply options.
• You will also be involved in the delivery of our current water resource management plan (WRMP24), which includes the largest rollout of customer metering in the UK water industry, plans to reduce leakage by 50%, and includes the need to develop multi‑billion‑pound strategic resource options.
• This is a ‘Hybrid’ role with the base location being Clearwater Court in Reading, and with an expectation of 2 days in the office or on site.
• Working pattern or hours is Monday to Friday, 36 hours a week.

• Some travel will be expected across the Thames Water estate.

What you should bring to the role

We are looking for a water industry expert with a substantial knowledge base, both of water assets and the water resources system, alongside the legislative and policy environment within which water resources planning is undertaken.

You must have:

• Significant in‑depth technical experience in the water industry.
• Expert knowledge and experience of critical water issues for the water industry (e.g. water resources planning, water resources options, leakage, metering and water efficiency).
• Experience of influencing and working collaboratively with regulators and non‑governmental organisations.
• Experience with strategy development and securing buy‑in from all levels across the business.
• Ability to work across departments, teams and technical specialists at all levels of the company.

It would be desirable if you also had the following:

• Line management experience and experience managing external providers.
• Degree or professional qualification in a relevant discipline, for example, hydrology, environmental science or water resources management.
• Experience working in other aspects of the water industry/capital projects, for example, operations, strategy & regulation, capital delivery, or infrastructure consenting.
• Experience in giving expert evidence, withstanding critical cross‑examination and delivering a plan suitable for external scrutiny.
• Experience managing budgets and large technical projects, involving multiple stakeholders.
• Previous end‑to‑end delivery of strategic plan within the water industry.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary between £77,000 & £95,000 per annum depending on experience.
• Annual Leave – 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Car Allowance.
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks.

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job, and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values.

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know. We’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.