Water Resources Planning Specialist

Arup; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit Share

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Accident insurance

Income protection

Job summary

Arup is seeking a Water Resources Planning Specialist to join the Water Resources team in the UK. You will support water companies to develop resilient, evidence‑based plans addressing future water needs and climate change challenges.

The role focuses on technical planning work with experts across hydrology, environmental assessment, economics and engineering, delivering robust planning evidence. You will lead defined technical work packages, deliver clear recommendations, and contribute to

Qualifications

• Experience in water resources planning, water company planning, hydrology, environmental assessment or a related discipline.
• A degree, or equivalent experience, in water resources, civil engineering, environmental engineering, geography, environmental science, hydrology or a related subject.
• Understanding of WRMPs, Drought Plans, supply‑demand balance assessment and resilience planning.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills, with experience analysing technical or environmental datasets.
• Ability to prepare clear technical reports and communicate complex information simply.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Water resources planning, strategy development and supply‑demand balance assessment.
• Drought resilience, adaptive planning and climate change scenario testing.
• Water resources modelling, data analysis and interpretation of planning evidence.
• Option appraisal, best‑value planning and Strategic Resource Options.
• Environmental and regulatory assessment, including SEA, HRA and WFD‑related inputs.
• Clear technical reporting, client workshops, consultations and regulatory submissions.

Skills

Water resources planning

Hydrology

Data analysis

Technical reporting

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in water resources / related field

Tools

GIS

Regulatory submissions

Digital delivery

Job description

Joining ARUP

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Joining ARUP

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We work across the entire water cycle, with utilities, local and regional governments, commercial and domestic water users and other partners. From designing and maintaining key water infrastructure to advising on natural catchments and flood defences, we help clients to consider the long‑term economic, environmental and social dimensions of their proposals.

The opportunity

We are seeking a Water Resources Planning Specialist to join our growing Water Resources team, supporting water companies to develop resilient, sustainable and evidence‑based plans to meet future water needs.

Water resources planning is central to responding to climate change, population growth, environmental protection and long‑term resilience. Working across Water Resource Management Plans, Drought Plans, regional planning studies and Strategic Resource Options, you will help clients make informed decisions about future water supplies, drought resilience and investment priorities.

This is primarily a technical specialist role, rather than a project management position. You will take ownership of defined technical work packages, working alongside specialists in hydrology, environmental assessment, economics, engineering and digital delivery to develop robust planning evidence and clear recommendations.

The Role Will Focus On

• Water resources planning, strategy development and supply‑demand balance assessment.
• Drought resilience, adaptive planning and climate change scenario testing.
• Water resources modelling, data analysis and interpretation of planning evidence.
• Option appraisal, best‑value planning and Strategic Resource Options.
• Environmental and regulatory assessment, including SEA, HRA and WFD‑related inputs.
• Clear technical reporting, client workshops, consultations and regulatory submissions.

Is this role right for you?

If you have all or some of the skills and experience below, and a passion for making a difference in the water sector - we’d love to hear from you.

• Experience in water resources planning, water company planning, hydrology, environmental assessment or a related discipline.
• A degree, or equivalent experience, in water resources, civil engineering, environmental engineering, geography, environmental science, hydrology or a related subject.
• Understanding of WRMPs, Drought Plans, supply‑demand balance assessment and resilience planning.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills, with experience analysing technical or environmental datasets.
• Ability to prepare clear technical reports and communicate complex information simply.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable

• Experience supporting SROs or regional planning studies.
• Knowledge of water resources and drought planning guidance, including relevant methods and emerging issues.
• Knowledge of climate change adaptation, adaptive planning, options appraisal or best‑value planning.
• Understanding of SEA, HRA or WFD.
• Experience with GIS, spatial analysis, digital delivery, regulatory submissions or consultation.
• Chartered status, or progress towards chartership, with CIWEM, ICE or another relevant institution.

You do not need to meet every requirement to apply. If you bring relevant experience, strong analytical skills and a willingness to keep learning, we would like to hear from you.

This role is intended for an established technical professional who is developing recognised expertise in water resources planning. You will lead defined technical work packages, provide high‑quality planning advice and contribute to major water resources programmes, with support from senior specialists and project managers on overall project leadership and commercial management.

What We Offer You

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefitsto help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different people, shared values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross‑cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup atwww.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact [e-mail] to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

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