WINEP Project Lead

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company in the UK is seeking a WINEP Project Lead to drive sustainable water management initiatives. The role involves managing key projects related to water resources and collaborating with technical consultants. Ideal candidates will possess a relevant technical degree, experience in the water industry, and strong communication skills. This full-time position offers a competitive salary of £46,000 to £58,000 and includes flexible hybrid working options.

Benefits

26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with length of service

Generous Pension Scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

Cycle to Work schemes and shopping vouchers

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the Water Industry National Environment Programme and Water Framework Directive in a UK context.
• Experience working in water resources, water industry, or environmental regulation.
• Graduate with a relevant technical degree and membership of a professional body.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to analyse data and make sound decisions.
• Competence in using company IT systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical lead for WINEP investigations and regulatory applications.
• Review and challenge technical reports from consultants.
• Manage consultants to ensure timely delivery of projects.
• Support the development of the Water Resource Management Plan.
• Engage with stakeholders and environmental regulators.
• Develop catchment monitoring strategies with the team.

Skills

Technical understanding of the Water Industry National Environment Programme

Experience in water resources or environmental regulation

Excellent communication skills

Project delivery

Data analysis

Education

Relevant technical degree (environmental, hydrology, hydrogeology or hydroecology)

Tools

Company IT systems and office software

Job description

Job title WINEP Project Lead Ref 43245 Division Strategic Water Resources Location Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time or part-time Salary Offering between £46,000 and £58,000 per annum Job grade B Closing date 11/12/2025

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Water Resources team as a WINEP Project Lead, where you’ll help shape how we achieve sustainable abstraction.

We are seeking a skilled and experienced WINEP Project Lead to join our Water Resources team. You will be responsible for the successful delivery of part of our large programme of low flows WINEP investigations, Options Appraisals, Water Framework Directive Regulation 19 exemption applications as well as supporting our aim to achieve long term sustainable abstraction through Environmental Destination.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing technical lead to support the delivery of Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) low flow investigations and Water Framework no deterioration investigations, Regulation 19 exemption applications, Environmental Destination and Options Appraisals.
• Critically reviewing and challenging consultant’s technical reports through sound knowledge of a specialist area and driving technical excellence.
• Managing appointed consultants to deliver the Water Resource WINEP programme to ensure technically robust and timely delivery of the projects by the agreed regulatory output dates.
• Support the development of Water Resource Management Plan 29 programme through development and refinement of Environmental Destination Scenarios.
• Technical engagement with environmental Regulators, stakeholder and other water companies to ensure successful completion of the WINEP programme.
• Working alongside consultants and the Water Resources Team to develop catchment monitoring strategies.

Base Location: Hybrid working from our Reading office 2 days a week, Tuesday and Thursday. There will be some occasional visits to sites.

Working Pattern: Full-time, Monday–Friday (36 hours per week)

This position is paying a salary of between £46,000 and £58,000 per annum based on experience.

What you’ll bring to the role:

• Have a strong technical understanding of the Water Industry National Environment Programme and the Water Framework Directive in a UK Industry context.
• Have experience of working in water resources / water industry / environmental regulation.
• Be a graduate or equivalent with a relevant technical degree, preferably environmental, hydrology, hydrogeology or hydroecology and supported by a membership of a professional body.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, able to translate technical findings into clear insights for diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrate the ability to deliver projects to meet technical, stakeholder and commercial objectives.
• Possess the ability to analyse data and make sound decisions on partial information.
• Be fully competent at using the appropriate company IT systems and office software.
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• Write and coordinate technical reports, communication documents to a high standard and to meet robust internal and regulatory deadlines.

Extra qualities that would be a great fit for our team:

• Be adept in planning and financial management with commercial awareness.
• Driving License and access to a car.

What’s in it for you?

Joining Thames Water means becoming part of a supportive, innovative team where your strategic vision makes a tangible difference. You'll play a vital role in creating sustainable water management strategies. Alongside career growth and professional recognition, you’ll receive:

• Competitive salary from £46,000 to £58,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus, bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• 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.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is a great, diverse and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process . We aim to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support .

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.