Head of Water Infrastructure

Job summary

Job purpose

Cambridge has become a major incubator of successful tech start-ups contributing significantly to the UK economy. However, Cambridgeshire and its surrounding areas face infrastructure significant challenges. Power, water and transport issues all impact business and housing growth and affect the quality of life for Cambridgeshire’s residents and potentially limit future economic growth.

On 23 July, the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) established the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation (GCDC). The Development Corporation will be responsible for the stewardship and deployment of very significant public capital investment, with capital projects typically measured in multiples of £100 million, and overall programme value measured at over £100bn, delivered over long-time horizons and through complex commercial, land and infrastructure arrangements involving leveraging significant private sector investment.

This role will be responsible for leading strategic vision and integration of water infrastructure within planned spatial growth. Working collaboratively with local partners across Greater Cambridge and with central government, to identify, support and implement a range of solutions to tackle the multi-faceted water infrastructure challenge across the region. You will be the bridge between high-level master planning and on-site delivery, ensuring that water supply, wastewater, and drainage infrastructure are not barriers to growth, but catalysts for resilient, environmentally sustainable high-quality places.

The role will be responsible for working with public and private sector partners to support the government’s ambition for Cambridge and developing joint working relationships across all sectors. Working alongside MHCLG’s Cambridge policy and OxCam Corridor teams, the Combined Authority and local councils, to further identify and promote opportunities to improve water resilience and integrated water management opportunities.

The role will work with the Cambridge Water Scarcity Group relative to the delivery of multiple interventions supporting short-, medium- and long-term initiatives and infrastructure projects that can provide further water resilience and infrastructure targeted to support the accelerated growth of Greater Cambridge.

Responsible for maintaining strong relationships with Anglian Water and Cambridge Water to support and coordinate the planned delivery of major water company infrastructure, alongside Ofwat, Water Resource East and member of the Cambridge Water Scarcity Group.

The role will lead activities in delivering individual water resource projects across the Greater Cambridge region and will support the development of water-efficient developments and sustainable urban design. This includes sustainable drainage solutions, wastewater management and rainwater harvesting systems, flood management and nature-based solutions.

Job description

The post-holder will support environmental assessment activity, ensuring that integrated water management strategies are fundamental approaches and incorporated into broader spatial planning, policy and delivery plans.

The post-holder will also provide in-house intelligent client expertise and support to the wider Cambridge team, including supporting the development of delivery plans and preparation of business cases for capital and resource funding. The role will work with delivery colleagues to de-risk and unlock potential housing, employment and infrastructure opportunities considering all aspect of water infrastructure.

This role is being recruited by Homes England to support the establishment and operation of the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation. The successful candidate will initially be employed by Homes England and will work predominantly on matters relating to the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation and its activities.

Key relationships

• Greater Cambridgeshire Local Authorities and their constituent bodies, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and the elected Mayor.
• Leaders, members and officers of Cambridgeshire LAs, the Greater Cambridgeshire Shared Planning Service (GCSPS), and Councillors (district, ward and parish) as appropriate.
• The Water Scarcity Group (WSG), national and regional partners and bodies, such as Water Resource East, Ofwat and RAPID.
• Other local stakeholders including businesses, the university, landowners, developers, and promoters.
• Colleagues across the GCDC and Homes England
• Relevant committees and boards.
• Colleagues across MHCLG and other Government bodies, such as DEFRA, Environment Agency, Ofwat and Natural England; including where necessary briefing Ministers and other parts of government as required.

Key accountabilities and responsibilities

• Support the Director of Technical Services in developing a strategically impactful team with the right capabilities and capacity to support organisational objectives, specifically around water efficiency, water supply and treatment as part of an integrated water management approach to achieve sustainable urban design and implementation.
• Lead a small team of water specialists, growing the team as necessary, as the growth company resources increase and move towards a longer-term delivery vehicle.
• Establish and develop a deep understanding of the interrelated water infrastructure challenges limiting growth across Greater Cambridge and provide expert guidance, develop strategies and solutions to overcome these.
• Be the lead and strategic intelligent client for all water-related (and other infrastructure) procurement and provide oversight and management of project outcomes, programme and expenditure.
• Manage the delivery of consultancy and infrastructure works packages and contracts necessary to deliver the business plan, including client management of civil engineering projects.
• Be the primary technical lead in negotiations with statutory undertakers (Water Companies), the Environment Agency, and Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) and national government, developing efficient working relationships to ensure an up-to-date strategic overview of water-related infrastructure activity.
• Proactive problem-solving approach, working collaboratively internally and externally on a multidisciplinary basis, leveraging convening power to bring together local authorities, water companies, government agencies, markets and partners.
• Contribute to the Technical Services leadership to identify a wide range of tools to successfully navigate barriers to growth in Cambridge.
• Management and oversight of Senior Managers within the team, who are responsible for delegated water and environmental workstreams. Ensure appropriate resource management plans are in place to deliver this work.
• Effective performance management and leadership of water infrastructure team, managing individuals and groups. Allocates responsibilities and work, providing support and guidance as required. Encouraging learning and development, meeting performance targets.

Person specification

Key skills, knowledge and experience

1. Essential: Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering or other related field.
2. Essential: Chartered status (e.g. CIWEM, CEng, CEnv) or equivalent professional accreditation.
3. Essential: Extensive experience of managing and mitigating water-related infrastructure challenges for major developments and/or transformational urban and civic change projects.
4. Full understanding of Water Resource Management Plans (WRMPs) and Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs), and the role of