Water Resource Planner

Our water company client is seeking a Water Resources Planner or Senior Water Resources Planner to join their Water Resources team based in Havant on a permanent basis.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development and delivery of long-term water resource strategies, including the Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) and Drought Plan. The successful candidate will focus on demand forecasting, demand management initiatives, water resource planning, and helping ensure sustainable water supplies for future generations in the face of climate change, environmental challenges, and population growth.

You'll work at the heart of strategic decision-making, collaborating with internal stakeholders, industry partners, consultants, and regulators to tackle some of the region's most important environmental challenges.

The role will suit someone looking to grow in the role or someone more established in Water resource management.

🚀 Key Responsibilities

• 📊 Support the development, maintenance and reporting of the Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) and Drought Plan.
• 🔍 Analyse, interpret and present water resource and demand data to support strategic planning activities.
• 📈 Assist with demand forecasting and water resource modelling, providing clear insights and recommendations from outputs.
• 💧 Monitor water resource performance and produce regular reporting to support business decision-making.
• 🤝 Manage and coordinate consultants and external delivery partners to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• 🏢 Represent the client at technical working groups, stakeholder meetings and industry forums.
• 👥 Collaborate with teams including smart metering, water efficiency, leakage, developer services, reservoir programmes, production planning, regulatory compliance and environmental programmes.
• ✅ Support continuous improvement initiatives, KPI delivery, regulatory compliance and a strong health and safety culture.

Additional Responsibilities for Senior Water Resources Planner

• 🎯 Provide technical leadership and guidance across water resources and demand management programmes.
• 📋 Lead elements of strategic planning and regulatory submissions, including support for future price reviews.
• 🔄 Oversee the delivery and implementation of WRMP actions through effective stakeholder engagement and programme management.
• 🌐 Represent the client at regional water resources planning groups and industry working forums.
• 📢 Support senior leadership, Executive Team and Board-level reporting on water resources performance, risks and opportunities.
• 🎓 Mentor and support junior team members, sharing technical expertise and best practice.

🎓 Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Degree qualification (or equivalent) in Water Resources, Environmental Science, Geography, Civil Engineering, Hydrology, or a related discipline.
• Professional membership of a relevant institution, or actively working towards chartered/professional status (e.g. CIWEM, Institute of Water).
• 🔢 Strong analytical and numerical skills with the ability to interpret complex datasets.
• 💡 Experience or knowledge of water resources planning, demand forecasting, demand management, or related disciplines.
• ✍️ Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical reporting.
• 📅 Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• 💻 Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other analytical or modelling tools.
• 🤝 Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Additional Requirements for Senior Water Resources Planner

• ✅ Demonstrable experience delivering water resources planning projects within the UK water sector.
• 📚 Strong understanding of regulatory and industry planning frameworks, including:
• Water Resources Management Planning (WRMP)
• Drought Planning
• WINEP and Environmental Destination programmes
• Demand and supply forecasting
• Options appraisal and investment planning
• 👨‍💼 Experience providing technical leadership and stakeholder management.
• 📈 Strong project management capabilities and the ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders.
• ⚡ Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes in a fast-paced environment.

🎁 Benefits

• 💰 Competitive salary dependent on experience up to £61k per annum
• 🏡 Flexible and hybrid working arrangements. (1 or 2 office/site days a week - 38 hour working week)
• 🌱 Opportunity to work on high-profile environmental and sustainability challenges.
• 🎓 Ongoing professional development and support towards chartership.
• 🚀 Exposure to strategic planning, regulatory engagement and major infrastructure programmes.
• 🤝 Collaborative, supportive and purpose-driven working environment.
• 💧 The opportunity to make a real impact on long-term water security and environmental sustainability.