Integrated Water Resources Planning Lead

Do you have a thirst for progressing your career and help shape the future of integrated planning? If so, we have an amazing opportunity for a Regional Integrated Water Planning Lead to join the West Country Water and Environment Group (WCWE) to help develop our multi-sector and integrated planning.

What you'll do

The WCWE group is one of five regional groups that operate in the context of the Environment Agency's National Framework. Each group is working to develop more integrated public water supply plans in the long-term, and plan for multiple other sectors that abstract water.

Joining a dynamic team of professionals, you will be central to the long-term planning of our regional water resources across multiple sectors.

Alongside colleagues developing the public water supply plan for water companies, the overall purpose of the role is to develop the multi-sector regional plan. In addition, the role will help move us towards a catchment-based approach to water resources planning.

You will:

• lead the overall production and delivery of the multi-sector regional plan and integrated catchment water resources plans
• work with the Stakeholder Engagement Lead to build capacity in the region through the development of cross-organisational relationships and governance structures 
• translate technical planning information from the public water supply lead work (eg, demand forecasting and supply options) to support development of the multi-sector plan)
• technically appraise information provided by other sectors
• identify sources of funding and opportunities to bring together funding streams to deliver more integrated catchment planning
• work closely with the agricultural sector to develop agricultural supply and demand forecasts and options for supply
• liaise with and influence environmental regulators to support strategic plan development and delivery of solutions
• report plan development, progress and risks to governance structures, including Wessex Water and Pennon Group.

What you'll need

We are looking for a strong combination of technical and softer skills – how things are done will be as important as what is done to build capacity and the links required to develop meaningful and well-supported plans.

Success in this role demands a strong strategic and analytical orientation based on solid cross-sector experience to interpret technical information and develop this in the context of the multi-sector.

This then needs to be coupled with excellent communication skills as well as a highly developed collaborative nature to translate this information and gain buy-in to regional solutions.

The role also exists in a changing regulatory landscape, with significant change in progress as a result of the Independent Water Commission Report.

Vision, energy and enthusiasm are required to help the industry transition to a more integrated planning future.

Additional requirements for the role include:

• a degree or equivalent experience in a relevant engineering or environmental subject
• 5+ years of experience in water businesses or strategic planning in a relevant area (eg, environmental, regulation, flood-risk or catchment-based planning)
• strong experience in cross-organisational working and planning
• a high level of strategic thinking, vision and horizon scanning
• a desire to investigate, analyse and innovate
• excellent two-way dialogue with cross-functional teams
• proven experience developing creative solutions to difficult problems
• excellent time management skills
• being flexible, adaptable and able to work under pressure
• exceptionally good analytical skills
• the ability to translate raw information into actionable strategies and initiatives
• the ability to shape a narrative and structure communications.

What you'll receive

• A combined pension contribution of up to 20%.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• The opportunity to sell up to five days of holiday every year.
• The opportunity to buy up to ten days of holiday each year (subject to conditions).
• A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
• Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
• The opportunity to lease a new electric car through salary sacrifice (subject to conditions).
• Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
• Access to an interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from trained mental health first aiders.
• A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone who is successfully recruited by us. 

Who we are

YTL UK is part of the international YTL Group based in Kuala Lumpur. The UK companies include:

• Wessex Water – one of the top-performing water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, serving 2.9 million people across the South West
• YTL Developments – a major UK developer currently redeveloping a 350-acre former airfield into an award-winning, exciting mix of houses, apartments, schools, commercial space, restaurants and hotels, to make a truly sustainable new community
• YTL Construction UK – a top 20 UK contractor providing fully integrated services to infrastructure, residential, commercial, industry, energy and environmental sectors
• YTL Arena – the development and operation of an entertainment complex that includes a 20,000 capacity arena, conferencing and exhibition space
• plus a number of other retail, environmental and specialist businesses.

Our people tell us that YTL UK is a great place to work, which is why so many of them stay with us! You will have a unique opportunity to develop and progress your career within such a diverse group.

We are passionate about diversity and inclusion – with that in mind, all applicants are welcome. We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer.

If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process, please inform a member of our Recruitment team.