Senior water resources planner

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

SES Water has a rich history of serving communities in the South East of England. Water plays an important role in our lives, which is why we're committed to supplying our customers with access to 160 million litres of safe, reliable, clean water every day.

We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you're starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
Role Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Water Resources Planner to lead the strategic planning and management of water resources for SES Water.

This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring long-term water supply resilience, regulatory compliance, and delivery of key programmes including the Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP), regional planning through WRSE, and drought planning.

You will provide technical expertise, strategic direction, and stakeholder leadership-working across the business and with external partners to shape sustainable water resource solutions for the future.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Planning Lead development and ongoing delivery of the Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP)
Own and deliver long-term water resource strategy aligned with regulatory requirements
Conduct annual reviews of water resource position and identify emerging risks
Develop future supply strategies and investment plans
Technical & Analytical Oversight Oversee modelling, data analysis, and forecasting of water availability and demand
Use data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions and prioritise initiatives
Ensure modelling capability meets current and future regulatory planning needs
Guide consultants supporting strategic planning delivery
Programme & Delivery Management Oversee WRMP improvement commitments and report progress to senior leadership
Support delivery of Drought Plans and environmental programmes (e.g. WINEP)
Develop business cases and support investment planning processes
Manage budgets and resource allocation effectively
Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships Build and maintain strong relationships with regulators (Environment Agency, Ofwat, Natural England)
Collaborate with regional groups, local authorities, and industry partners
Represent SES Water in regional planning forums (e.g. WRSE)
Risk & Resilience Identify risks including drought, environmental impact, and infrastructure challenges
Develop mitigation strategies to ensure resilient and sustainable water supply
About You Essential Experience Strong background in water resources management, environmental planning, or similar
Proven experience delivering strategic planning programmes
Experience working within a regulated environment (ideally water industry)
Demonstrated leadership or management experience
Strong project and stakeholder management skills
Key Skills & Behaviours Strategic thinker with strong analytical capability
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects
High attention to detail and organisational skills
Collaborative approach with the ability to influence at senior levels
Qualifications Degree in Science, Environmental, Engineering or related discipline (required)
Professional membership (e.g. CIWEM) desirable
What Success Looks Like Delivery of a robust, compliant and forward-looking WRMP
Strong partnership with regulators and regional stakeholders
Clear, data-driven investment decisions supporting long-term resilience
A high-performing, collaborative water resources planning function
Closing Date: 30th June 2026

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
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