Water Strategy Consultant in Cowbridge

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world. The water sector is undergoing unprecedented change. Climate risks, population growth, ageing infrastructure, environmental ambition and sector reform are creating some of the most complex challenges the industry has ever faced. Our clients are looking for new ways to plan, invest and adapt, and Arup is helping shape that future.

We are looking for a junior consultant to join our dynamic and growing team, in one of our offices in Bristol, Cardiff and Birmingham, who is excited by the challenge of driving innovation, delivering excellence for our clients, influencing the sector both nationally and internationally through our projects and thought leadership, and working in collaborative, diverse teams. We combine policy, strategy, economics, engineering and asset management expertise to help clients make better long-term decisions. Our work influences national policy, investment decisions and operational strategies across the water sector.

The Mid-West Strategic Water Services team provides expertise in:

• Policy, regulation and governance;
• Strategy and planning, including long-term strategies, adaptive plans, water resources management plans (WRMP), drainage and wastewater management plans (DWMP) and flood risk management strategies;
• Asset management and investment planning.

As part of our growing Strategic Water Services team, you will work with leading water companies, regulators, governments and investors to tackle nationally significant challenges and help create more resilient water systems for people and the environment. You will help us to deliver effective and professional services for a range of varied and high-profile clients, such as Welsh Water, Wessex Water, Northern Ireland Water, Severn Trent Water, The Nature Conservancy, Ofwat, Natural Resources Wales and the Environment Agency. Working as part of a team, your role will be to advise city and infrastructure clients on a range of policy, regulatory, asset management and engineering issues. Across the public and private sectors, you will help manage client relationships with public sector agencies, private sector clients, infrastructure operators and other organisations such as regulators.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across the UK and internationally, you will help deliver strategic advisory services for a range of clients in the water sector. You will contribute to research, analysis, client engagement and project delivery, helping to shape robust and forward-looking solutions. Your responsibilities are likely to include:

• Shaping water sector strategy, policy and investment decisions.
• Supporting clients on climate resilience, water security and infrastructure challenges.
• Analysing data and evidence to develop strategic recommendations.
• Engaging water companies, regulators, governments and stakeholders.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Supporting project delivery, business development and client relationships.
• Contributing to thought leadership and industry best practice.
• Developing expertise through training, mentoring and varied projects.

What we’re looking for:

• Degree in Engineering, Economics, Geography, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Water Science, Public Policy, Asset Management or related field; Master's/PhD desirable.
• Experience in water, regulation, engineering, asset management, investment planning, strategy or a related field.
• Knowledge or strong interest in water regulation, business planning, price reviews, performance frameworks, asset management and investment planning.
• Interest in climate resilience, environmental improvement, water security, affordability and long-term sustainability.
• Understanding of, or willingness to learn, the water sector’s regulatory and policy environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work across engineering, economics, policy, regulation and sustainability, with curiosity, initiative and strong organisation.

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all our members can belong, grow and thrive through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

Different people, shared values. Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave.