At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic development and long-term planning for Welsh Water's corporate strategy.
- Company: Welsh Water, a regulated organisation focused on sustainable water management.
- Benefits: Enhanced pension contributions, flexible working, and employee wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with strong progression opportunities and a commitment to employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Shape the future of water services while making a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Degree in strategy, business, or related field; senior-level experience in strategy development.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Reporting to the Strategy Director, the Senior Strategy Manager plays a central role in shaping Welsh Water's strategic direction by leading the development of strategic content, coordinating long‑term business planning, and liaising with stakeholders on strategic issues. The role is responsible for supporting the end‑to‑end strategy and business planning processes, ensuring that long‑term pathways, choices and trade‑offs are clearly articulated, credible and grounded in evidence. The postholder brings together horizon scanning, insight and organisational inputs to develop coherent strategic narratives that inform Executive and Board decision‑making.
- Play a leading role in development and oversight of Dŵr Cymru's long‑term corporate strategy.
- Develop and articulate long‑term planning pathways and directional choices, supporting clarity on options, dependencies and implications over 5, 10 and 25‑year horizons.
- Lead and coordinate horizon scanning activity across political, regulatory, environmental, technological and societal domains, translating emerging trends into strategic insights and implications.
- Manage strategic planning frameworks and governance, ensuring alignment between corporate strategy, business planning and asset investment.
- Prepare high‑quality written materials for Executive and Board consideration, including strategy papers, long‑term plans and options narratives.
- Work closely with Regulation, Finance, Asset Planning, Customer and Operations teams to ensure long‑term plans are informed by evidence.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of tools to promote a strong strategic culture across the organisation, encouraging long‑term thinking, collaboration and evidence‑based decision‑making.
- Support the development of policy positions on regulatory reform and national plans, and engage with external stakeholders to push forward and shape reforms to the regulatory framework in Wales, in line with the needs of our strategy and plans.
- Support government and policy engagement by producing policy analysis, insights and strategic positions to inform external consultations and national strategic plans.
Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent professional qualification in strategy, business, economics, public policy, social science or a related discipline.
- Postgraduate qualification in strategy, public policy or business (desirable).
- Significant senior‑level experience working in strategy development, regulatory policy or business planning within a complex, preferably regulated, organisation.
- Proven experience leading or supporting structured strategy development processes and multi‑year business planning, from early thinking through to Executive and Board sign‑off.
- Strong track record of authoring high‑quality strategy documents, long‑term plans or position papers for senior decision‑makers.
- Experience synthesising inputs from multiple disciplines (e.g. insight, regulation, finance, operations) into coherent long‑term narratives.
- Experience undertaking or coordinating horizon scanning and translating emerging trends into strategic implications.
- Experience operating in regulated, infrastructure companies (desirable).
- Deep knowledge of the UK water sector, regulatory environment, government policy drivers and price reviews.
- Strong understanding of strategy development methodologies, including long‑term planning and pathway‑based approaches.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data and insight into strategic recommendations.
- Exceptional written communication and document authorship skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively across different parts of an organisation, forming strong networks.
- Strong critical thinking, synthesis and judgement.
- Ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders across organisational boundaries.
Benefits
- Variable pay schemes
- Enhanced employer pension contributions – up to 11% employer contributions
- Several internal employee networks including Embrace, LGBT+, Neurodiverse, Disability, Women of Welsh Water, Parents, Wellbeing and many more…
- Enhanced family‑friendly policies
- Progression opportunities, including the ability to apply for funded training and coaching and mentoring programmes
- Reduction on high‑street & online shopping
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme / car‑leasing scheme
- Online GP service
- Voluntary private healthcare
- Free mortgage brokering service
- An employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate family
- Free Headspace App to support your wellbeing
- Colleague‑matched fundraising scheme up to the value of £500 per year for your chosen charity
- 20% off all Welsh Water visitor attraction centres and gift shops
- Flexible working patterns
Strategy Manager in Cardiff employer: Dwr Cymru Cyf
Welsh Water is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth, offering a range of benefits including enhanced pension contributions, flexible working patterns, and access to various internal networks that promote inclusivity. With a strong focus on collaboration and strategic development, employees are encouraged to engage in meaningful work that shapes the future of water services in Wales, while also enjoying opportunities for training and career progression.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategy Manager in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Welsh Water on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Welsh Water's recent projects and strategic goals. Show us that you’re not just familiar with the company but genuinely passionate about its mission and future direction.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice articulating your strategic insights clearly and confidently. We want to see how you can translate complex ideas into actionable strategies, so get comfortable discussing your thought process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategy Manager in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Strategy Manager, so highlight relevant projects or achievements that showcase your strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:Since the role involves preparing high-quality written materials, it’s crucial to demonstrate your writing prowess. Use clear, concise language and structure your application well. We’re looking for someone who can articulate complex ideas simply and effectively.
Highlight Collaborative Experience:This position requires working closely with various teams, so don’t forget to mention any collaborative projects you’ve been part of. We love seeing examples of how you’ve built strong networks and worked across different departments to achieve common goals.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dwr Cymru Cyf
✨Know Your Strategy Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Welsh Water's current strategy and any recent developments in the water sector. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their long-term planning pathways and how you can contribute to shaping their strategic direction.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to translate complex data into actionable insights. Think about times you've successfully synthesised information from various sources to inform strategic decisions, as this will resonate well with the role's requirements.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your experience in liaising with different teams and stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you've previously collaborated across departments to ensure alignment in strategy and business planning, showcasing your ability to build strong networks.
✨Craft High-Quality Written Materials
Since the role involves preparing documents for senior decision-makers, bring samples of your previous work or be ready to discuss your writing process. Highlight your ability to create clear, coherent narratives that effectively communicate strategic insights and recommendations.
