Environmental Planning & Delivery Manager

Shape the future of catchment partnerships. Deliver real environmental outcomes. We’re looking for an ambitious and collaborative Environmental Planning and Delivery Manager to lead the next phase of partnership working across our catchments. This role sits at the heart of how we work with others to deliver meaningful environmental improvements—supporting regulatory obligations while creating wider benefits for rivers, communities and ecosystems.

Building on the success of our Smarter Water Catchments and Flagship Chalk Stream programmes, you’ll play a key role in evolving how we design and deliver partnership projects—bringing together stakeholders, funding and innovative delivery models to achieve outcomes that matter. This is a high‑impact role with real scope to shape how catchment and partnership working is embedded across the business.

You’ll lead the development and delivery of partnership projects that meet WINEP obligations for AMP8, while creating a robust pipeline of opportunities to support AMP9 and beyond. You’ll also influence how we work internally—helping to adapt processes, decision‑making and procurement approaches so that partnership and co‑delivery become the norm rather than the exception.

What you’ll be doing as Environmental Planning & Delivery Manager:

• Leading the continuation and evolution of existing Smarter Water Catchment and Flagship Chalk Stream projects.
• Designing and delivering new partnership‑led solutions to meet AMP8 and WINEP requirements.
• Developing a strong pipeline of catchment and partnership opportunities for future investment periods.
• Working across the business to develop and improve processes that enable effective partnership delivery.
• Exploring and implementing innovative funding and delivery models, including opportunities for co‑funding.
• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with environmental stakeholders, regulators, communities and delivery partners.
• Ensuring learning from current initiatives is embedded into future plans and approaches.

What you should bring to the role:

• Experience operating at a senior level in catchment, environmental or partnership planning, ideally within the utilities or regulated sector.
• An environmentally based degree or equivalent experience.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage diverse and sometimes challenging audiences.
• A background in environmental science, planning or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• A proven track record of successful project or programme delivery.
• The ability to set direction, lead change and bring others with you.
• Excellent communication, influencing and presentation skills.
• A good understanding of the water industry, the environmental policy landscape and how water companies interface with communities and stakeholders.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness, ideally developed within a regulated environment.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £70,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave – 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Car Allowance – £5,800.
• Annual Bonus – up to 25% of base salary.
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• Access to benefits to support health, well‑being and finances, including annual health MOTs, physiotherapy, counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Working at Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits. We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.