Technical Leads: Water Resources, Wastewater and Bioresources in Manchester

At Jacobs, we are challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your Impact: At the forefront of the biggest transformation and unprecedented investment programme of the UK sector in decades, Jacobs along with our JV Partners and Customers bring together exceptional talent and expertise to deliver multiple portfolios of complex turnkey solutions from concept, feasibility, and planning to design, construction management, commissioning and through life asset O&M management, creating once in a generation opportunities.

To ensure success, 3 key roles have been created for skilled strategic thinkers covering each of the following specialisms:

• Wastewater planning
• Clean water resources planning
• Bioresources planning

These portfolios need strategic thinkers, able to support the development of, and review inputs and assumptions in regulatory based frameworks with customers such as with United Utilities, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, Severn Trent Water and Anglian Water. Alongside regularly delivering multi stakeholder projects that also include the Environment Agency, Ofwat and environmental NGOs.

Leading the delivery of strategic planning projects across the UK and Ireland, you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to define long‑term strategic goals, setting investment pathways to deliver and manage uncertainty using adaptive planning techniques. You will also lead the delivery of shorter‑term business strategy and investment plans, at all times ensuring technical excellence, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead multidisciplinary teams to develop strategic plans for the water sector.
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, regulators, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Manage project scope, budget, schedule, and risk mitigation to ensure successful delivery.
• Ensure technical compliance and quality.
• Promote and drive innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement across project delivery.
• Create and promote a collaborative team environment.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• Experience with developing water resources, wastewater or bioresources strategic plans.
• Familiarity with UK water sector regulation.
• Proven experience leading the delivery of strategic plans for the UK water sector.
• Demonstrable track record delivering multi‑sector strategic planning projects.
• A sound knowledge of one of the following – water resources, wastewater resources or bioresources planning in the UK and Ireland.
• An understanding of strategic planning frameworks across the water and land environments.
• Relevant degree (engineering, science‑based).

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering programme, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. As a disability‑confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process, please contact the team via Careers Support.