Head of Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan... South West Water · Exeter (Peninsula House)

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes. 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 support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

We’re looking for an exceptional strategic leader to join our Asset Management team as Head of Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan & Systems Planning. This is a pivotal leadership role with accountability for shaping the future of our wastewater systems over the next 25 to 50 years and beyond. You'll own the development, governance and continuous evolution of our Drainage & Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP), ensuring our long-term plans are evidence-led, resilient, adaptable and aligned to customer, environmental and regulatory outcomes.

Working at the intersection of strategy, regulation, asset management and investment planning, you'll translate complex system challenges into clear, prioritised programmes that drive sustainable investment and long-term resilience for our customers and communities. You’ll act as the company's recognised authority on wastewater systems planning, representing the business with regulators, stakeholders and regional partners while helping shape the future of the sector.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead the development, governance and publication of the company's Drainage & Wastewater Management Plan.
• Own the long-term planning framework for wastewater systems, ensuring plans remain robust, adaptive and defensible.
• Integrate growth, climate change, environmental obligations, resilience requirements and asset health considerations into a single strategic view.
• Develop and maintain long-term planning assumptions and future scenarios covering population growth, climate change, regulatory change and technological developments.
• Lead strategic options appraisal and investment pathway development across complex wastewater systems.
• Translate long‑term strategic requirements into prioritised investment programmes aligned with AMP delivery and future price reviews.
• Build strong relationships with regulators including Ofwat, the Environment Agency and other key stakeholders.
• Represent the company in regional and national planning forums.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing systems planning function, establishing best practice, governance and planning excellence across the organisation.
• Ensure all planning evidence, modelling and decision‑making frameworks can withstand regulatory and independent scrutiny.

What we are looking for:

You’ll be a strategic thinker with the ability to combine technical expertise, regulatory insight and strong leadership skills. We're looking for someone with:

• Significant senior leadership experience in strategic planning, systems planning or asset management within a regulated utility or environmental sector.
• Experience leading the development of DWMPs or equivalent long‑term statutory planning frameworks.
• A strong understanding of wastewater systems, environmental drivers and long‑term infrastructure planning.
• Proven experience leading complex options appraisal, scenario planning and adaptive investment strategies.
• Experience working with regulators, statutory bodies and key stakeholders at a senior level.
• The ability to communicate complex technical and planning information clearly to executive, regulatory and public audiences.
• A track record of leading multidisciplinary teams and driving organisational capability.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline.
• Chartered status (or working towards) with a recognised professional institution such as ICE, CIWEM, RICS, BCS or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge and experience of long‑term planning within a regulated environment.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of asset management frameworks such as ISO 55000.
• Understanding of information management standards including ISO 19650.
• Project or programme management qualifications.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of wastewater services across the region. You'll influence investment decisions worth billions of pounds, help address some of the biggest challenges facing the water industry, and leave a lasting legacy through resilient, sustainable planning that benefits customers, communities and the environment for generations to come.

30 days annual leave + bank holidays, Bonus, Private Healthcare, Company car or cash for car allowance, Competitive contributory pension, Share‑save scheme, Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes, Group discounts, Cycle to Work scheme, Financial support services, Development and training opportunities… and much more!

Closing Date: 14th Aug 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. 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 every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way. Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.