At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and management of water resources for a sustainable future.
- Company: SES Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team that values uniqueness and drives progress.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water sustainability and community well-being.
- Qualifications: Degree in Science, Environmental, Engineering or related discipline required.
The predicted salary is between 59576 - 68231 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose SES Water has a rich history of serving communities in the South East of England. Water plays an important role in our lives, which is why we’re committed to supplying our customers with access to 160 million litres of safe, reliable, clean water every day. 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.
Role Overview We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Water Resources Planner to lead the strategic planning and management of water resources for SES Water. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring long-term water supply resilience, regulatory compliance, and delivery of key programmes including the Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP), regional planning through WRSE, and drought planning. You will provide technical expertise, strategic direction, and stakeholder leadership—working across the business and with external partners to shape sustainable water resource solutions for the future.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership Planning
- Lead development and ongoing delivery of the Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP)
- Own and deliver long-term water resource strategy aligned with regulatory requirements
- Conduct annual reviews of water resource position and identify emerging risks
- Develop future supply strategies and investment plans
- Technical Analytical Oversight
- Oversee modelling, data analysis, and forecasting of water availability and demand
- Use data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions and prioritise initiatives
- Ensure modelling capability meets current and future regulatory planning needs
- Guide consultants supporting strategic planning delivery
- Programme Delivery Management
- Oversee WRMP improvement commitments and report progress to senior leadership
- Support delivery of Drought Plans and environmental programmes (e.g. WINEP)
- Develop business cases and support investment planning processes
- Manage budgets and resource allocation effectively
- Stakeholder Engagement Partnerships
- Build and maintain strong relationships with regulators (Environment Agency, Ofwat, Natural England)
- Collaborate with regional groups, local authorities, and industry partners
- Represent SES Water in regional planning forums (e.g. WRSE)
- Risk Resilience
- Identify risks including drought, environmental impact, and infrastructure challenges
- Develop mitigation strategies to ensure resilient and sustainable water supply
About You
- Essential Experience
- Strong background in water resources management, environmental planning, or similar
- Proven experience delivering strategic planning programmes
- Experience working within a regulated environment (ideally water industry)
- Demonstrated leadership or management experience
- Strong project and stakeholder management skills
- Key Skills Behaviours
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical capability
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects
- High attention to detail and organisational skills
- Collaborative approach with the ability to influence at senior levels
- Qualifications
- Degree in Science, Environmental, Engineering or related discipline (required)
- Professional membership (e.g. CIWEM) desirable
What Success Looks Like
- Delivery of a robust, compliant and forward-looking WRMP
- Strong partnership with regulators and regional stakeholders
- Clear, data-driven investment decisions supporting long-term resilience
- A high-performing, collaborative water resources planning function
Closing Date: 30th June 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 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.
Senior Water Resources Planner in Surrey employer: South West Water
SES Water is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusion and collaboration while providing meaningful opportunities for professional growth in the water resources sector. Located in the South East of England, we offer a dynamic work environment where employees can contribute to sustainable water solutions and engage with key stakeholders, all while being part of a forward-thinking organisation committed to environmental stewardship and community service.
