Planning & Consents Manager

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Salary: Salary and package are to be discussed at the screening stage.

Job Overview

Southern Water is embarking on a critical period of transformation and investment — and we need an exceptional leader to help shape how we deliver it. We’re looking for a Planning & Consents Manager to build and lead a new Planning & Consents function within our Capital Delivery Enabling Team.

This is a rare opportunity to create and drive a planning strategy from the ground up , directly influencing how we secure and deliver major infrastructure projects, including Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and statutory planning consents for our AMP8 capital programme and beyond.

Responsibilities will include:

• As Planning & Consents Manager, you\’ll play a pivotal role in safeguarding and progressing Southern Water’s infrastructure development ambitions. You’ll be responsible for:
• Establishing a high-performing in-house team of ~7 Town & Country Planners, developing them into a centre of technical excellence.
• Leading the delivery of DCO and planning consents across our Capital Programme — both directly and via our framework partners.
• Creating and implementing effective planning and consultation strategies, ensuring alignment with our broader capital and water resource management plans.
• Advising on planning strategy, technical issues, and programme development from project inception to execution.
• Maximising use of permitted development rights and shaping early project decisions to streamline consenting.
• Representing Southern Water in consultations with Local Planning Authorities, statutory bodies, and Government departments.
• Influencing planning reform and policy at local and national levels to protect and promote Southern Water’s long-term interests.
• Managing procurement, budgets, and performance of framework suppliers and consultants.

About You

We’re looking for a forward-thinking and strategic planning professional with extensive experience managing planning consents within complex, regulated, or infrastructure-heavy environments—experience in the water sector would be an advantage. You’ll bring a deep understanding of UK planning legislation, particularly the Town and Country Planning Act, the General Permitted Development Order, and the Environment Act. You’ll have a proven track record in delivering Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and major planning consents, ideally for large-scale infrastructure projects, along with experience in building and developing high-performing teams. Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills are essential, especially when working with Government and regulatory bodies. You’ll be a confident communicator, able to convey technical, regulatory, and strategic insights clearly at all levels, and bring a proactive, analytical mindset with excellent problem-solving and organisational skills.

Package

This role will be full time Monday to Friday 37 hours a week.

Southern Water operate a hybrid approach to working between our Falmer office and home.

We are offering a salary of up to TBC per annum depending on skills and experience as well as other benefits including:

• Company and performance-related bonus

• Generous pension up to 11% company contribution

• 25 days annual leave

• Life assurance equal to 4x salary

• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)

• Full funded eye tests

• Two paid volunteering days a year

• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers

• Study support may be available for job-related qualifications

• Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options

• Cycle to work scheme

Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?

Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That’s why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve. Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position.

Privacy Statement:

Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application.

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.

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