Chief Strategic Planner (Wastewater)

As Chief Strategic Planner (Wastewater) you will deliver an industry leading approach to environmental and asset planning, applying an integrated and holistic catchment systems thinking approach to the delivery of our end to end service for the next 25 years. You'll lead the development of a new generation of asset plans, with lenses at a geographical (county) and regional (asset class) level. You will lead and integrate all critical and statutory environmental planning activity for wastewater across UU, including the Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP) and PR29.

Job Accountabilities

You'll sponsor the delivery of the regulatory investment portfolio for AMP8 c£6bn and be responsible for leading:

• the development of a new generation of strategic, integrated county and catchment level plans to deliver a resilient long term wastewater service to customers across the North West.
• the development of new regional, asset class centric plans. Understanding risk and maintenance requirements of particular asset types and defining renewal and maintenance strategies by asset type, e.g. critical sewers, rising mains, inlets etc.
• the UU approach to catchment systems thinking, building integrated placed based plans for all aspects water management across the North West, informing PR24 and our long term strategy.
• all environmental planning discussions and liaison with our environmental regulators and stakeholders, including DEFRA, the Environment Agency and Natural England, as well as the Rivers Trust, National Trust and other NGOs.
• the development and delivery of the 25-year long term plan for drainage and wastewater recycling, including delivery of the statutory Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP24).
• the development of an agreed suite of relevant policies and strategies to guide the business in its development of PR29, aligned to the new corporate vision ‘Greener, Stronger and Healthier' and purpose.
• horizon scanning across the wastewater sector, developing plans and research proposals to understand new and emerging threats, such as micro-plastics, PFAS and pharmaceuticals.

Knowledge and Skills

You must be a strategic and innovative thinker with the ability to create and deliver plans which align to the strategic priorities and tactical needs of the business, along with:

• the ability to make informed judgement through well-developed business acumen and the analysis of complex information, often completed by others.
• must possess and be able to generate confidence internally and externally as a subject matter expert on industry and regulatory matters.
• have a proven ability to commission, marshal and present research and other evidence in support of policy positions.
• possess strong practical and theoretical knowledge of water & wastewater networks, treatment and waste management within the water industry both nationally and internationally.
• have proven communication skills (both verbal and written) with the ability to influence and persuade strategic decisions at a senior level (including board level).
• have the ability to influence multiple teams (both direct and indirect) to ensure that the wholesale business plans are delivered through business as usual and business change activity.
• have understanding of the regulatory frameworks and company business plan, strategic direction.
• be highly numerate with a well-developed understanding of business case development and the benefits framework requirements and workings.
• have experience of preparing regulatory submissions, including annual reporting and price control processes; specifically the evidence, assurance and demonstration of regulatory need.
• demonstrate excellent planning and organisational skills to facilitate management of own workload, and workload of direct and indirect teams to deliver to internal and external deadlines and quality expectations.
• maintain their knowledge and skills to be able to develop themselves within their role.