Principal Water Resources Planning Lead

Location: Birmingham or London

Salary: Up to -70,000
Contract: Fixed-term to 31 December 2027, with potential for extension or conversion to permanent
Working arrangement: Hybrid / flexible working

Advance TRS is supporting a public-sector organisation with the appointment of a Principal-level Water Resources Planning Lead.

This is an opportunity for an experienced water resources professional to help shape national water resources planning and investment policy, working across government, regulators and the water industry.

You will take a leading role in the development and implementation of water resources planning frameworks, helping to ensure that long-term water supply requirements, environmental considerations and investment decisions are aligned. The role combines technical oversight, policy development, stakeholder engagement and team leadership.

You will lead work across water resources planning and regulatory policy, with responsibilities including:

• Overseeing the delivery of current Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs) and preparing for future planning cycles.
• Providing technical direction and making decisions on complex supply-demand balance and water security issues.
• Leading engagement with government departments, regulators, water companies and other industry stakeholders.
• Developing and influencing strategic planning frameworks, including the links between water resources plans, company business plans and investment programmes.
• Supporting the development of water efficiency policy and associated regulatory guidance.
• Coordinating technical assessments and contributing to evidence-based policy decisions.
• Ensuring water resources planning aligns with wider regulatory frameworks and investment processes.
• Working with colleagues responsible for major strategic water supply schemes and wider investment programmes.
• Managing a small technical team, including workload planning, prioritisation and professional development.
• Contributing to wider organisational strategy and future regulatory planning.

You will have significant experience in water resources planning, with the ability to combine technical understanding with policy development, strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement.

Your experience may have been gained in a water company, consultancy, regulatory body, government organisation or another relevant part of the water sector.

You will ideally bring:

• Experience in water resources planning, including planning frameworks, supply scheme development, water efficiency or environmental strategy.
• A good understanding of wider environmental issues and their relationship with the water industry.
• Experience developing and implementing policy, or designing and delivering programmes of work within a relevant technical or regulatory field.
• A track record of building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and influencing decisions across organisational boundaries.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills, including experience leading complex technical assessments and critically reviewing the work of others.
• The ability to develop evidence-based recommendations to inform policy, investment and decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Experience providing leadership, setting direction and supporting the development of colleagues.

• Salary of up to -70,000, depending on relevant experience.
• Fixed-term appointment to December 2027, with potential for extension or conversion to permanent.
• Hybrid working from either Birmingham or London.
• Full-time, part-time, flexible working and job-share options considered.
• Civil Service pension, with employer contributions currently at 28.97%.
• 25 days'' annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus bank holidays and additional privilege leave.
• Relevant professional membership fees covered.
• Ongoing development and training opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements and a range of additional employee benefits.

The role is based in Birmingham or London, with occasional travel between offices as required.

The closing date for applications is 8 November 2026, with interviews expected to take place during the week commencing 23 November 2026.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.