Sustainable Abstraction and Drought Plan Manager

This is a technical leadership role within our Water Resources team. This role is responsible for managing the company’s regulatory obligations in respect of abstraction licences, low flows and environmental ambition related to impacts from licensed abstraction, as well as overseeing delivery of the company's Drought Plan.

The role provides a unique opportunity to work on the delivery of Thames Water's environmental programme for water resources. 

You will be managing consultants and internal staff, working closely with other internal departments and with external parties, such as Environmental Agency, Natural England, environmental stakeholder groups and other water companies.  

What you’ll be doing as a Sustainable Abstraction and Drought Plan Manager

• Manage the delivery of the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) low flow investigations and Water Framework no deterioration investigations, and options appraisals. 
• Develop the future water WINEP programme, including translation into the Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) and the Price Review.
• Provide technical leadership to the business for environmental policy, including abstraction licence capping, no deterioration assessments, Water Framework Directive, Regulation 19 exemptions and assessments.
• Manage the company's statutory reporting requirements for abstraction licence compliance and work with stakeholders across the business to drive forward improvements
• Management of the Abstractions and WINEP technical team to deliver the requirements.
• Represent Thames Water at regional and national working groups, including the Environmental Destination Advisory Group, UK Technical Advisory Group and Water Resource South East.
• Oversee the production of the company's Drought Plan
• Management of budget and external providers to ensure delivery of regulatory outcomes

Base Location: Hybrid – 2 days per week, Hybrid – Clearwater Court, Vastern Rd, Reading RG1 8DB

Working Pattern or Hours: 36 hours, Mon-Fri
 
What you should bring to the role

• Proven experience in environmental management, environmental regulations and compliance in a relevant industry.
• Experience with Water Resource WINEP programmes, including technical understanding of low flow impact assessments, Water Framework Directive and other relevant legislation.
• Experience with environmental/hydrological monitoring and modelling
• Relevant technical degree or equivalent experience, preferably environmental and ideally supported by a membership of a professional body.
• Ability to manage and deliver projects and drive change to meet technical, stakeholder and commercial objectives
• Excellent people skills and experience working collaboratively with regulators and non-governmental organisations.
• Proven experience in planning and financial management with commercial awareness.

What’s in it for you?
As we continue to invest in the future, this is a rare opportunity to utilise your skills and experience to shape the direction of our environmental and abstraction strategy. You will influence and lead the agenda at a local, Regional and National level and deliver tangible improvements to water resource availability.

You will be visible on a National stage and able to take actions, drive performance improvement, fix the problems of today and build resilience for tomorrow.

• Competitive starting salary from £65,000 - £75,000 per annum depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Car Allowance
• Annual Bonus
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Private Medical Health Care
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values.
 
Working at Thames Water
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.