Water System Planning Lead

Who are we?

Thames Water is the UK’s largest water and wastewater company. We make a daily difference to our 15 million customers by supplying 2.6 billion litres of water through 32,000 km of pipes, keeping taps flowing and toilets flushing.

At Thames Water, every one of our actions, big and small, matters every day. Water is essential to life, so our business is always open.

What you’ll be doing

As System Planning Lead for London's drinking water systems you will be responsible for leading a team of area planners and the development and maintenance of optimised area-based plans which address the future issues that each of our key systems will face.

The role will ensure that the system-based plans are focused on the issues and key themes that each area faces and that they consider how we can improve the environment and community wellbeing in the areas that we operate. They will also need to be aligned to our strategic themes and plans.

Working with the other area functions is essential to ensure that a consistent approach is taken to the planning activities and that synergies and efficiency opportunities are clearly articulated.

The role will need to drive cultural change across the planning community, moving the planning function away from dealing with day to day in-AMP issues to one that is focussed on the production of medium to long term strategic area plans.

These plans will need to be developed in conjunction with colleagues across Engineering & Asset, Operations, Developer Services and Capital delivery.

The role will also ensure that medium to long-term needs are promoted through the Stage Gate process in a timely manner and to the right quality.

Key accountabilities

• Leading a team of area system planners.
• Ensure the development and maintenance of multi-AMP optimised area based plans.
• Prioritise team activities on developing a area view of the strategic themes and plans.
• Work with the other area managers to understand the performance required by each area to meet company level targets.
• Ensure that the team promote medium to long-term needs through the Stage Gate process in a timely manner.
• Ensure that there is a consistent approach across areas to issues such as growth, climate change, improving the environment and customer wellbeing.
• Work with other functions to understand the health of the assets in the area and ensure that the area plans prioritise the recovery of the key asset cohorts first.
• Develop cross company relationships to ensure alignment across Executive functions, focussing on performance improvement and risk reduction.
• Work with the other area functions to identify synergies and efficiency opportunities.
• Drive the cultural change needed across the planning community, moving the planning function away from dealing with day to day in-AMP issues to one that is focussed on the production of medium to long term strategic area plans.
• Work with external stakeholders and partners on the co-creation of investment options that meet multi-agency needs.
• Work with colleagues across Engineering & Asset, Operations, Developer Services and Capital delivery to create plans that are adaptive, deliverable and reflect the use of the latest technologies.
• Share key insights and learning with the wider Engineering and Asset team.

What you should bring to the role

• Ideally degree qualified or significant experience in similar roles
• Professional membership of an engineering, environmental or asset management organisation is an advantage
• A sound understanding of asset management or engineering best practice
• Can identify problems or opportunities for improvement and takes ownership of them, driving them through to resolution
• A good understanding of regulatory processes, such as price reviews or annual returns
• A good understanding of water and wastewater catchments and the impact that external factors can have on them
• Able to pull together complex information and create focussed plans that meets business objectives
• Be able to influence at all levels across the business, often at a senior level and to account for others’ views in our plans

What’s in it for you?

Our competitive salary and package include a bonus, car allowance, private healthcare, an excellent contributory pension, and 26 days of holiday per year increasing to 30 with a length of service.

Thames Water is a dynamic, rewarding, and diverse place to work, with opportunities around every corner. If you join our team, you’ll enjoy a fulfilling career, flexible working arrangements a wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your well-being.

We’re also proud to embrace and promote diversity and believe that creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve will help us to thrive. We encourage applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process.

Find out more about working at Thames Water.

We deliver life's essential service to our customers, communities, and the environment can thrive. This means, that 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, meet colleagues, and earn some extra money along the way.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is so we can manage all the applications properly and give candidates a positive experience. Once closed, we can’t consider any further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.