Water Smart Development Programme Lead

Water Smart Development Programme Lead 
Circa £55,000 dependent on skills and experience 
Permanent, full time (37 hours)  - We may offer part time/flexible working depending on the role requirements, this can be discussed openly at interview 
Huntingdon / Hybrid working

 
Help us shape how water supports sustainable growth!

At Anglian Water, some of our biggest challenges cannot be solved by looking at water supply, wastewater, growth and the environment separately.

We’re looking for a Water Smart Development Programme Lead to help turn that ambition into delivery.

Working within our Environmental Outcomes / Sustainability team, you’ll play a key role in delivering our Integrated Water Management ambitions and helping embed water-smart growth across Anglian Water and the wider sector. You’ll work at the intersection of growth, strategic asset management, environmental strategy and investment planning, helping us deliver our AMP9 priorities  while influencing investment strategies and business planning for AMP10 and beyond.

Key responsibilities

A major part of the role will be leading the programme management and delivery of Building Water Smart Places (BWSP), alongside supporting Anglian Water’s wider Integrated Water Management Strategy.

• Lead programme management and delivery across BWSP and related water-smart initiatives, establishing effective governance, controls, benefits management, reporting and delivery frameworks

• Turn strategy into action, translating our Integrated Water Management ambitions into clear roadmaps, programmes and delivery plans

• Influence future investment, working with WRMP, DWMP, Strategic Asset Management and other teams to embed Integrated Water Management into future planning and investment decisions

• Develop integrated solutions that bring together water efficiency, water reuse, sustainable drainage, nature-based solutions and wider growth and environmental objectives

• Build partnerships, working internally and with government, regulators, local authorities, developers, industry bodies, academia and training providers

• Develop new opportunities, including funding bids, business cases and partnerships that enable programmes to grow and deliver greater impact

• Capture and share learning from demonstrator projects so that successful approaches can be replicated and scaled

• Coordinate governance boards, steering groups, workshops and Communities of Practice, helping keep a diverse group of partners aligned around shared outcomes.

• Track the external landscape, identifying how changes in government policy, regulation and industry practice affect our Integrated Water Management ambitions.

We invest in our people - as a valued employee, you’ll be entitled to: 

• Personal private health care 

• Generous double match pension – contribute 7% and Anglian Water will contribute 14%, giving a total contribution of 21%

• 24-hour Virtual GP service for you and your household 

• 26 days annual leave – rising with length of service and the ability to buy more 

• Life assurance (up to 8 x salary) 

• Personal accident cover (up to 5 x salary)

• Excellent family friendly policies, such as 26 weeks full pay for maternity / adoption leave, as well as 4 weeks paid paternity / partner leave. Opportunity for shared parental pay 

• Bonus scheme  

• Flexible benefits and working culture to support your wellbeing and lifestyle.

What does it take to be successful?

We’re looking for someone who is comfortable operating in a complex environment, bringing structure to big ideas and building the relationships needed to turn them into action.

• Proven programme or project management experience, including delivery planning, governance, budget management, risk management and performance reporting

• Experience translating strategic objectives into practical plans and driving delivery across complex programmes

• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams, dependencies and competing priorities

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the ability to achieve outcomes where you don't have direct authority

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing briefings and reports for senior audiences and facilitating workshops

• A degree-level or relevant professional qualification, such as APM PMQ, PRINCE2 or MSP, or equivalent experience

• Professional membership of a relevant body, such as APM, CIWEM, ICE, RTPI or IEMA, would also be welcomed.

Experience in water, environment, infrastructure, planning, housing or local government would be useful, as would knowledge of areas such as Integrated Water Management, sustainable growth, water reuse, sustainable drainage, Water Resource Management Plans (WRMPs) or Drainage & Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs).

Inclusion at Anglian Water:

Inclusion is for everyone and we are an equal opportunity employer, which means we’ll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we’re committed to creating an environment where all our colleagues feel they belong.

Closing date: 10th November 2026 
Interview dates: W/C 23rd November 2026

#loveeverydrop

#LI-MS1