Strategic Water Resources Development Manager (SRO / WRMP)

Join Our Team: SRO / WRMP Development Manager opportunityNavigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive. The Trust is a significant owner of water and water-related assets and generates substantial annual revenue from these. In the context of long-term water scarcity and climate change, greater opportunity exists to exploit these assets to contribute to long term national water security and deliver sustainable heating and cooling solutions for buildings. Delivering commercial revenue streams is essential for the Trust to enable investment into the delivery of its charitable objects. The SRO / WRMP Development Manager will lead the development and promotion of the Trust's strategic water resource opportunities, ensuring Canal & River Trust assets are recognised within regional and national water resource planning. Working closely with water companies, regional planning groups, regulators, and infrastructure partners, the postholder will identify, shape and progress Strategic Resource Options (SROs) and Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) opportunities that deliver long-term income, network resilience, environmental benefits and national water security objectives. Working Hours & LocationThis role follows 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. The vacancy will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required. Regular travel across our network will be required. See here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-riversRelevant Hubs: Leeds, Ellesmere Port, Burnley, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Gloucester.A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.Role OverviewThis is a strategic business development role focused on developing long-term water resource opportunities and securing the Canal & River Trust's position within Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs) and Strategic Resource Options (SROs). Working with water companies, regulators and infrastructure partners, you will build relationships, influence planning decisions and progress complex opportunities that deliver environmental, social and commercial value. This is not a high-volume sales role; success will be achieved through trusted partnerships and major projects that may take several years to develop.Key responsibilities:Business Development & Commercial Growth: Review business opportunities, identify potential customers, develop feasible supply options, negotiate commercial agreements worth up to £5m per annum, and contribute towards increasing new business income by £10m per annum over a 10-year period. Strategic Water Planning: Lead the identification, development and promotion of canal-based water resource opportunities within Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs), Regional Water Resource Plans and Strategic Resource Options (SROs). Stakeholder Influence: Build and maintain effective relationships with water companies, regional planning groups, regulators, consultants and government stakeholders to influence long-term water resource planning and investment decisions. Opportunity Development: Develop business cases and strategic, solution-based propositions that demonstrate the value of Canal & River Trust assets in addressing water scarcity, drought resilience and climate adaptation challenges. Commercial Negotiation: Negotiate complex commercial agreements and funding arrangements associated with large-scale water resource, water transfer and resilience schemes. Pipeline Development: Create and maintain a pipeline of long-term opportunities, recognising that strategic infrastructure projects may take several years to progress from concept through to implementation. Cross-Functional Working: Work closely with engineering, operations, environmental, legal, water management and asset management teams to assess feasibility, manage risk and deliver strategic projects. Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strong internal and external networks to support the identification, development and delivery of commercial and strategic water opportunities. Values, Diversity & Inclusion: Demonstrate the Trust's values and behaviours at all times, ensuring diversity and inclusion are embedded within decision-making and actively challenging behaviours, practices or actions that are inconsistent with the Trust's policies and values.About YouSkills & QualificationsTechnical: Degree or equivalent experience in Water Resources, Environmental Science, Engineering, Hydrology, Geography, Chemistry, or a related discipline.Experience developing opportunities within the UK water sector, utilities sector or related infrastructure environment.Experience negotiating complex commercial, funding or infrastructure agreements.Strong understanding of project development and business case processes.Ability to interpret technical, environmental and commercial information to support decision-making.Understanding of UK water resource planning, water transfers, drought resilience and climate adaptation.Understanding of Ofwat, Environment Agency and regional water resource planning frameworks.Experience working with water companies, regional planning groups or major infrastructure programmes.Experience of wholesale rather than retail water markets.Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally.General: Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships over extended project timescales.Experience influencing strategic decisions at senior organisational level.Ability to build trusted relationships over many years.Motivation and tenacity to progress opportunities through lengthy planning and approval processes.Credibility when engaging with senior stakeholders across the water sector.A balance of commercial drive and strategic thinking.Ability to identify opportunities and proactively develop them without adopting a transactional sales approach.Genuine interest in water security, climate resilience and environmental outcomes.Contact & ApplicationIf you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.What We OfferIn addition to your annual base salary of £60,000 - £65,000, we also offer a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits#INDHP