Strategic Water Resources Development Manager (SRO / WRMP)

In 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

Join Our Team: SRO / WRMP Development Manager (internal title) opportunity

Navigate 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.

Role Overview

This 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.

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 You

Skills & Qualifications

Working Hours & Location

This 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-rivers

Relevant Hubs: Leeds, Ellesmere Port, Burnley, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Gloucester.

A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.