Senior Strategic Planning Manager

About the @one Alliance

The Anglian Water @one Alliance is a totally collaborative organisation made up of nine partner companies (Anglian Water, SWECO, Balfour Beatty, Barhale, Binnies, MMB, MWH Treatment, and Skanska) and an extended supply chain, delivering over half of Anglian Water's capital investment programme.

We are gearing up for our most exciting and challenging Asset Management Period yet, known as AMP8, this will see us deliver a programme of work larger than we've ever delivered before. We'll be embarking on a new kind of project delivery focusing on nature-based solutions like wetlands and urban drainage schemes.

We are driving change, empowering us to set global benchmarks and build a better environment, with the opportunity to offer enhanced growth and development to our workforce. We're looking to build on our existing teams with an environment built for career progression.

With such an exciting portfolio of projects planned for AMP8 to keep the water flowing across the region, our ability to manage our work and outperform against our customer's expectations will come under greater scrutiny.

We need aspiring driven talent to help us achieve our ambitious targets, are you ready to join us as we prepare to deliver the most creative and innovative AMP we have ever seen?

About Sweco

Transforming society together, we're planning and designing sustainable communities and cities of the future.

Solving the great societal challenges of our time is more relevant, demanding and inspiring than ever before. At Sweco, we bring together experts with different perspectives and skills to develop solutions that address the challenges of urbanisation, harness the positive power of digitalisation and make societies more sustainable.

We offer our clients a combination of global expertise and local presence, adapted to their business and reality. Our ambition is to be our clients' most relevant partner, working together to help them solve their challenges, today and into the future.

To ensure we support our objectives of collaboration across the business whilst providing our workforce with the agility to achieve a healthy work/ life balance, we are asking our employees to have office or site presence on an average of three days a week.

At Anglian Water's @one Alliance, we're not just delivering infrastructure projects. We're transforming the way water is managed for future generations.

The East of England is one of the most water-stressed regions in the UK. Population growth, climate change, environmental pressures and increasing customer expectations are driving the need for unprecedented investment and innovation. As we prepare for AMP8 delivery and shape the future of AMP9, we're looking for an exceptional Senior Strategic Planning Manager to help lead this transformation.

This is a unique opportunity to operate at executive level, influencing strategic decision-making across one of the UK's largest and most ambitious infrastructure programmes.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Alliance Director, you will act as the critical link between the Integrated Main Works Alliance and Anglian Water, ensuring strategic priorities, regulatory commitments and delivery performance remain fully aligned.

You'll lead strategic planning, governance, performance assurance and executive reporting activities, providing insight that enables informed decision-making across the Alliance. Working closely with senior leaders, partner organisations and client stakeholders, you'll help drive business performance, manage strategic risks and support the development of Anglian Water's future investment programme, including contributions to the PR29 Business Plan.

This is a highly visible leadership position requiring a blend of strategic thinking, stakeholder influence, operational understanding and commercial awareness.

What You'll Be Doing

Strategic Leadership

• Lead strategic planning and business performance activities across the Alliance.

• Ensure clear alignment between client priorities, regulatory obligations and delivery outcomes.

• Support the Alliance Director and Executive Leadership Team in developing and implementing long-term strategy.

• Provide executive-level insight, challenge and recommendations to inform key business decisions.

• Drive governance frameworks and assurance processes that support excellence in delivery.

Performance & Programme Assurance

• Oversee the monitoring and reporting of Price Control Deliverables (PCDs).

• Analyse business performance, forecast future risks and identify opportunities across a 2-3 year horizon.

• Develop robust programme assurance processes covering time, cost and quality.

• Ensure reporting is accurate, timely and supported by effective governance.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the principal strategic interface between the Alliance and Anglian Water.

• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders and delivery partners.

• Provide clear visibility of performance, emerging risks and future priorities.

• Represent the Alliance in executive forums and key strategic discussions.

Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• Support the transition from AMP8 into AMP9 delivery.

• Help shape organisational transformation initiatives across the Alliance.

• Embed lessons learned, client feedback and best practice into business planning and performance improvement.

• Champion innovation, sustainability and environmental stewardship across programmes.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking an experienced strategic leader who thrives in complex, collaborative environments and can influence at the highest levels.

Essential Experience

• Significant leadership experience within programme delivery, business management, strategic planning or performance management.

• Experience operating within complex infrastructure, utilities, engineering, construction or regulated industries.

• Strong track record of executive reporting, governance and performance assurance.

• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.

• Ability to turn complex data into meaningful strategic insight.

• Strong commercial and financial acumen.

• Outstanding communication, leadership and relationship-building skills.

Desirable Experience

• Water industry experience and knowledge of AMP delivery.

• Understanding of regulatory performance frameworks and Price Control Deliverables (PCDs).

• Experience working within alliance, joint venture or collaborative delivery models.

• Degree qualified and/or professionally accredited in Business Management, Programme Management, Engineering, Leadership or related disciplines.

• MSP, APM, PRINCE2, MBA, Chartered Status or equivalent qualifications.

Why Join @one Alliance with Sweco?

The @one Alliance is a collaborative partnership of industry-leading organisations working together to deliver Anglian Water's capital investment programme. We are pioneering new ways of working, challenging traditional delivery models and making a lasting impact on the environment and communities we serve.

Apply today to make difference to your career and the region we serve.

Employee Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working (Flexworks Policy)
• Competitive pension contribution
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance (including family cover)
• Permanent Health Insurance
• Company car or car allowance
• Enhanced Discretionary Annual Bonus Scheme
• Payment of two relevant professional subscriptions
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year)
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (wellbeing, mental health, financial and work advice)
• Employee discounts via Sweco Benefit Select (Faircare)
• Salary Sacrifice Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Home & Tech salary deduction scheme
• We plant a tree for all new starters!

@OneAlliance vision

A collaborative alliance, driving change. Empowering us to set global benchmarks and building a better environment for our customers. We strive to:

Empower our people; Delight our Customers; Embrace digital transformation; Deliver brilliance.

@OneAlliance Values

To bring environmental and social prosperity to the region we serve through our commitment to Love Every Drop we:

Build trust; Do the right thing; Are always exploring

The Anglian Water @one Alliance. Nine partners, endless opportunities.

Let's transform society together at Sweco.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

It's important to us that that all our colleagues thrive at work - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects the contribution individuals can bring to Sweco. We aim to promote equality, inclusivity and diversity for everyone.

Here at Sweco we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity.

We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. To find out more The Armed Forces Covenant - Our Commitments | Sweco UK.

We are an accredited Real Living Wage Employer which reflects our commitment to fair pay and support for all colleagues.

We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, and will interview applicants covered by the Equality Act 2010 that opt into the guaranteed interview scheme on the application form and meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If I have a disability, can I get help (e.g. "reasonable adjustments") with the application process?

If you're an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, please contact GB_Function-HR-Resourcing@sweco.co.uk for assistance.

In order to address your request the following information is needed:

• Name
• The best method for contacting you (Phone or email)
• The position title
• Requisition/vacancy number

Upon receipt of this information, we'll respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.

Please note: we reserve the right to close vacancies before the advertised closing date.

Sweco UK&I have an internal resourcing team who are responsible for all recruiting activity. We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted agencies who we work with on those "hard to fill" roles.

We have defined processes for recruitment applications and it is company policy not to accept speculative CVs. Any speculative CVs received into the business (whether to a manager or member of the resourcing team) will become the property of Sweco and the agency will not be eligible for an introductory fee.

Our Preferred Supplier List was reviewed in November 2025 and we are not looking to add any additional agencies. We'll be reviewing the PSL again at the end of 2026 and non-compliance with the above statements could be detrimental to you having the opportunity to be included.

Our Talent Community for experienced professionals is a great way to keep up to date with our latest news, insights, future vacancies, as well as gaining access to exclusive events hosted by our experts.

To learn more Join Our Talent Community - Sweco United Kingdom