About us
United Utilities' (UU) mission is to deliver high-quality water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society. We are proud to be ranked #11 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.
We've got a lot to offer. You'll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution. These include:
- A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays
- A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
- A 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
- A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
- Flexible and hybrid working
The role
As a Senior Environmental Planner, you will report in to the Principal Environmental Planner and work alongside our environmental, capital delivery and engineering colleagues and partners.
In joining us, you will have full exposure to the organisation, our major contracts and our largest industry partners. Stakeholder engagement is vital for this role. You will therefore need to build strong working relationships, manage key internal and external stakeholders effectively and provide expert advice to our contractors. You will develop consenting strategies working with a wide range of stakeholders from across the region in particular Planning Authorities, Natural England, the Environment Agency and a whole host of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
United Utilities offer dynamic roles that will help you grow professionally and personally and you will have the chance to enhance your skill, knowledge and experience in a supportive and collaborative environment. If you are passionate about making a positive difference for the North West of England and want to join us on our journey of transformation, we would love to hear from you. Apply now and become part of the UU family!
Key accountabilities
- Lead and manage environmental assessment and planning activities within the projects and programmes and deliver on environmental planning and assessment time and quality objectives.
- Develop and implement stakeholder engagement plans with the Environment Agency, Natural England, planning authorities, etc. and provide guidance to support internal teams, ensuring projects adhere to best practices and comply with relevant policies and regulations.
- Carry out desk top assessments and site visits to assess the viability and potential environmental impact of proposed developments. Assessing the feasibility of proposals and identifying potential mitigation.
- Work within design teams, challenging and influencing others to develop appropriate solutions.
- Develop budgets and programmes for planning and environmental assessment deliverables.
- Line manage Environmental Planners, support with their development and ensure best practice.
- Prepare planning strategies, highlight planning and environmental risks and mitigation approaches.
- Manage the preparation and submission of Town & Country Planning applications (including schemes with the potential to be EIA development).
- Work collaboratively with EIA specialists on the preparation of EIA scoping opinion requests and Environmental Statements.
- Provide expert advice, produce accurate reports, and plan/implement effective strategies for gaining regulatory approval for projects.
Skills & experience
To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
- Chartered Membership with a relevant body (e.g RTPI/CIWEM/IEMA) with multiple years environmental planning and assessment experience.
- Environmental planning and assessment project management experience including cost, time, resourcing, contracts and quality.
- Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams with engineers and other environmental disciplines such as arboriculture, landscape and ecology including Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
- Ability to lead and coach others, working together to achieve company goals.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Good knowledge of environmental law, planning policies and procedures.
- Great stakeholder management abilities, to support with gaining regulatory approval for projects.
- You will need to be a multi-tasker with the ability to work flexibly across several projects, meeting deadlines, working autonomously without direct supervision.
Other
We believe in empowering you to achieve your aspirations and dreams, both in your work and in your life. To help you achieve your goals, we offer a variety of voluntary benefits that you can select according to your needs and preferences.
- Onsite gym and physio lounge with instructor-led gym classes and dedicated physiotherapist, onsite childcare and nursery, free parking and EV charging points, dedicated multi-faith/prayer rooms and free bus service for UU colleagues - Warrington only
- MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
- Best Doctors
- Salary Finance
- Wealth at Work courses
- Deals and discounts
- EVolve Car Scheme
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Mental health first aiders
- ShareBuy
- MORE Choices flexible benefits
- Enhanced parental leave schemes
- You may be entitled to relocation expenses of up to £8,000 for this position. This will depend on the outcome of an eligibility check.