Growth Planning Lead

We are seeking an experienced Town Planner to join Anglian Water as our Growth Planning Lead. In this role, you will lead the team responsible for responding to planning applications, alongside managing a portfolio of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). You will play a pivotal role in shaping how we plan for and deliver sustainable growth across our region. 

This is a tactical role focused on ensuring that future demand, development and infrastructure requirements are effectively planned, coordinated and delivered in line with our business priorities, while protecting existing customers and the environment. 

You’ll be at the forefront of responding to planning applications including NSIPs and Transport and Works Act Orders (TWAO), acting as a consultee and key contact for developers and stakeholders. Your work will help ensure water and water recycling infrastructure can support future growth, while driving strategic insight across the business.

You’ll work across teams to balance growth, capacity and performance, ensuring our services continue to meet the needs of customers, communities and regulators. 

• Lead the tactical planning team ensuring planning applications are responded to effectively  

• Manage a caseload of NSIP and TWAO applications ensuring responses protect Anglian Water assets, our customers and the environment 

• Represent Anglian Water at examinations, inquiries, and relevant industry forums 

• Work with internal stakeholders to align growth priorities with operational and investment plans 

• Provide insight and challenge to ensure growth strategies are deliverable and efficient 

• Support regulatory and business planning processes with robust growth data and analysis 

• Oversee performance relating to growth planning activities and identify areas for improvement 

• Act as a key interface between planning, operations, developers and stakeholders 

• Drive continuous improvement in planning processes, tools and ways of working 

• Degree in a planning-related discipline (essential)  

• Postgraduate planning qualifications and/or Chartered Member/Associate of the Royal Town Planning Institute (essential)  

• Proven experience in town and country planning, particularly development management 

• Strong advocacy, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills 

• Strong people management skills  

• Strong understanding of growth, capacity planning or network management 

• Ability to influence and work across multiple stakeholders 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability 

• Confident communicator (written, verbal and presentations skills) with the ability to challenge constructively 

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment 

Desirable: Experience within utilities or regulated sectors.  

At Anglian Water, we’re driven by purpose — keeping essential services running today while protecting the environment for future generations. In this role, you’ll play a key part in shaping how we plan for growth across our region, working on strategic challenges with real impact. You’ll collaborate with teams across the business, develop your capability in a complex planning environment and be part of a supportive, forward-thinking organisation. 

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with length of service) 

• Flexible working options 

• Personal Private health care 

• Competitive pension scheme – Anglian Water double-matches contributions up to 7% 

• Costs covered for one Professional Membership 

• Life assurance at 8x your salary 

• Personal Accident cover – up to 5x your salary 

• Annual bonus scheme 

• Potential funded car allowance depending on evidenced business mileage 

• Personal medical assessments 

• Virtual GP service 

• Cancer screening 

• Financial wellbeing support and salary finance benefits 

• Lifestyle savings including discounts on retail, travel and utilities 

• Employee Assistance Programme 

• Opportunity to volunteer and do unpaid work in the community  

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We are proud signatories of the Social Mobility Pledge, Race at Work Charter and Armed Forces Covenant, and we’re a Disability Confident employer. 

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