Senior Associate – Water Resources Specialist

Senior Associate – Water Resources Specialist

Location: Birmingham or London (Hybrid – typically one day per week in the office)
Salary: Up to £50,000 + excellent Civil Service pension and comprehensive benefits
Contract: Fixed-term to December 2027 (with potential to extend or turn permanent)

Advance TRS is delighted to be supporting a leading public sector organisation responsible for shaping the future of the UK water industry. Our client is seeking a Senior Associate – Water Resources Specialist to join a growing team delivering nationally significant programmes that improve long-term water resilience, environmental outcomes and investment planning.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced water resources professional looking to influence strategic policy, major infrastructure investment and regulatory decision-making at a national level.

The Opportunity

The UK water sector is undergoing significant transformation, with major investment planned over the coming years to improve resilience, protect the environment and secure future water supplies.

Working within a specialist water resources team, the successful candidate will help shape future planning frameworks, support investment decisions and collaborate with government bodies, environmental regulators and water companies on nationally important programmes.

The role offers exposure to strategic water resource planning, environmental policy and infrastructure development, providing an opportunity to influence projects that will have a lasting impact across England and Wales.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include:

• Leading water resources planning projects covering water supply, demand management, efficiency and investment assessment.
• Supporting the development of future planning frameworks and long-term water resource strategies.
• Working collaboratively with government departments, regulators, water companies and environmental stakeholders.
• Assessing delivery of major water resource programmes and monitoring progress against regulatory commitments.
• Providing technical expertise on water resources policy, investment and environmental planning.
• Producing evidence-based recommendations using technical analysis and complex datasets.
• Contributing to wider strategic initiatives across the organisation.
• Supporting the development and mentoring of junior colleagues where appropriate.

About You

Applications are welcomed from professionals with experience across water resources, environmental planning or related technical disciplines.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Experience in water resources planning, water supply strategy, environmental planning or water efficiency programmes.
• A degree in Environmental Science, Water Resources, Geography, Environmental Management, Engineering, Public Policy or another relevant discipline.
• Strong understanding of environmental issues affecting the UK water sector.
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills, with experience interpreting technical information and data to support complex decision-making.
• Experience building effective relationships with multiple stakeholders, including regulators, government bodies or infrastructure organisations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

What’s on Offer

Alongside the opportunity to work on nationally significant environmental and infrastructure programmes, our client offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Salary up to £50,000 depending on experience.
• Hybrid working with offices in Birmingham or London.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing with service, plus bank holidays and additional privilege leave.
• Civil Service pension scheme with an employer contribution of up to 28.97%.
• Professional membership fees paid.
• Ongoing learning and career development opportunities.
• Enhanced family leave policies.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Season ticket loan.
• Volunteering days.
• Employee recognition scheme.
• Retail, leisure and lifestyle discounts.
• Free eye tests and contribution towards VDU eyewear.

Why Apply?

This position offers the opportunity to influence some of the UK’s most important water resource and environmental investment programmes during a period of unprecedented change across the sector.

The successful candidate will work alongside experienced specialists, policy professionals and technical experts, helping shape future investment strategies while contributing to the delivery of resilient, sustainable water resources for future generations.

If you’re interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please contact Alex Shaw at Advance TRS for a confidential discussion.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.