Senior Infrastructure Planner

Southern Water group; Brighton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job description

Closing Date

2026-01-02

Job Title

Senior Infrastructure Planner (Internally known as Senior Town and Country Planner)

Location

Falmer – Hybrid Working

Salary

up to £60,000 depending on experience

Hours

37 hours per week

Shape the future of major infrastructure across the South East

We’re looking for an experienced planning professional to play a pivotal role in securing the permissions and consents needed to deliver Southern Water’s £8bn capital investment programme (2025–2030).

As part of the Enabling Team within Capital Delivery and supporting our Planning & Consents Lead, you’ll influence how our most high-profile infrastructure schemes come forward. Your expertise will directly support long‑term resilience, environmental improvement, and regulatory compliance.

This is an ideal next step for a Senior Planner seeking more strategic influence, wider business exposure, and the opportunity to shape planning practice across a large, regulated utility.

What You Will Be Responsible For

• Provide authoritative planning advice to Capital Delivery and the wider business
• Lead development proposals from early feasibility through submission, negotiation, to consents
• Manage pre-application engagement, Section 106 negotiations, conditions, and commencement processes
• Drive collaboration with internal stakeholders including Asset Strategy, Legal, Engineering, Finance, and Health & Safety
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with LPAs, statutory consultees, and landowners
• Prepare clear, high‑quality reports, briefings, and presentations
• Shape continuous improvement through guidance, templates, best practice, and process optimisation

Essential

What you’ll bring to the role:

• 5+ years’ experience in a town and country planning role
• Degree (or equivalent) in planning or a related discipline
• Experience within a local authority planning department or private consultancy
• Strong understanding of UK planning legislation and development management
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment

Desirable

• Experience within infrastructure, utilities, engineering, or environmental sectors
• Chartered MRTPI status or working towards it

About Southern Water

Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025‑30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.

At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box.

"At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need."

If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself (myworkdaysite.com- Introduce Yourself)

Our Commitment to Diversity

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.