Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland.
Most peopledon’tthink too much about how clean water reaches their tap, but Scottish Water does. In fact,it’sall we think about.
As Team Manager for our Planning team,you’reat the forefront of our mission.You’lllead a specialist planning function that supports the successful development and delivery of projects across Scottish Water’s Capital Investment programme.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape how we navigate Scotland’sstatutoryplanning system,provideexpert advice across a diverse portfolio of projects, and help deliver the infrastructure and services that communities across Scotland rely on every day.
About the role
You’lllead and develop a team of town planning professionals, ensuring high-quality planning advice is embedded from the earliest stages of project development through to delivery. Working across projects ranging from smaller local schemes to complex major developments,you’llprovide leadership, assurance and direction on planning strategy, consentingroutesand stakeholder engagement.You’llwork closely with internal teams, delivery partners,regulatorsand planning authorities to help secure robust,timelyand practical outcomes that support Scottish Water’s investment ambitions.
Whatyou’lldo
The role involves leading, managing and supporting a team of planning professionals, fostering a high-performing and collaborative environment. It requires providing expert planning advice across a broad range of projects, including permitted development, renewable energy, small-scale developments and major infrastructure schemes.
The position also includes undertaking horizon-scanning to identify changes in planning legislation and policy, helping to shape strategy, inform risk management and guide consenting approaches. Building and maintaining strong working relationships with internal colleagues, specialist teams, stakeholders, local authorities, regulators and delivery partners is essential.
Additionally, the role supports the timely progression of projects by ensuring that planning risks, dependencies and opportunities are clearly understood and effectively managed, while driving consistency, quality and continuous improvement in planning processes, standards and ways of working across the team.
Whatyou’llbring
To be successful in this role,you’llbring strong leadership capability, technical planningexpertiseand the confidence to work across a varied and complex project portfolio.Youwill have an established network across the planning landscape and a proventrack recordof developing and supporting others.
The essential criteria for this role include holding a degree in Town Planning and membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI). Candidates must have proven experience managing a team of town planners, along with a robust knowledge of Scotland’s planning legislation and its practical application. Experience in securing consent across a range of development types is required, as well as strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build credibility across a diverse range of partners.
Desirable criteria include experience working in a developer setting, knowledge of the water and wastewater sector, and a proven track record of delivering in line with investment and project requirements. Additionally, candidates should be able to demonstrate success in presenting to Planning Committees.
Why Scottish Water?
At Scottish Water,we’recommitted to delivering great service for our customers, protecting ourenvironmentand investing in Scotland’s future. In this role,you’llhave the opportunity to lead a valued specialist team, influence a diverse and meaningful programme of work, and help shape sustainable infrastructure outcomes across the country. Ifyou’reready to bring your planningexpertiseand leadership skills to a role with real impact,we’dlove to hear from you.
Looking out for you
While the work we do is important, we knowit’snot the only thing that matters.That’swhy we make sure you have everything you need to find a good work-life balance.
You’llget plenty of time to recharge with 38 days of holiday every year (including public holidays). And you can even buy five more if you need a little extra time. You can also take paid time off to volunteer in your community. When it comes to major life events we have family-friendly policies around adoption, maternity, and parental leave.
And for the everyday? We embrace flexible working. For your future,there’sour pension (the ‘know-what-you’ll-get-when-you-retire’ kind), as well as life assurance.
As for some nice extras? You can expect an annual company bonus. Not to mention access to SW Splash – handy rewards that can save you money on holidays, bills, and shopping.
The not-so-small print
This role will be a Grade8If you’re new to Scottish Water, you’ll join us on a starting salary of £54,776. Performance-driven pay progression would then allow you to move through the range to a maximum of £74,386.
Ifyou’reinterested in this role – or know someone else who might be -we’llbe accepting applications until midnight on 14thJuly2026
WeoperateBalanced Hybrid working at Scottish Water and we encourage people to work half their time in a Scottish Water location.
Job offers at Scottish Water are conditional, and will be confirmed on completion of our pre-employment screening, e.g. referencing, criminal record checks, license checks, etc. Screening is conducted on our behalf by a thirdparty andmust be completed before your start date.Don’tworry -we’llonly start these checks onceyou’veaccepted an offer.
A few final things worth knowing…
Research shows that some people avoid applying for jobs unless they can meet every single criteria. If you’re interested in this job, but don’t tick all the boxes, apply anyway! We hardly ever hire people who can do every part of a job from Day One. Everyone has a learning curve. So don’t rule yourself out!
Let us know if there are any changes we can make to our recruitment process to help you perform at your best. Lots of our people have disabilities or neurodiverse conditions (including some of our recruiters!). We're also aware that some people might be experiencing temporary challenges because of life events, like menopause. We’re very used to making adjustments, so please don’t be afraid to ask.
As part of our commitment to developing a flourishing Scotland, it’s important that all our employees are Scottish taxpayers. If you join us, your home address will need to be in Scotland. If you don’t already live here, you'll need to commit to moving here within your first three months.
Please note, Scottish Water takes the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees, colleagues and customers very seriously and as such you may be subject to Drug & Alcohol testing in line with our policy.
Finally (finally!), candidates who haven’t submitted an application in the last 12 months will have their records removed from our recruitment database. You won’t need to do anything. Your data will be automatically deleted.
We’re here to help. Ask us anything at SWRecruitment@ScottishWater.co.uk
Water is essential to life and to the communities in which we live and work across every corner of Scotland. At Scottish Water we’re focused on delivering the highest quality drinking water ever in Scotland and returning waste water safely to the environment every day of the year.
Find out more about Scottish Water at www.scottishwater.co.uk
For more information on careers, visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/careers
