Senior Nature Based Solutions Specialist

Senior Nature Based Solutions Specialist Join to apply for the Senior Nature Based Solutions Specialist role at Southern Water Closing Date: 2026-01-02 Job Title: Senior Nature Based Solutions Specialist Location: Flexible (ideally West Sussex or Hampshire) – 1 day a week in Durrington, West Sussex Contract Type: Permanent Hours: 37 hours per week Salary: circa £55,000 depending on skills and experience The Environment & Innovation team is at the forefront of Southern Water’s drive to enhance and protect the environment. Deploying the latest innovative solutions and working in partnership with our customers and stakeholders, the team takes a holistic approach to managing water quality and flow across the region. The portfolio has rapidly expanded from £50million to over £2 billion in the next 10-year period. This is a fast‑paced team that is now expanding to continue to deliver a larger programme of sustainable and innovative solutions. Job Overview Support delivery of our regulatory programme, supporting the Principal Nature Based Solutions Specialist to manage implementation, delivery and reporting of our regulatory investigations, impact assessments, ecological schemes and compliance requirements. Responsible for managing projects through a full lifecycle and delivering outcomes within given timescales. A key element of this role is engagement with key stakeholders including our regulators (EA and NE), other Water Companies, the Water Industry, Catchment Partnerships, internally within SWS to promote our Catchment First Programme and contribute to industry technical working groups. Providing Nature Based Solutions advice to the wider business in relation to ecology, planning and development, environmental policy etc. Contribute to industry forums promoting the Catchment First approach. Assist and mentor the professional development of the Nature Based Solutions Specialists. Support how we can best deliver in each catchment, balancing the opportunities for specialist consultants, catchment partnership working and direct delivery by the in‑house team. About You Demonstrable expertise in ecology, river/wetland restoration, biodiversity enhancement, planning and development. Proven expertise of project management, including planning and permitting requirements. The ability to demonstrate the completion of quality multi-disciplinary tasks on time to a consistent & high standard. Experience managing delivery of technical work via sub-contracted consultancy teams. Experience translating regulatory environmental requirements into deliverable and manageable work streams. Degree in relevant environmental discipline or equivalent experience. Masters degree in relevant discipline such as Hydroecology is desirable. Chartership or working towards is highly desirable. Package & Benefits This role will be full time Monday to Friday with a hybrid approach to working between our projects/sites, office and home. We are offering a salary of circa £55,000 as well as other benefits including: Generous pension up to 11% company contribution 25 days annual leave Life assurance equal to 4x salary Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service) Health Cash Plan Full funded eye tests Two paid volunteering days a year Occupational health service Discounts with over 800 popular retailers Digital GP service Study support may be available for job-related qualifications Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options Cycle to work scheme All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered. #J-18808-Ljbffr