Water Resources Partnerships Manager
Thames Rivers Trust
About the role
Catchment partnerships hold a wealth of local knowledge about their rivers and their catchments, yet this is not always reflected in the regional decisions that shape investment in water resources. This exciting new role has been created to change this, working across the Thames River Basin District.
You will be the primary point of contact between Water Resources South East (WRSE) and catchment hosts, helping Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) partnerships engage with regional planning. This will include supporting the creation of regional plans including Environmental Destination scenarios, Regional Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) and the wider WRSE Regional Plan. You will support catchment hosts and their partnerships in their understanding of water resources data and modelled outputs and ensure their local knowledge and ideas inform regional water resource planning. This will provide the catchment partnerships with a real influence over the water company water resource options delivered on the ground.
The role is fixed term for two years (with the potential for extension, subject to funding), funded by WRSE and hosted and supported by Thames Rivers Trust (TRT). The role is also supported by the WRSE team and their technical consultants, their Environmental Stakeholder Advisory Board and members of Catchment Based Approach Working Groups.
What you'll be doing
- Act as the main liaison between WRSE and catchment hosts, working mainly through hosts to reach CaBA partnerships.
- Support partnerships to engage with Environmental Destination, Regional WINEP, catchment solutions and wider regional water resources planning processes.
- Coordinate and make sense of existing catchment evidence to support the identification of catchment options, including nature-based solutions.
- Help join up this work with other planning processes catchment partnerships are engaged in, including Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans, River Basin Management Plans and Local Nature Recovery Strategies.
- Translate technical water resources and modelling outputs into clear, accessible briefings and materials.
- Identify and help resolve barriers to progressing catchment options, working with WRSE and partners.
About you
You will be a natural communicator able to convey complex concepts in an engaging and easy to understand manner.
You will have:
- A good understanding of catchment-based approaches and water resource issues.
- Experience facilitating engagement with multi-partner programmes and a variety of environmental stakeholders.
- The ability to interpret technical information and translate it into practical, accessible messages for different audiences.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently across multiple workstreams.
Why work with us?
You'll be joining a supportive, values-led organisation where your work really matters. We offer home working, opportunities to build experience, and the chance to be part of a team making a positive impact for the environment.
Site locations
The project area covers the Water Resources South East (WRSE) region, spanning the South East and Thames River Basin Districts. This role covers the Thames River Basin District.
The role will be home based, with travel across catchments and to partner offices in London.
The role will involve regular travel and meeting attendance throughout the Thames River Basin District. To support travel costs, TRT reimburses public transport costs and pays mileage at the current HMRC rate for travel within this area; we do not pay mileage, time, or any other costs for travel outside this area, and toll charges cannot be claimed.
The details
Contract: Fixed term for two years, with the potential for extension subject to funding
Salary: £41,000 to £46,000 per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week (full time)
Holiday: 25 days per year plus bank holidays
Pension: 3% employer contribution on qualifying earnings
Reports to: Chief Executive, Thames Rivers Trust
Right to work: Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. We are not a licensed visa sponsor and are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Closing date for applications: Thursday 29 October 2026 at 11.30pm
Interviews: online via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 3 November 2026
We reserve the right to close this job advert early.
About Thames Rivers Trust
The Thames Rivers Trust is a registered environmental charity dedicated to improving the River Thames and its tributaries for the benefit of people, biodiversity and the environment. We act as the Hub and focal point for the Thames catchment; and work with a wide range of partners including government agencies, private companies and NGOs with the aim of delivering an integrated approach to the management of the Thames River Basin.
The Thames Rivers Trust is a registered environmental charity dedicated to improving the River Thames and its tributaries for the benefit of people, biodiversity and the environment. We act as the Hub and focal point for the Thames catchment; and work with a wide range of partners including government agencies, private companies and NGOs with the aim of delivering an integrated approach to the management of the Thames River Basin.
more