Stakeholder Manager

Stakeholder Manager

Role Description

The Stakeholder Manager leads NI Water's strategic engagement on planning and development, building strong relationships with elected representatives, DfI, all 11 Councils, and key external stakeholders. The role manages a specialist team of infrastructure planners to influence long-term planning, support Local Development Plans, and ensure NI Water's infrastructure needs are fully reflected in regional growth proposals.

The role involves coordinating and drafting external communications to support the Head of Investment Management in managing the development constraints issue and assessing future growth needs. In addition, the postholder is the primary contact for major third-party infrastructure projects and safeguards NI Water assets and identifies value for money enhancement opportunities. This includes overseeing major infrastructure realignments linked to DfI Roads/Rivers, Translink and Public Realm schemes.

Additional duties include, managing council engagement presentations, acting as Secretary to the Strategic Planning Evaluation Group, and supporting the development of NI Water's digital planning and decision-support systems.

Please refer to the Candidate Brief below for further details of role responsibilities.

Applicants MUST be able to demonstrate in their application and where necessary at interview:

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

1. 1. A relevant 3rd Level Qualification (Degree/HND/HNC) in Engineering or Environmental Sector with 3 years managerial experience to include significant experience of influencing senior internal staff & external stakeholders.
2. Have 2 years' relevant experience of evaluating development proposals and applications received from government departments, councils or commercial and residential developers for their impact on water and wastewater infrastructure or 2 years' relevant experience of Local Development Planning /Local Policies Planning.
3. Experience of defining policy and strategy for planning, economic and environmental legislation for Water or Wastewater Assets.
4. Demonstrate strong, effective verbal and written communication skills utilising a variety of media including, analytics, reports and presentations.
5. Hold a full, current driving license or have access to a form of transport to enable you to fulfil your responsibilities.

What is on Offer

Salary

This role offers a competitive remuneration package with a salary scale of £44,264 to £59,018 per annum (further pay award pending)

Location:

Westland House, 40 Old Westland Road, Belfast, BT14 6TE.

What we Offer

• Generous annual leave and public/privilege holidays
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Hybrid Working (applicable to some of our roles after three months following onboarding and training)
• Occupational sick pay
• Employee assistance programmes
• Cycle to work scheme
• One of the largest corporate volunteering schemes in NI
• Award winning health and wellbeing programme which focuses on supporting four key area of employee health; Physical, Mental, Social and Financial

How to Apply

To submit your application, please click APPLY NOW.

For additional information about the role please download a Candidate Brief available below.

Closing date for submission of Applications: Monday16th March 2026 at 10.00am

Interview dates (week commencing): W/C 13th April 2026