Closing Date

Job Title: Programme Manager – Wastewater

Location: Flexible within our region (hybrid with needs-based time in the office/site)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37, Monday to Friday

Salary: £competitive 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 an 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.

We’re excited to announce a brand-new opportunity to join our Environment & Innovation directorate as a Programme Manager. 

About the role

The Environment & Innovation Directorate has a large portfolio of environmental improvements and innovations to deliver including Storm Overflow reduction, Bathing Water improvement, biodiversity enhancement, protecting drinking water supplies, abstraction compensation & mitigation as well as delivery & adoption of innovation.

The purpose of the wastewater programme manager is to work with SMEs and others to lead the scoping, planning and the delivery of directorate wide change initiatives that enable us to meet our environmental objectives.  This role will report directly into the Head of Delivery and work closely with the Director of Environment & Innovation.

This role will be responsible for a programme of novel projects that map across the entire directorate. The role will be responsible for convening & ensuring collaboration, building plans and managing the delivery with partners within the organisation and outside. Projects will include removing the impact of the Nursling Industrial Estate on the River Test and exploring options to generate new revenue streams from nutrient trading.

What you will be responsible for:

• Scope, plan and effectively deliver performance and efficiency change initiatives.
• Work across the directorate and closely with Finance and Transformation Office to ensure practices and target ways of working set by them are followed and initiative information is maintained to a high degree of accuracy and frequency.
• Liaise closely with business leads for their respective programme area across the directorate and wit the workstream lead for the Wastewater & Environment.
• Ensure the quality of actions such that they collectively deliver the target outcomes.
• Monitor the effectiveness of the change programmes and course correct as required.
• Report on progress on developments, issues, and risks in respect to successful delivery.

What you’ll bring to the role:

• You will have a solid background in project and programme delivery as well as change management.  Water sector experience would be advantageous.
• You will possess very good communication and presentation skills, have excellent stakeholder management skills and be highly organised.
• Strong commercial awareness.
• You will be a self-starter, solution orientated, have PMO knowledge and practice and be adept at managing multiple challenges simultaneously.
• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience) and have project/programme management qualifications (PMP, APM etc)

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.

You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation.

"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.

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