Business Readiness & Change Lead

Description

As the Smart Programme Business Readiness & Change Lead you will work across operational teams and third‑party partners to ensure the organisation is prepared to adopt new processes, data‑driven capabilities and ways of working. You will map change impacts, plan readiness activities, and embed governance to guarantee a smooth transition.

• Lead business change across operational teams and external partners.
• Design and deliver continuous improvements with the Smart Operations Centre and AMS Business Change Team.
• Prepare new processes and capabilities that use smart‑metering data to improve customer service, reduce per‑capita consumption, and support leakage reduction.
• Produce detailed change impact assessments and map affected business areas.
• Engage and secure stakeholder sponsorship for required changes.
• Scope, plan and schedule readiness activities throughout programme phases.
• Manage Go/No‑Go reporting and track readiness metrics.
• Develop and deliver training, communications and other change interventions.
• Embed readiness criteria and adoption activities into governance structures.
• Identify and resolve risks and issues affecting readiness and adoption.
• Support customers, stakeholders and third parties in adopting new platforms and processes.
• Apply best practices from other water utilities and industry partners.
• Study support for job‑related qualifications.

Requirements

The ideal candidate has at least five years of experience delivering complex business change, strong project and change‑management skills, and a track record of stakeholder engagement. High attention to detail, excellent communication, and the ability to juggle multiple priorities under pressure are essential.

• 5+ years delivering complex business change initiatives.
• Proven project and change‑management expertise with successful outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship‑building capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Project and change‑management qualifications and familiarity with relevant methodologies.
• Understanding of operating models within utilities or water.
• Knowledge of smart‑metering systems (desirable).
• Understanding of customer billing operations (desirable).

Benefits

Southern Water offers a hybrid work pattern, generous pension contributions, 25 days of annual leave and a suite of health and wellbeing benefits. The company values innovation, collaboration and a commitment to the environment, and provides incident‑support responsibilities as part of its 24/7 service model.

• Up to 11% employer pension contribution.
• 25 days annual leave.
• Life assurance equal to 4× salary.
• Salary‑sacrifice electric car scheme (after six months).
• Health Cash Plan and fully funded eye tests.
• Two paid volunteering days per year.
• Occupational health service and digital GP service.
• Discounts with over 800 retailers.
• Competitive maternity leave and flexible return‑to‑work options.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance