South West Water
Provides essential water and wastewater services across the South West of England.
Oversee financial reporting, budgeting, controls & insights for Pennon Water Services.
10 days ago
$55,000
Expert & Leadership (13+ years), Experienced (8-12 years)
Full Time
Exeter, England, United Kingdom
Office Full-Time
Company Size
2,000 Employees
Service Specialisms
Building and development
Water supply
Sewerage services
New connections
Developer Services
Self‑Lay Provider support
Pre‑development services
Standpipe hire
Sector Specialisms
Drinking Water Services
Wastewater Services
Role
Description
Reporting to the Financial Controller, the Finance Lead will support core financial processes, ensure reporting integrity, and provide high‑quality insight to drive business performance. The role offers exposure to strategic financial management, regulatory reporting, audit and business partnering.
- Support financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and control processes (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, VAT, fixed assets).
- Manage statutory, regulatory, and group financial reporting, including audit and compliance.
- Ensure robust financial controls and timely period‑end and board reporting.
- Collaborate with business managers to develop and monitor budgets and report variances to senior leadership.
- Maintain internal control standards and policies aligned with the Pennon Group.
- Provide financial oversight for group subsidiaries and support treasury, tax, and group finance interactions.
- Drive process improvements and deliver proactive financial advice across the business.
Requirements
Employees thrive in a supportive environment where continuous learning and development are encouraged, enabling everyone to work at their best. The company is seeking enthusiastic individuals to join its growing team and contribute to ongoing success.
- ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA qualified, preferably with a relevant degree.
- Post‑qualification experience in financial control, ideally in a group or standalone environment.
- Strong leadership and team‑management skills within a busy finance function.
- Experience with integrated financial management systems and advanced MS Office.
- Excellent analytical, reporting and communication abilities.
- Commercial, solutions‑focused mindset with sound judgment.
- Knowledge of water‑retail industry and regulatory frameworks (plus).
- Highly organised, resilient and able to manage multiple priorities.
- High integrity and collaborative teamwork.
Benefits
A Finance Lead position is available with a salary up to £55,000 per annum, based in Exeter, on an initial 12‑month contract within the Pennon Water Services team.
- Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays.
- Discretionary bonus.
- Competitive contributory pension.
- Share‑save scheme.
- Wellbeing support programmes.
- Group discounts.
- Cycle‑to‑Work scheme.
- Financial support services.
- Ongoing development and training opportunities.
Training + Development
Information not given or found
Interview process
Information not given or found
Visa Sponsorship
Information not given or found
Security clearance
Information not given or found
Company
Overview
30 Years
Experience in Water Services
The company has extensive experience providing water services to the region.
2,000 Employees
Dedicated Staff
The company employs a large team to deliver vital water services.
1.6M People
Serving the Community
The company plays a vital role in managing the water supply for over 1.6 million people across multiple regions.
- South West Water is a leading provider of water and wastewater services, covering Cornwall, Devon, and parts of Dorset.
- The company is known for pioneering innovation in water treatment and sustainability efforts across its service regions.
- Specializes in providing clean, safe water and efficient wastewater treatment to both residential and commercial customers.
- Committed to ensuring the highest standards of water quality and environmental stewardship in all its operations.
- One of the standout projects includes the upgrade of wastewater treatment facilities to meet growing demand and environmental standards.
- South West Water's operations span a variety of sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial water services.
Culture + Values
- Trusted
- Collaborative
- Responsible
- Progressive
Environment + Sustainability
100k tonnes CO₂
Operational carbon emissions target
The company aims to achieve net zero by 2030 by reducing operational carbon emissions by up to 100,000 tonnes of CO₂.
100%
Electric vehicle fleet
The company operates a 100% electric car and van fleet, contributing to reduced emissions.
250k trees
Tree planting initiative
The company plans to plant 250,000 trees by 2025 to support reforestation and carbon sequestration.
£2.5B investment
Sustainability investment
The company has committed £2.5 billion from 2025–2030 for storm overflow reduction, nutrient pollution prevention, and biodiversity conservation.
- Biogas capture from wastewater treatment and use for vehicle fuel or grid injection
- Hydro-electric generation at Mary Tavy, solar PV and wind on-site
- Reducing leaks by 15%
- Restoring peatland to store carbon and enhance biodiversity
- Since 2019, nature-based solutions include managing 126,733 ha land, restoring 3,907 ha peatland
Inclusion & Diversity
30%
Gender Diversity Target
Committed to increasing gender diversity in boardrooms and business leadership.
10k Interns
Black Internship Initiative
Supporting the 10,000 Black Interns initiative to expand career opportunities.
- Disability Confident employer
- Women’s Network, LGBTQ+ Network, and other employee networks influencing business direction
- Mental Health Awareness Month, Black History Month, and guest‑speaker events hosted
- Company‑wide statement: “Be Rock Solid – Build trust and be trusted”; “Be You – bring your best… make your mark”; “Be the Future – Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.”