Head of Environmental Quality & Compliance

This is a pivotal role responsible for shaping and leading Southern Water’s environmental compliance strategy, ensuring we meet regulatory obligations, reduce environmental risk, and enhance our reputation with stakeholders.

You will also embed cross-functional ownership of environmental processes across the business.

Reporting to our Director of Strategy & Regulation and working closely with directorate leads, you will be the senior point of accountability for environmental regulatory compliance, driving performance improvement and influencing national policy through industry engagement.

• Lead the strategic direction and performance of the Environmental Quality & Compliance function, overseeing Permitting, Management & Reporting, Compliance, and Carbon & Climate Change teams.
• Represent Southern Water at industry forums (e.g. Water UK, UKWIR) to shape national regulatory direction.
• Develop and embed cross-functional processes for permitting, performance management, regulatory investigations, and reporting.
• Act as senior accountable owner for environmental regulatory compliance, managing relationships with regulators such as the Environment Agency, Natural England, and Ofwat.
• Lead responses to major pollution incidents and regulatory appeals.
• Influence senior stakeholders across Operations, Legal, Asset Management, and Capital Delivery to embed compliance in decision-making.
• Identify and mitigate environmental risks and capability gaps, securing resources and influencing investment.
• Ensure timely and accurate environmental reporting, including statutory returns and net zero progress.

• A track record of delivering improved compliance and reduced risk.
• Degree in Environmental Science or related discipline (postgraduate qualifications and professional memberships desirable).
• High resilience and decisiveness under pressure.
• In-depth knowledge of UK environmental regulation, including Environmental Permitting Regulations, MCERTS, WINEP, and Net Zero frameworks.
• Experience in change leadership and implementing new operating models.
• Strong stakeholder and political management skills.
• Proven leadership experience in a complex regulatory environment.

Occupational health service

Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary

Company and performance-related bonus

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.

Study support may be available for job-related qualifications

We offer competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options

Salary: Salary commensurate to experience + £500 monthly car allowance, single PMI and up to 20% bonus.

Join Southern Water and see how far your career could progress with a company committed to career progression, training and development opportunities, our customers and the environment.

Location: Hybrid working between our office in Durrington and working from home.

Two paid community volunteering days a year

Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution

Perkbox benefits offering discounts and savings on several products and experiences

25 days annual holiday

This role will be full time Monday to Friday with a hybrid approach to working between our head office in Worthing and home.

Health benefits through a Cash Plan