Southern Water
Private UK utility supplying drinking water and treating wastewater across southern England.
5 hours ago
$50,000 - $50,000
Expert & Leadership (13+ years), Experienced (8-12 years)
Full Time
Lewes, England, United Kingdom | Worthington, Minnesota, United States
Hybrid
Company Size
2,092 Employees
Service Specialisms
Sector Specialisms
Description
outline design
optioneering
quality assurance
feasibility study
design budgets
cross‑project
The successful candidate will provide technical input across the need‑identification, design, construction and commissioning phases, making authoritative decisions that shape engineering outcomes. In most cases the lead will have final say on the design to be built, ensuring solutions are fit‑for‑purpose and robust.
Key duties include leading outline design and optioneering, guaranteeing quality assurance of supply‑chain designs, and driving cross‑project coordination to improve efficiency. The role also manages feasibility studies, controls scope and change, oversees design costs, and collaborates with external departments and design teams while challenging existing standards for continuous improvement.
- Lead in‑house outline design and optioneering for infrastructure and non‑infrastructure projects.
- Ensure technical fitness and robustness of designs delivered on schedule.
- Provide quality assurance for supply‑chain designs.
- Coordinate across projects to improve efficiency and rigor.
- Manage feasibility studies, scope, change control, and design budgets.
- Produce high‑quality design deliverables within required timescales.
- Collaborate with external departments and design teams.
- Challenge existing standards to drive continuous improvement.
- Deliver complex water‑industry infrastructure programmes.
- Communicate and present technical ideas clearly to experts and non‑technical audiences.
- Work collaboratively across the business and understand team objectives.
- Analyse problems, prioritize options and apply common‑sense solutions.
- Participation in 24/7 incident support with appropriate rotas.
Requirements
financial awareness
cost management
water infrastructure
communication
collaboration
problem solving
Applicants should have proven experience delivering complex water‑industry infrastructure programmes and strong financial awareness. Excellent communication and presentation skills are required, together with the ability to convey technical concepts to both experts and lay audiences. The role demands a collaborative mindset, solid understanding of team objectives, and the capability to analyse issues, prioritise options and resolve novel problems.
- Demonstrate strong financial awareness and cost‑management skills.
Benefits
Southern Water is investing £7.8 bn between 2025‑2030 to enhance resilience, sustainability and service excellence, offering senior professionals a platform to influence strategic decisions and drive long‑term value. The company champions diversity and inclusive hiring, provides opportunities for personal growth and professional development, and fosters a culture of innovation and responsible stewardship.
All staff are part of a 24/7 incident‑support framework, and interview discussions will cover any required on‑call rotas. While flexible‑working requests cannot be guaranteed for every situation, the organisation will seek practical solutions. Candidates who feel they have the right attitude and potential are encouraged to apply, even if they do not meet every listed criterion.
- Offer a hybrid work model with flexible regional location.
- Competitive salary around £50,000, dependent on experience.
- Join a £1.5 bn Clean Rivers & Seas initiative with senior leadership exposure.
- Access to personal growth, professional development and innovation opportunities.
- Inclusive, diverse workplace with no discrimination based on protected characteristics.
Training + Development
Interview process
Visa Sponsorship
Security clearance
Overview
2.25 million
Customers Served
Serving 2.25 million customers since privatisation in 1989.
0.5 GL
Drinking Water Pumped
Pumps over 0.5 GL of drinking water daily.
£72m loss
Operating Loss
Experienced a £72 million operating loss in March 2024 due to rising costs.
- Constructs reservoirs, pipelines, sewage treatment upgrades, and implements contingency measures like importing water during droughts.
- Specializes in large-scale water infrastructure, operational delivery, and environmental engineering across the South East.
- Notably fined for misreporting sewage spills; offers guided tours of Victorian sewers and public access to historic reservoirs.
Culture + Values
- “Working differently” – using new technology and nature‑based solutions
- “Collaborating with community partners”
- “Showing leadership on key environmental issues”
- “Engaging with customers, stakeholders and partners to maximise opportunities”
Environment + Sustainability
24% by 2025
Renewable Energy Target
Target to generate 24% of own renewable energy by 2025.
75% by 2035
Storm Overflow Compliance
Aiming to achieve 75% compliance by 2035 to reduce storm overflow spills.
£7.8B Capital Plan
Environmental Investments
£7.8 billion capital plan from 2025-2030 focusing on new technology and nature-based solutions.
Three‑Star EPA
Environment Agency Rating
Aiming for a three-star Environment Agency rating by 2025 following a two-star rating in 2022.
- On track to generate own renewable energy and buying accredited renewable energy since 2021.
- Fleet electrification targets: cars/vans by 2035, HGVs via low-carbon fuels by 2040.
- Investing £1.5 billion in Clean Rivers & Seas to reduce storm overflow spills and achieve full compliance by 2050.
Inclusion & Diversity
- No publicly available strategic DEI goals or gender‑related statistics found