Cost Analyst

Closing Date

Job Title: Cost Analyst

Location: Hybrid working between site and home. We can be flexible on base location between either our office in Worthing or Falmer.

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday

Salary: Up to £35,000 depending on skills and experience

About the role

We’re looking for a Cost Analyst to join our Waste Commercial Finance team. This is a great opportunity for someone early in their finance career who enjoys working with data and wants to develop their commercial and business partnering skills.

You’ll work closely with Finance Business Partners within our Waste directorate, interrogating large and complex data sets to identify trends, challenge costs, and highlight opportunities for efficiencies and process improvements. Your insight will directly support decision-making and help drive better financial performance across the business.

Alongside analysis, you’ll gain exposure to operational stakeholders, contributing to conversations around spend, performance, and cost control.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Analysing large data sets to identify trends, risks, and opportunities
• Supporting the Waste Finance Business Partner team with cost analysis and reporting
• Highlighting opportunities for cost savings, efficiencies, and improved performance
• Producing clear, concise reporting to support decision-making
• Supporting processes such as spend tracking, incident cost analysis, and purchase order approvals
• Working with systems and data sources, helping to improve data quality and underlying processes
• Contributing to continuous improvement of finance processes and reporting

What you’ll bring to the role:

Essential

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and manipulate data
• Advanced Excel skills (e.g. pivot tables, advanced formulas)
• Ability to present data clearly and provide meaningful insights
• Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach
• Good communication skills and confidence working with stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience working in a finance or analytical role
• Exposure to business partnering or working with operational stakeholders
• Basic knowledge of Power BI or similar reporting tools
• Experience working with large or complex data sets

About Southern Water

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.

Our mission is to protect and enhance life through water and we need passionate people to help us achieve it. If you’re inspired by our purpose and believe you can contribute, apply today. You don’t need to meet every criterion; what matters most is your drive to make a difference.

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.

Additional information

In line with Southern Water’s security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years.

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all pre‑employment checks, including security vetting.

Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.