Storm Overflows Engagement Officer

Closing Date

Job Title: Storm Overflow Engagement Officer

Location: This is a hybrid role operating within the Kent/East Sussex area of our region (for these reasons, we can only accept applications from people who hold a full, clean driving license and use of a vehicle).

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37, Monday to Friday

Salary: circa £38,000 depending on skills and experience

Storm overflows are very provocative and not acceptable to our customers and stakeholders. We want to lead the charge in resolving the current situation. That’s where our Clean Rivers & Seas Task Force comes in, implementing pioneering and industry-leading solutions to reduce spills and reliance on overflows whilst also enhancing the environment for our communities.  Over the past two years, we’ve delivered a £45million Pathfinder programme, trialling innovative solutions to reduce storm overflow releases. Taking all of our learnings and findings during our Pathfinder programme, we’re now delivering our storm overflow reduction plan, which will see £1.5billion spent over next 10 years on sustainable solutions to help reduce storm overflow releases into our precious rivers and seas.

About the role

This role supports the team to build awareness of the Clean Rivers and Sea Task Force’s key activities, as well as assist educating the public surrounding the debate and challenges associated with storm overflows.

Partnership and community engagement is critical to the Task Force’s mission to reduce storm overflows, and this role will facilitate engagement activities and opportunities to allow the team to communicate, listen and partner with customers and stakeholders.

What you will be responsible for:

This is an exciting opportunity where no two weeks will be the same. You will take customers on site tours, update colleagues when they join Southern Water, facilitate community drop-in events and help plan our strategic engagement programme across our region.

• Set up and attend meetings, site tours, events with customers and stakeholders, and support the running of customer-drop ins and similar activities carried out by the Task Force.
• Respond to community requests for engagement, talks, further information about Southern Water’s activities to reduce storm overflows.
• Help develop our exciting engagement programme, so we can educate and inform the communities we serve
• provide administrative support to track engagement activities and upcoming meetings, tours, events. Ensuring that engagement keeps improving and keeps aligned with key messaging.

What you’ll bring to the role:

• Confident speaking in front of a large, varied audience
• Passionate about making a difference in your local community
• Experience of producing content for different needs/audiences
• Experience of managing competing agendas, schedules and priorities
• Excellent organisational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Empathy and caring nature towards customers, stakeholders and colleagues

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.

"At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need."

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.

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