Water Efficiency Project Manager

Closing Date

Job Title: Water Efficiency Project Manager (Non-Household Programme)

Location: Durrington / Hybrid
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: Circa £55,000 per annum depending on skills and experience

About the role

You will lead the delivery of a pilot programme focused on reducing water consumption across large non-household business customers. Working in partnership with external water efficiency specialists and key organisations, you will design and implement targeted interventions to drive more efficient water use. You will engage closely with high-consumption businesses to identify opportunities for process and behavioural change, oversee pilot delivery end-to-end, and ensure effective collaboration between consultants and stakeholders. Using insights and learning from the pilot phase, you will develop a scalable, evidence-based approach to roll out across other regions, driving sustained reductions in business water demand throughout the AMP period.

This is a £3.75m programme delivering pilot projects with large organisations across our region. You will oversee mobilisation, delivery, and evaluation, building an evidence-based approach that can be scaled across the business sector.

Working closely with internal teams, regulators, and external partners, you will play a key role in addressing water scarcity and improving long-term sustainability across Hampshire and beyond.

What you will be responsible for:

• Leading end-to-end delivery of a complex Water Efficiency programme, from mobilisation through to evaluation and scale-up
• Translating research and customer insight into practical, evidence-led delivery plans
• Establishing and maintaining strong project governance, including plans, RAID logs, and reporting
• Managing budgets, forecasts, and financial controls to ensure value for money
• Commissioning and managing external partners, including performance management and service delivery
• Developing stakeholder engagement plans to drive adoption of water-efficient practices
• Defining and tracking benefits, ensuring outcomes are measurable, auditable, and aligned to regulatory requirements

Additional requirements:

• Hybrid working with collaboration across internal teams and external partners
• Occasional travel to stakeholder sites and pilot delivery locations

What you’ll bring to the role:

Essential

• Significant experience delivering complex projects or programmes end to end
• Strong governance, reporting, and project planning experience
• Experience working in regulated environments or supporting regulatory reporting
• Strong analytical and financial management skills, including budgeting and forecasting
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

Desirable

• Experience in water efficiency, sustainability, or environmental programmes
• Project or programme management qualifications (e.g. APM, MSP, PRINCE2)
• Background in engineering, environmental science, or behavioural change

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

“Your potential matters more than a perfect checklist. If this role excites you and you believe you can make an impact, we want to hear from you! Skills can be learned—passion, drive, and fresh perspectives are what truly set candidates apart. Don’t hesitate—take the leap and apply!”

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.