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Job Title: Strategic Programme Director x 7

Location: Falmer (Hybrid Working)

Salary: Salary and package are to be discussed at the screening stage.

Job Overview

We are seeking experienced and dynamic Strategic Programme Directors to lead and deliver regulatory and business outcomes for Southern Water’s Strategic Programmes. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for ensuring the successful execution of major programmes that align with our PR24 Business Plan and long-term strategic goals. With programme values ranging from £330m to £1,500m, you will be instrumental in shaping the future of Southern Water and its positive impact on our customers.

You will be the business case owner and lead the development and ongoing management of the Strategic Programme Execution Plan, ensuring effective decision-making across functional boundaries, and driving stakeholder engagement at all levels. This is an exciting opportunity to work with cross-functional teams to meet our regulatory commitments while balancing cost, risk, and performance.

*Please note internally you will be known as Strategic Programme Lead

Responsibilities will include:

Leadership & Programme Delivery: Lead one of our Strategic Programmes, ensuring the delivery of outcomes and benefits in line with Southern Water’s PR24 Business Plan and strategic priorities.

Business Case Ownership: Develop and maintain the business case for each programme, ensuring compliance with gated processes and timely approvals.

Budget & Cost Management: Manage programme TOTEX budgets and ensure optimal cost efficiency across the programme lifecycle.

Programme Monitoring & Adjustment: Oversee the progress of the programme, making necessary adjustments to stay aligned with regulatory commitments and the Execution Plan.

Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with the Strategic Programme Leadership Team and other internal functions to mitigate risks, identify opportunities, and ensure programme success.

Benefits Realisation: Own and monitor benefits realisation, ensuring that any deviations from the execution plan are escalated in a timely manner

About You

* A degree or equivalent qualification in a numerate or technical discipline.

* Membership of a relevant professional body, such as the Institute of Asset Management, Chartered Management Institute, RICS, or Association of Project Management.

* Extensive experience in programme sponsorship/leadership in the water or other infrastructure sectors.

* Proven ability in managing projects through all phases of the lifecycle, including design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.

* Experience in risk management, including managing programme risks and escalating issues as needed

Package

This role will be full-time Monday to Friday 37 hours a week.

Southern Water operate a hybrid approach to working between our Falmer office and home.

We will be discussing salary with you upon receipt of your application, but we offer the following benefits:

• Company and performance-related bonus

• Generous pension up to 11% company contribution

• 25 days annual leave

• Life assurance equal to 4x salary

• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)

• Health Cash Plan

• Full funded eye tests

• Two paid volunteering days a year

• Occupational health service

• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers

• Digital GP service

• Study support may be available for job-related qualifications

• Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options

• Cycle to work scheme

• Private medical insurance (Senior Grades only)

Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?

Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That’s why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve. Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position.

Privacy Statement:

Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application.

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered