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- Tasks: Lead assurance strategies for Southern Water's multi-million-pound Capital Programme.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a key player in delivering essential water services.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, bonuses, and discounts with over 800 retailers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water delivery while driving continuous improvement in a supportive culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in governance and assurance, ideally in the water industry, is essential.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; engage with us to explore your fit for this role.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 52000 £ per year.
Location: Falmer (Hybrid Working)
Salary: Up to £52,000, depending on skills and experience.
Are you ready to take the lead in shaping the success of Southern Water’s Capital Programme? Southern Water’s Capital Delivery Programme Management Office (PMO) is looking for a Programme Assurance Lead to drive excellence across our project lifecycle.
As a Programme Assurance Lead, you will play a vital role in assuring delivery plans across the entire project lifecycle. You’ll ensure that our multi-million-pound Capital Programme delivers its outputs and outcomes on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality, meeting both internal goals and external regulatory commitments.
This is a fantastic opportunity to help drive continuous improvement and confidence in delivery by leading the assurance strategy and plans for our Water and Wastewater Programmes.
Responsibilities will include:
- Lead the development and implementation of the PMO assurance strategy
- Provide monthly assurance to key stakeholders before Governance Forums
- Review key project documentation, provide expert feedback, and escalate where necessary
- Track, analyse, and report assurance information to inform performance KPIs
- Offer leadership, training, and support across internal and external stakeholders
- Use risk-based methodologies to target high-impact areas
- Maintain assurance records and continuous improvement actions
- Deputise for the Governance & Assurance Manager when needed
About You:
- Significant experience in governance and assurance (ideally in the water industry or similar)
- A strong understanding of project and programme management frameworks
- Proven experience delivering assurance across the full project lifecycle
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with supply chain partners
- Familiarity with project documentation, stage gate processes, and governance forums
- APM, MSP, or P30 professional qualifications are highly desirable
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication, and organisational skills
- A proactive mindset, with high attention to detail and a drive for continuous improvement
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 are offering a salary of up to £52,000 per annum depending on skills and experience as well as other benefits including:
- 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
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.
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.
Programmes Assurance Lead employer: Southern Water
Contact Detail:
Southern Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programmes Assurance Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Southern Water's Capital Programme and its objectives. Understanding their specific goals and challenges will help you tailor your discussions during interviews, showcasing how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the water industry or those who have worked with Southern Water. Engaging with current or former employees can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Programme Assurance Lead role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with governance and assurance frameworks in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led assurance strategies and improved project outcomes in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your proactive mindset by thinking of potential improvements or innovations that could benefit Southern Water's Capital Programme. Presenting these ideas during your interview can set you apart as a forward-thinking candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Programmes Assurance Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in governance and assurance, particularly within the water industry or similar sectors. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver assurance across the project lifecycle.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Mention your understanding of project management frameworks and your proactive mindset towards continuous improvement.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have APM, MSP, or P30 qualifications, be sure to mention these prominently in your application. These credentials are highly desirable for the Programme Assurance Lead position and can set you apart from other candidates.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Think about how you would respond to questions regarding your experience with stakeholder engagement and communication. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've successfully led assurance strategies or improved project outcomes.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Programme Assurance Lead. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of the role, such as leading the PMO assurance strategy and providing monthly assurance to stakeholders. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your significant experience in governance and assurance. Highlight instances where you've successfully delivered assurance across the project lifecycle, especially in similar industries, to show you can hit the ground running.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since exceptional stakeholder engagement is crucial for this role, be ready to discuss how you've effectively collaborated with cross-functional teams and supply chain partners in the past. Share strategies you've used to build strong relationships and ensure successful project outcomes.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle high-impact areas using risk-based methodologies. Think about potential challenges in project delivery and how you would address them, demonstrating your proactive mindset and attention to detail.
