Head of Data, Analytics and AI

This job is with Southern Water, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

Closing Date: 2025-06-30

Location: Hybrid working between our offices in Falmer (East Sussex), Durrington (Worthing) and home.

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday

Salary: Commensurate to experience + car allowance.

Southern Water is dedicated to providing reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services to millions of customers across the region. Our mission is to ensure the highest standards of water quality, environmental stewardship, and customer satisfaction. As we navigate the challenges of climate change and evolving customer needs, we are committed to leveraging innovative solutions to enhance our operations and services.

We are at a pivotal moment in our journey, embarking on a transformative initiative in the fields of Data, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This transformation will harness the power of data to drive strategic decision-making, optimise and automate processes, and deliver exceptional value to our customers. As the Head of Data, Analytics & AI, you will play a crucial role in shaping and leading this transformation, positioning Southern Water at the forefront of technological advancement in the water industry. This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation and make a significant impact on our future.

The Head of Data, Analytics & AI is a senior role within our Digital & Transformation directorate for delivering our vision of a business-centric and modern Analytics & AI capability that enables the rest of the business to make the right operational decisions across all directorates. The role has line management responsibility for the teams accountable for the Strategy, Transformation, Governance, Science, Analysis, and Engineering, across the Data, Analytics & AI domain across Southern Water, reporting into the Digital Director.

Accountabilities

• This role is accountable for managing the key outputs from the Data, Analytics & AI team, working together within the Digital Directorate and our wider business.
• Data, Analytics & AI Strategy - Maintain and evolve a business-centric strategy that enables the rest of the business to be more effective using Data, Analytics & AI.
• Data, Analytics & AI Transformation - Lead the Transformation Programme that implements the Strategy through a programmatic planning and delivery of all its elements, prioritised by the value they enable.
• Data, Analytics & AI Governance - Definition, rollout and endorsement of frameworks, policies and procedures for Data, Analytics & AI governance, management, quality, ownership and literacy.
• Data Science - Identification of incremental value through data exploration and hypothesis testing. Design and delivery of analytical and ML models for advanced use cases.
• Data Analysis - Proactive insights to improve the company effectiveness. Enablement and governance of a federated self-service with other departments. Lead cross-SW Community of Practice for data analysis.
• Data Engineering - Data ingestion, transformation and automation of data pipelines. Software development for production statistical/ML models and dashboards.

To be successful in this role you will have the following Skills / Competencies:

• Leads and manages the creation and review of the D&A strategic plan for Digital that aligns with the business strategy.
• Sets direction for ethics in AI and data initiatives across Southern Water. Develops and implements strategic ethical frameworks. Leads high-level reviews and decision-making processes.
• Applies established machine learning techniques and algorithms to solve business problems.
• Ensures business intelligence processes, procedures and practices are robust, efficient and fit for purpose, focusing on automation, key controls and data quality. Manages reviews of the benefits and value of business intelligence techniques and tools and recommends improvements.
• Develops organisational policies, standards and guidelines for the development and secure operation of data services and products. Ensures adherence to technical strategies and architectures.
• Establishes an environment for developing, continually improving and securely operating software and systems products and services.
• Defines tactics to use considering the challenges to be addressed. Provides guidance and makes suggestions to support individuals responsible for operational implementation of change management activities. Develops and communicates tailored change management plans.
• Establishes and builds relationships with the project sponsors and key stakeholders.
• Determines development needs for the D&A area. Aligns development activities with organisational priorities, learning and development strategies and career pathways. Guides practitioners in creating development plans. Advises and supports assigned practitioners, ensuring alignment with professional development plans and career opportunities.
• Provides general advice and guidance on financial planning, budgeting and accounting using recognised practices and standards. Develops high-level financial plans and forecasts to guide organisational strategies and plans. Monitors expenditure to ensure alignment with budgetary goals.

Join Southern Water and see how far your career could progress with a company committed to career progression, training and development opportunities, our customers and the environment.