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- Tasks: Manage projects to deliver cost-effective maintenance solutions and ensure quality and timely delivery.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation committed to tackling climate change and minimising environmental impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and a company car for site visits.
- Why this job: Be part of a team making a real difference in sustainability while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management within utilities, with strong communication and negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity to gain certifications like APM or Prince2 while working on impactful projects.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
Closing Date
08/08/2025
Job Title: Project Manager – Service Delivery
Location: Sussex – Hybrid – Full Driving Licence is essential due to site visit requirement
Perm/FTC: Permanent
Hours: 37
Salary: Up to £53,000 per annum (including a business needs car)
Job Description
There has never been a better time to join our organisation as we build towards a greener future, tackling climate change, minimising our environmental impact, and reducing our carbon footprint!
We are excited to announce an opening within our service delivery team for a Project Manager. The role involves providing cost-effective maintenance solutions to Southern Water’s operational sites and supporting the delivery of core works. Responsibilities include managing the entire work lifecycle, investigating cost-effective options, defining and communicating scope to contractors, and ensuring quality, cost, and timely delivery of solutions, along with post-delivery closeout.
Key duties also include contract administration of multiple projects, including cost and budget management, contract compliance, reporting, cost verification, and contractor H&S performance.
Reporting to the Senior Project Manager for Service Delivery, the team comprises six project managers responsible for delivering operational capital projects valued at approximately £50M. The role requires leveraging your skills in financial and works management to ensure projects are well-controlled financially and in governance.
Your Key Accountabilities Will Also Include
- Prioritizing health, safety, and environmental standards during project delivery
- Managing contractor activities regarding H&S, scope, and costs through governance, including audits, negotiations, and inspections
- Maintaining budget and cost data, forecasting final costs, and analyzing budget vs. actuals
- Finding innovative solutions to balance operational needs with cost constraints, avoiding unnecessary \’gold plating\’
- Assessing payment applications against completed work and costs
- Visiting sites for cost verification and stakeholder meetings as needed
- Supporting achievement of targets, milestones, KPIs, and aligning with Southern Water’s SIM targets
- Building effective relationships with site owners, contractors, team members, and stakeholders
To succeed, you should have strong technical and operational experience in maintenance project delivery, a good understanding of regulatory and legislative frameworks, and thorough knowledge of contract and commercial conditions. Confidence in delivering cost-effective solutions that meet operational and customer needs is essential, along with excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
Project management experience within a utility environment, especially water/wastewater operations, is required. Preferred qualifications include project-related certifications such as APM, Prince2, and health & safety qualifications (IOSH, NEBOSH), or willingness to obtain them.
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Project Manager employer: Southern Water
Contact Detail:
Southern Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and regulations in the water and wastewater sector. Understanding the unique aspects of this industry will help you demonstrate your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the utility sector, especially those involved in project management. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could lead to referrals or insider information about the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with cost management and contractor oversight in detail. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully managed budgets and ensured compliance in previous projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your communication and negotiation skills during any discussions. Since building relationships with stakeholders is crucial for this role, be prepared to share instances where you've effectively influenced outcomes or resolved conflicts.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant project management experience, especially in utility environments. Emphasise your skills in financial management, contract compliance, and health & safety standards.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for sustainability and how your experience aligns with the company's goals. Mention specific projects where you successfully managed costs and delivered on time.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have project management certifications like APM or Prince2, be sure to mention them prominently. If you’re willing to obtain health & safety qualifications, include that as well to show your commitment to the role.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role requires excellent communication and negotiation skills, provide examples in your application of how you've effectively built relationships with stakeholders and managed contractor activities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of the Project Manager role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with the key duties mentioned in the job description, such as managing contractor activities and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous project management experience, especially within a utility environment. Highlight specific projects where you successfully managed budgets, timelines, and stakeholder relationships, demonstrating your ability to deliver cost-effective solutions.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that assess your technical knowledge and operational experience in maintenance project delivery. Brush up on relevant regulatory frameworks and contract conditions, as well as any project management methodologies like APM or Prince2 that you may have used.
✨Demonstrate Communication Skills
Effective communication is crucial for a Project Manager. During the interview, showcase your ability to communicate clearly and confidently. Be ready to provide examples of how you've influenced stakeholders or negotiated with contractors to achieve project goals.
