At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a major £1.8bn infrastructure project to enhance regional water resilience.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector with a purpose-driven mission.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, annual bonus, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while shaping the future of water resources.
- Qualifications: Extensive project management experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes. We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife. Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career. Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
Join South West Water’s Strategic Resource Options Programme. Exeter or Bristol HQ | Hybrid working | Full-time. Up to £100,000 per annum (depending on experience and skills), for candidates with a proven track record delivering large-scale infrastructure projects.
At South West Water, we’re more than a water company, we’re custodians of a vital natural resource. As we progress one of the most ambitious water resource programmes in the UK, we are seeking an exceptional and highly experienced Senior Project Manager to take a leading role in delivering the Cheddar 2 project within our Strategic Resource Options (SRO) Programme. This is a rare opportunity to lead a £1.8bn, nationally significant infrastructure scheme of considerable scale and complexity. The project includes the development of an 8,200Ml non‑impounding reservoir, a 40Ml/d water treatment works, and 76km of pipeline, forming a critical component of the region’s long‑term water resilience strategy.
Given its size, technical demands and strategic importance, this role requires a proven project delivery leader with extensive experience managing major, multidisciplinary infrastructure programmes. This is your opportunity to play a central role in strengthening regional water resilience and environmental sustainability for future generations.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead & Inspire
- Lead and coordinate a large multidisciplinary project team
- Build strong relationships with internal teams, partners, regulators, and stakeholders
- Promote a culture of collaboration, trust and high performance
- Support and develop team members to achieve their full potential
- Drive Excellence in Delivery
- Manage day‑to‑day delivery of the Cheddar 2 project
- Develop and oversee plans, schedules, budgets, and resource allocation
- Ensure delivery aligns with programme governance and regulatory frameworks
- Monitor performance across scope, cost, schedule, and quality
- Manage risks, issues, dependencies, and escalations
- Enable Programme Integration
- Work closely with PMO, commercial, procurement, finance and risk functions
- Ensure joined‑up delivery across all project workstreams
- Support progression through programme and regulatory gateways
- Embed consistent project controls and reporting practices
- Deliver Impact
- Coordinate stakeholder engagement across regulators, local authorities and partners
- Support procurement and contract management activities
- Contribute to business cases, approvals and governance submissions
- Provide high‑quality reporting and insights to programme leadership
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality standards
What We’re Looking For
- Experience & Expertise
- Extensive experience in project management, including leadership roles
- Proven track record delivering large, complex infrastructure or capital projects
- Experience working in regulated or highly complex environments
- Strong background in project governance, controls, and delivery frameworks
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and competing priorities
- Water, utilities or environmental sector experience (desirable)
- Knowledge of Ofwat delivery models (DPC/SIPR) or privately financed models (advantageous)
- Qualifications
- Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management or related discipline
- Professional qualification (APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner, PMP or equivalent)
- Professional membership (desirable)
- Health, safety or construction‑related training (advantageous)
- Skills & Attributes
- Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills
- Excellent organisational and problem‑solving capabilities
- Confident communicator with experience engaging senior stakeholders
- Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable operating in complexity
- Passionate about delivering meaningful, sustainable outcomes
Why Join Us?
At South West Water, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Deliver a nationally significant infrastructure project with real impact
- Work within a high‑profile, strategic programme shaping the region’s future
- Collaborate with passionate, purpose‑driven colleagues
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement in a complex delivery environment
What You’ll Get
Join us and help deliver a resilient, sustainable water future for the South West.
- Competitive Salary – Based on your experience and expertise
- Company Car or Car Allowance – Supporting your role requirements
- Annual Bonus Scheme – Rewarding company performance
- Pension Scheme – Helping you plan ahead
- Flexible Working – Hybrid options and work‑life balance
- Healthcare Support – Access to wellbeing and support services
- Employee Discounts – Savings on a range of products and services
- Annual Leave – Time to recharge and reset
Closing Date: 3rd July 2026. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process. Apply today and help secure water for the future.
Senior Project Manager, Major Projects - Cheddar 2 in Bristol employer: AquaCare, Company
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being more than just a water company; we are dedicated custodians of a vital natural resource, committed to environmental sustainability and community impact. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and personal growth, providing employees with the opportunity to lead significant infrastructure projects that shape the future of the region. With competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing, joining our team means contributing to a greener future while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Manager, Major Projects - Cheddar 2 in Bristol
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like AquaCare, Company, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Senior Project Manager, Major Projects - Cheddar 2 at AquaCare, Company.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Manager, Major Projects - Cheddar 2 in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at AquaCare, Company
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
