At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a £3.2bn capital investment programme for water infrastructure.
- Company: Join South West Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: 30 days leave, private healthcare, bonus plan, and development opportunities.
- Other info: Diversity is our strength; we celebrate uniqueness and foster inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of water services while making a positive environmental impact.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in large-scale capital programmes and regulated environments.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 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.
We are looking for an exceptional Capital Director to lead the strategic delivery of a £3.2bn capital investment programme (2025–2030), driving the future of water and wastewater infrastructure. This is a critical executive leadership role, reporting to the Chief Asset Officer you will be responsible for ensuring our capital portfolio delivers safe, compliant, resilient, and affordable services for customers—while meeting ambitious regulatory, environmental, and operational outcomes for AMP8 and beyond.
You’ll provide oversight of major programmes and champion best‑in‑class project, programme, and portfolio management across the organisation.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead Capital Programme Delivery
- Oversee a complex portfolio of major capital programmes (c. £750 m per annum)
- Ensure delivery against cost, schedule, quality, and performance targets
- Drive excellence in health & safety, environmental compliance, and sustainability
- Governance & Assurance
- Chair key governance forums and ensure robust control frameworks
- Maintain regulatory, audit, and assurance readiness across all programmes
- Commercial & Supply Chain Strategy
- Define and deliver commercial strategies, including alliancing and delivery models
- Build high‑performing, collaborative partner ecosystems
- Ensure strong risk management and value for money
- Regulatory & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a senior interface with regulators, including Ofwat
- Support business planning and price review processes
- Build trusted relationships with stakeholders, partners, and communities
- Leadership & Culture
- Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams
- Build capability across programme delivery, digital, and carbon management
- Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, safety, and continuous improvement
What we're looking for:
- Experience
- Extensive senior leadership experience delivering large‑scale capital programmes
- Background in regulated infrastructure environments (e.g., water, utilities, transport, or energy)
- Strong knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks, asset management, and governance
- Proven track record in driving performance, efficiency, and innovation
- Experience working with complex stakeholder landscapes
- Qualifications
- Degree in Engineering, Asset Management, Business Planning, or a related discipline
- Professional accreditation (e.g., IAM, ICE, CIWEM) is desirable
What's in it for you:
We know our people drive our success — so we’re committed to offering an excellent range of benefits, including:
- 30 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Bonus Plan
- Private Healthcare
- Company car or cash for car allowance
- Competitive contributory pension
- Share‑save scheme
- Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes
- Group discounts
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Financial support services
- Development and training opportunities… and much more!
Closing Date: 19th June 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness. Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Capital Director in Exeter employer: Pennon Group
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters inclusion and innovation. With a commitment to employee growth through extensive training opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package, including private healthcare and a competitive pension scheme, we empower our team to thrive in their careers while contributing to a sustainable future in one of the UK's most beautiful regions. Join us as we lead the way in delivering vital water services and making a positive impact on our environment.
