Senior Project Manager - Capital Delivery in Exeter

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

At Pennon Group, we’re proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power, we’re leading the way in water and renewables.

We’re proud to be recognised as 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 supporting 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.

Deliver Infrastructure That Matters

Every day, our teams deliver the essential infrastructure that supports customers, communities and the environment. As we continue one of the most ambitious investment programmes in our history, we’re looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to join our Capital Delivery team and help shape the future of our assets and services.

This is a pivotal leadership role where you’ll take ownership of major engineering and infrastructure projects, influence investment decisions, and lead the successful delivery of complex capital programmes that make a lasting impact.

If you’re an experienced project leader who thrives in a complex environment, enjoys building high-performing teams and has the commercial and strategic expertise to deliver major projects successfully, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing:

As a Senior Project Manager, you’ll lead a portfolio of strategically important capital projects from development through to completion, ensuring the highest standards of safety, customer focus, environmental compliance and delivery performance.

You’ll:

• Lead the delivery of complex engineering and infrastructure projects of significant value and importance.

• Take overall accountability for project performance, governance, budget and outcomes.

• Manage project investment, forecasting and financial performance across your portfolio.

• Provide leadership and direction to Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers and delivery partners.

• Drive commercial performance through NEC contract management and effective supplier relationships.

• Lead governance activities and provide reporting to senior leaders and decision-making forums.

• Act as the senior escalation point for project risks, issues and stakeholder concerns.

• Champion excellence in health, safety, quality and environmental performance.

• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, external partners and regulatory bodies.

• Support the development of project management capability through coaching, mentoring and succession planning.

What we’re looking for:

You’ll bring a proven track record of delivering major capital projects within infrastructure, utilities, engineering, construction or similarly complex environments.

We’re particularly interested in candidates who have:

• Significant experience leading large-scale capital projects and programmes.

• Strong experience managing multidisciplinary teams and supply chain partners.

• Advanced commercial management expertise with extensive NEC contract experience.

• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills.

• Experience presenting to directors, executive teams and governance boards.

• A strong track record of managing risk, resolving complex challenges and driving successful project outcomes.

Essential

• Degree qualified in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related discipline.

• APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner or equivalent qualification.

• Extensive NEC contract management experience.

• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer (CEng), Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) or equivalent professional accreditation.

• Programme management qualifications such as MSP or PgMP.

• Leadership and management qualifications.

Why Join Us?

At Pennon, we’re investing billions into the infrastructure that keeps our communities thriving. This is an opportunity to work on projects that have a genuine impact on customers, the environment and the future resilience of our services.

• 30 days annual leave + bank holidays

• Bonus

• 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: 5th October 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 everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.