At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of a world-class network control framework and mentor technical teams.
- Company: Join South East Water, a forward-thinking company dedicated to sustainability and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, flexible leave, and health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water supply and work with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or related field and extensive experience in production planning.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 € per year.
Summary: The Network Strategy Lead is a senior technical leadership position responsible for the architectural integrity and operational resilience of the distribution network. This role serves as the bridge between strategic hydraulic modelling and real-time field execution. As a founding leader within the Central Operations function, you will be tasked with designing and implementing a world-class network control framework that minimises service interruptions and maximises asset performance. You will act as the ultimate technical authority for network operations, transitioning the business from a reactive stance to a proactive, data-driven strategy. This role involves the high-level mentoring of Network Controllers and the integration of "Smart Network" technologies into daily operational workflows to protect customer service and water quality.
Key Responsibilities:
- Network Architecture & Strategic Governance
- Control Function Design: Lead the development and implementation of the Network Control Room's standard operating procedures, ensuring a seamless interface between telemetry and field activity.
- Strategic Sign-off: Serve as the final technical authority within the Outage Management System (OMS) for all below-ground assets, ensuring every planned intervention is risk-assessed against hydraulic constraints.
- Zonal Strategy Ownership: Collaborate with Asset Management and Modelling teams to ensure the long-term investment strategy addresses network vulnerabilities and constant-supply risks.
- Smart Networks Integration: Drive the delivery of Smart Network initiatives, utilising IoT sensors and advanced analytics to improve network visibility and predictive maintenance.
- Strategic Planning & Risk Mitigation; Operational Resilience & Incident Command
- Hydraulic Situational Awareness: Act as the primary technical lead during major incidents, synthesising real-time data to provide field teams with precise, validated valving instructions.
- Impact Mitigation: Perform rapid hydraulic impact assessments during reactive events to prevent secondary issues such as pressure surges, air ingress, or water quality discolouration.
- Contingency Planning: Architect robust, data-driven contingency plans and "Alternative Water" strategies to ensure service continuity during asset failure or high-demand periods.
- Performance Optimisation: Continuously analyse network performance against strategic plans, identifying trends and implementing comprehensive Interruption Improvement Plans.
- Leadership & Technical Mentorship
- Capability Building: Coach and mentor Network Controllers, elevating the team’s technical proficiency in hydraulic interpretation and risk-based decision-making.
- Cross-Functional Direction: Bridge the gap between the Control Centre and Field Distribution teams, providing the technical "North Star" for operational adjustments.
- Executive Reporting: Distil complex network risks and performance metrics into high-level reports for the Executive Board, justifying strategic interventions and capital spend.
Note on Flexibility: The nature of a strategic network role requires high levels of agility. The incumbent must be prepared to adapt strategies in real-time to account for climate-driven demand shifts, emerging technologies, and evolving regulatory targets.
What You’ll Bring
- Qualifications & Technical Excellence
- Academic Excellence: Degree-level qualification (or equivalent) in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Data Science, or a technical discipline.
- Sector Expertise: Extensive experience in high-stakes production planning, ideally within the Utilities or Water sector.
- Leadership: A proven track record of organisational design—building, mentoring, and scaling technical teams.
- Skills & Experience
- Advanced Analytics: Mastery of predictive modelling and data synthesis to translate raw SCADA/Prism telemetry into actionable long-term strategy.
- Strategic Diplomacy: Exceptional influencing skills with the ability to navigate boardroom-level discussions and gain buy-in from cross-functional stakeholders.
- Systems Thinking: Deep expertise in resource optimisation, balancing short-term tactical volatility with multi-year asset health goals.
- Narrative Data Presentation: A sophisticated ability to distil complex risk profiles and performance metrics into clear, executive-level narratives.
We want to be the water company people want to be supplied by and want to work for. We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That’s why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.
Benefits package:
- Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
- 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
- Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
- Paid volunteering days.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Health cash plan.
- Life assurance.
- Wellbeing related benefits.
To apply for this position, please submit your CV on our career’s website. It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water. Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.
If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, apply now!
South East Water kindly asks that recruitment agencies refrain from submitting CVs to our employees or associates without explicit invitation from our HR Resourcing team. CVs sent on a speculative basis will not be acknowledged and will not assume any responsibility for fees or commissions in the event that we hire a candidate who applied directly or subsequently introduced by an instructed agency.
Compensation package: Up to £60,000 + £6,492.29 car allowance
Join our team: Be you, belong and valued. Grow a career with a meaningful purpose. Introduce yourself to our recruiters and we'll get in touch if there's a role that seems like a good match. Grow a career with a meaningful purpose.
- Come to work to be safe, valued, and trusted.
- We’ll encourage you to create and pursue new opportunities for personal growth.
- A place to be the real you, build deeper connections and enjoy a sense of belonging.
- Be invested in helping us to create a sustainable water supply for now, and in the future.
Network Strategy Lead in Hampshire employer: South East Water Limited
At South East Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters inclusivity and personal growth. As a Network Strategy Lead, you will benefit from a comprehensive benefits package, including a generous pension scheme, flexible holiday options, and opportunities for professional development, all while contributing to a meaningful mission of ensuring sustainable water supply for our diverse communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Network Strategy Lead in Hampshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network, network, network! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews like a pro! Research the company, understand their values, and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their needs. Practise common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your experience in network strategy and operational resilience.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your past projects, especially those related to network architecture and smart technologies. This will give you an edge and demonstrate your hands-on experience to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to a sustainable water supply.
We think you need these skills to ace Network Strategy Lead in Hampshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Network Strategy Lead. Highlight your experience in network architecture and strategic governance, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant projects that demonstrate your leadership skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention your passion for operational resilience and how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:We want to see your technical prowess! Be sure to include specific examples of your experience with predictive modelling, data synthesis, and any Smart Network technologies you've worked with. This will help us understand your capabilities.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our careers website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at South East Water Limited
✨Know Your Network Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's distribution network and its operational challenges. Familiarise yourself with their current strategies and technologies, especially around Smart Networks and hydraulic modelling. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership and mentoring abilities. Think of specific instances where you've successfully guided teams through complex projects or crises. This is crucial for a role that involves coaching Network Controllers and bridging gaps between teams.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since this role requires a strong focus on data analytics and predictive modelling, come prepared to discuss your experience with these tools. Bring examples of how you've used data to inform strategic decisions or improve operational resilience in past roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-time situations. Think about potential incidents you might face in this role and how you would handle them. Being able to articulate your thought process during high-pressure scenarios will demonstrate your readiness for the position.
