At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead risk management for a £1 billion capital programme and drive a proactive risk-aware culture.
- Company: Join South East Water, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
- Benefits: Enjoy 5 weeks holiday, flexible leave, health cash plan, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by protecting vital projects and enhancing community services.
- Qualifications: Professional certification in Risk Management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 77000 - 90000 £ per year.
Are you a Risk Lead capable of taking South East Water from foundational tracking to world-class QSRA and QCRA modeling? Do you have a track record of driving down cost impact risks to unlock critical contingency in a massive capital budget? The PMO Portfolio Risk Lead owns the 'What if' scenarios, protecting the £1 billion Capital Programme from uncertainty, including both threats and opportunities.
Operating within the central IPMO hub, you will champion a risk-aware culture across the organisation's 'spokes'. While using an in-house risk system, you will lead the evolution of the function, fulfilling the strong desire to implement Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis (QSRA) and Cost Risk Analysis (QCRA). You will be responsible for setting Risk Management Standards, assurance and maturing capabilities to meet SEW's organisational needs. All standards and assurance activity will integrate with broader SEW Risk Management practices and will need to enable escalated mitigation up to Board level. Accountable for driving down the cost impact risks to create efficiency and contingency in the budget.
Without this role, South East Water would face increased project volatility, 'surprises' in delivery, an inability to provide regulators with confidence regarding contingency and exposure and an impact to customer experience.
Main responsibilities:
- Accountable for the overall risk management framework to ensure consistent processes across all projects.
- Sets the risk management standards and systems for all SEW staff.
- Responsible for effective risk management across the c£1bn capital programme, driving down the financial and commercial exposure to risk to enable more effective delivery of target outcomes.
- Lead the facilitation of risk identification and analysis workshops to drive a proactive, risk-aware culture within delivery teams across the organisation.
- Drive, teach and explain the implementation of Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis (QSRA) to improve confidence in project delivery dates.
- Own the successful use, implementation and improvements of South East Water’s Risk Management Systems.
- Monitor the implementation of risk responses across the organisation to actively control the risk landscape rather than just tracking it.
- Consolidate project-level risks into a portfolio view to identify systemic trends and prioritise significant threats.
- Escalate and advise on strategic risks to senior leadership to enable informed decision-making on exposure and contingency.
- Mentor SEW staff on risk management best practices to continually improve the organisation's maturity.
- Lead rapid impact assessment workshops during major external crises to model scenarios and guide executive response.
You'll need:
- Professional certification in Risk Management (e.g., IRM, PMI-RMP).
- Project Management certification (e.g., APM, PRINCE2).
- Facilitation qualification (Desirable).
- Clear demonstration of developed/developing leadership skills and capabilities.
- Expert in management skills required to develop a high performing team of Direct Reports.
- Expertise in Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis (QSRA) and Cost Risk Analysis (QCRA).
- Leadership to inspire, influence and effectively drive a proactive risk culture across all levels at SEW.
- Facilitation skills for running effective risk workshops.
- Expertise to train and coach individuals at all levels.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify systemic trends and emerging risks.
- Commercial acumen and strong finance/budget understanding to enable effective management of c£1bn capital portfolio.
- The ability to manage and influence all levels of stakeholders and build collaborative partnerships across business teams.
- Expert and adaptive communicator who successfully tailors complex messages to varied audiences.
- Expert in fully integrating Risk Management practices into core PMO capabilities.
- Expertise in developing and assuring Risk Management Standards and practices.
- Demonstrable experience of increasing responsibilities.
- A track record in leading Project Risk Management activities on large capital programmes.
- A history of establishing Enterprise Risk Management frameworks.
- Proven experience in managing, implementing and ensuring optimal use of Risk Management Systems and Risk Data.
- Extensive experience facilitating risk identification and response planning workshops to senior audiences.
- Significant operational knowledge of aggregating project risks into a portfolio-level view.
- Demonstrable leadership experience and strategy development.
Employees are required to be flexible and to be prepared to perform duties and other tasks within their capabilities. The nature of our business is such that the contents of any job profile are subject to change from time to time.
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.
What can you expect from your recruitment?
To apply for this position, please submit your CV on our careers 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: £77,000 - £90,000 p.a. dependant on experience.
Investment Portfolio Risk Lead employer: South East Water
At South East Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values collaboration and diversity. As a Cost Controller, you will not only play a crucial role in managing multi-million pound projects but also benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through comprehensive training and a generous benefits package, including a stakeholder pension scheme and flexible leave options. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve while enjoying a fulfilling career in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Investment Portfolio Risk Lead
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like South East Water. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Investment Portfolio Risk Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to South East Water.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on South East Water's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at South East Water
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with South East Water.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at South East Water will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former South East Water employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
