Network Strategy Lead in Snodland

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.
• 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.
• 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

• 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.
• 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.

What can you expect from your recruitment? 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.