At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a team to ensure high performance and operational consistency.
- Company: Join South West Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, competitive pension, and access to discounts.
- Other info: Diversity is our strength; we celebrate uniqueness and foster inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in water services while shaping your career.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in operational management required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ 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’re seeking a proactive Central Team Leader to lead and develop our Regional Controllers, driving high standards of performance, compliance, and operational consistency. Working closely with the Central Operations Manager, you’ll provide day‑to‑day leadership, support continuous improvement, and act as a key link between local teams, planners, and controllers to ensure aligned ways of working. You’ll also collaborate with the Alarm Team and Central Support Technician to ensure effective triage and management of contacts and alarms through the Service Support Centre.
What we are looking for:
- Provide full line management responsibility for WWS Regional Controllers, including recruitment, onboarding, training, coaching, and ongoing development.
- Drive strong performance management through regular 1:1s, objective setting, capability tracking, and annual appraisals.
- Ensure appropriate resourcing and cover is in place during absence, peak demand, or heightened operational risk periods.
- Own, maintain, and continuously improve operational documentation, standards, processes, and compliance requirements for the WWS Central team.
- Monitor adherence to agreed standards and ways of working, escalating risks or instances of non‑compliance where required.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, resilience, and regulatory assurance across Central operations.
- Act as deputy to the WWS Central Operations Manager, providing leadership, decision‑making, and direction during periods of absence.
- Support the Central Ops Manager in managing effective working relationships with WWS local area managers, planning and scheduling teams, and other operational stakeholders.
- Act as a key interface between central and regional operations to ensure alignment, clarity, and consistency of practices.
- Work closely with the Alarm Team and Central Support Technician to ensure effective triage, prioritisation, and resolution of alarms, contacts, and proactive initiatives received through the SSC.
- Provide operational support during major incidents, compliance events, or periods of increased operational pressure, ensuring timely escalation and coordination.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Required: Minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent), including Maths, English, and a Science subject.
- Desirable: A‑levels or recognised Water Industry qualifications, Control room experience, Management experience, Waste Water Services operational experience.
What's in it for you:
- Generous holiday allowance with the ability to buy and sell annual leave for added flexibility.
- Competitive company pension scheme.
- Training and development within the role.
- Access to thousands of discounts and vouchers through Pennon Perks.
- 24/7 support with our Employee Assistance Programme.
- Discretionary bonus.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- And more!
Closing Date: 1st July 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.
Central Team Leader in Exeter employer: South West Water Limited
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. As part of the Pennon Group, we provide our employees with generous benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, flexible holiday options, and extensive training and development opportunities. Join us in a role that not only drives operational excellence but also contributes to a greener future in one of the UK's most beautiful regions.
