At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead governance and assurance for customer insight and performance activities.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, flexible working, and healthcare benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on customer trust and decision-making in a sustainable environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in governance, assurance, or compliance with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
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.
At South West Water, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for a Governance & Assurance Manager to lead the governance and assurance of customer insight, research and performance activity, ensuring we can demonstrate robust, credible and auditable evidence of how customer voice is embedded in decision-making. This role goes beyond compliance, acting as a critical enabler of trust, quality and confidence in our Voice of the Customer capability.
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead and develop the governance and assurance framework for Voice of the Customer, research and performance activities.
- Ensure all customer insight and research activity meets robust methodological, ethical and quality standards.
- Establish and maintain clear audit trails demonstrating how customer voice informs business decisions.
- Lead assurance of Consumer Involvement activity, ensuring compliance with regulatory expectations.
- Provide independent challenge and review of research design, insight outputs and reporting.
- Develop and embed governance standards, processes and best practice guidance.
- Support regulatory submissions, assurance reviews and audit responses.
- Work closely with stakeholders to ensure data governance, privacy and compliance requirements are consistently applied.
- Identify risks relating to customer insight, data and reporting, driving improvements where required.
- Promote a culture of transparency, accountability and evidence-based decision-making across the organisation.
About You
You will bring a strong background in governance, assurance, insight, research or compliance, with the ability to balance robust controls with effective business outcomes. You'll have:
- 5+ years' experience in governance, assurance, insight, research or compliance roles.
- Experience developing and implementing governance or assurance frameworks.
- Strong understanding of research methodologies and data quality standards.
- Experience supporting regulatory processes, audits or assurance activities.
- Experience identifying and managing risks relating to data, insight or reporting.
- Proven ability to influence stakeholders and embed standards, controls and best practice.
- Experience working within a regulated environment, ideally utilities.
- Strong understanding of data governance, privacy and compliance requirements.
- Knowledge of Consumer Involvement or similar regulatory frameworks.
- Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
Why Join Us?
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring customer insight is trusted, transparent and impactful. You'll work with senior stakeholders across the business, helping to strengthen governance and assurance while ensuring customer evidence remains central to decision-making and regulatory compliance.
We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our Governance & Assurance Manager, you'll enjoy:
- Competitive Salary - Based on experience and skills
- Annual Bonus Scheme - Recognising company performance
- Pension Scheme - Helping you plan for your future
- Flexible Working Options - We value work-life balance and offer flexible hours and hybrid working where possible
- Healthcare Benefits - Access to employee assistance programs
- Employee Discounts - On various products and services
- Annual Leave - Take time to recharge with our holiday entitlement
Closing Date: 25th September 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.
Governance & Assurance Manager in Bath employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee health and wellbeing. With a commitment to sustainability and community engagement, our Occupational Health and Wellbeing Lead will have the unique opportunity to shape impactful programmes while enjoying generous benefits, including 30 days of annual leave. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our employees and the environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Governance & Assurance Manager in Bath
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like South West Water, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
✨Join Relevant Networks
Look for communities focused on public sector careers. Whether it’s local networking groups or online forums, connecting with professionals in the field can provide insider knowledge and opportunities that you won’t find on typical job boards.
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re freshly graduated or still studying, make the most of your university's careers service. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies like South West Water and can help you get your foot in the door for these full-time public sector roles.
✨Stay Updated with Government Initiatives
Keep your finger on the pulse regarding new government projects and policies. Understanding current initiatives can give you a leg up in interviews, showing that you are informed and genuinely interested in making a difference in the public sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Governance & Assurance Manager in Bath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for South West Water and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with South West Water, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for South West Water.