At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead environmental strategy for innovative water resource projects and ensure sustainability.
- Company: Join South West Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days leave, private healthcare, and development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental sustainability in stunning landscapes.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in environmental leadership with strong technical expertise.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ 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 are seeking an experienced and visionary Environmental Lead to join our Strategic Resource Options (SRO) team. This is a critical leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering the environmental strategy for some of the most complex and high-profile water resource projects across South West Water and the wider Pennon Group.
As Environmental Lead, you will provide strategic direction, technical oversight, and leadership across multi-partner programmes designed to secure long-term, resilient water supplies in the face of climate change, population growth, and increasing environmental pressures. This role sits at the heart of ensuring our SRO programme not only meets statutory and regulatory requirements, but also sets a benchmark for environmental protection, enhancement, and sustainability-enabling successful project delivery while placing nature at the centre of decision-making.
What You'll Be Doing
- Strategic Environmental Leadership
- Lead and define the environmental ambition for SROs, aligning with water resource plans and national policy.
- Ensure environmental considerations are embedded early in feasibility, design, and appraisal.
- Shape innovative, sustainable, and resilient water resource solutions.
- Regulatory & Planning Excellence
- Act as the senior environmental interface with regulators (Environment Agency, Natural England, Ofwat).
- Provide leadership across RAPID and Ofwat gated processes.
- Ensure compliance with environmental legislation, permits, and Biodiversity Net Gain requirements.
- Environmental Assurance & Delivery
- Oversee environmental assessments (EIA, HRA, WFD, BNG) across programmes.
- Champion robust data, mitigation strategies, and a mitigation hierarchy approach.
- Integrate biodiversity, natural capital, and ecosystem resilience into project design.
- Stakeholder & Partnership Leadership
- Represent South West Water in regional and national forums.
- Build strong relationships with partners, regulators, NGOs, and communities.
- Support transparent engagement with stakeholders impacted by SRO development.
- Leadership & Capability Building
- Advise senior leadership and Board-level stakeholders on environmental matters.
- Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams across organisations and consultancies.
- Build internal capability and provide technical oversight across all environmental activity.
What experience you'll bring
- 15+ years' experience in environmental leadership within water resources, infrastructure, or major programmes.
- Strong technical expertise (e.g., environmental science, hydrology, ecology, water quality).
- Deep understanding of SROs, water resource planning, and UK environmental frameworks.
- Proven experience working with regulators and navigating complex planning processes.
- Strong track record delivering environmental assessments and RAPID gates.
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead across organisational boundaries.
What you'll need
- Essential
- Degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Geography, or related field.
- Chartered professional (e.g., CEnv, CIWEM, IEMA).
- Strong personal commitment to environmental sustainability.
- Ability to travel across the South West.
- Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline.
- Experience working across regional partnerships or national programmes.
- Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
What's in it for you:
We know our people drive our success - so we're committed to offering an excellent range of benefits, including:
- 30 days annual leave + bank holidays.
- Bonus Plan.
- Private Healthcare.
- Company car or cash for car allowance.
- Competitive contributory pension.
- Share-save scheme.
- Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes.
- Group discounts.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Financial support services.
- Development and training opportunities.
- ... and much more!
Closing Date: 9th June 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.
SRO Environment Lead in Bristol employer: South West Water
South West Water is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of environmental leadership within the stunning landscapes of the South West. With a strong commitment to sustainability and a culture that values diversity and inclusion, employees benefit from extensive training and development opportunities, competitive benefits including private healthcare and a generous leave policy, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on water resource management and environmental protection. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to shaping a greener future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SRO Environment Lead in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the water sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for the environment! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your commitment to sustainability and how it aligns with their goals. This will set you apart as someone who truly cares about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and initiatives. Be ready to discuss how your experience can contribute to their environmental strategy. Tailoring your responses to their specific needs shows you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, go ahead and make that splash!
We think you need these skills to ace SRO Environment Lead in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in environmental leadership and water resource management. We want to see how your skills align with our goals at South West Water!
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for environmental sustainability shine through! Share specific examples of projects or initiatives you've been involved in that demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible, so we can easily understand your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands and helps us get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Know Your Environmental Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of environmental science, hydrology, and ecology. Be ready to discuss how these areas relate to water resource planning and the specific challenges faced by South West Water.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and influencing senior stakeholders. Think about times when you've successfully navigated complex planning processes or built strong relationships with regulators.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with South West Water's core values: being rock solid, being yourself, and being the future. During the interview, demonstrate how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of sustainability.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to environmental assessments and compliance with legislation. Brush up on your knowledge of EIA, HRA, and Biodiversity Net Gain requirements, and be ready to discuss how you would integrate these into project design.
