At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead risk management for major water infrastructure projects and ensure long-term resource resilience.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, company car, annual bonus, healthcare benefits, and generous leave.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical water resource solutions and shape best practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in risk management for large-scale infrastructure projects and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 59576 - 70089 £ 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.
Join South West Water's Strategic Resource Options Programme. South West Water is delivering one of the most ambitious infrastructure programmes in the UK - our £4bn+ Strategic Resource Options (SRO) programme. We are seeking a Risk Manager to play a pivotal role at the heart of this transformation. This is an opportunity to influence major infrastructure delivery, support critical decision-making, and help ensure long-term resilience of water resources for customers and communities.
The Role
As Risk Manager, you will lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the programme-wide risk management framework across a diverse portfolio of major water infrastructure projects. You will work across reservoirs, transfer pipelines, water recycling, treatment infrastructure and enabling works, ensuring risks are proactively identified, assessed and managed throughout the programme lifecycle. You will collaborate with programme teams, delivery partners, consultants and senior stakeholders to embed a strong, proactive risk culture and deliver robust insight to support decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and embed a programme-wide risk management framework across the SRO portfolio
- Establish consistent risk standards, governance and reporting processes
- Ensure risk processes are consistent with the Pennon risk management approach
- Regular liaison with the central risk team
- Identify, assess and manage strategic and project risks
- Facilitate risk workshops and scenario planning with key stakeholders
- Maintain risk registers, dashboards and insightful reporting for senior leadership
- Monitor emerging risks impacting cost, schedule and delivery
- Provide clear analysis of risk trends, exposure and mitigation effectiveness
- Support assurance activities, audits and regulatory submissions
- Integrate risk management with programme controls, planning and forecasting
- Contribute to quantitative risk analysis (cost and schedule)
- Build strong relationships across teams, partners and stakeholders
- Promote a proactive, transparent risk management culture
- Coach and support teams to strengthen risk capability
About You
Essential
- Significant experience in risk management within major infrastructure or capital delivery environments
- Experience working on complex, large-scale programmes (utilities, water, energy, transport or construction)
- Strong understanding of risk management methodologies across enterprise, programme and project levels
- Experience facilitating risk workshops and engaging with senior stakeholders
- Ability to communicate complex risk information clearly to senior leadership
Desirable
- Degree in Risk Management, Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management or related discipline
- APM Risk Certificate (or equivalent)
- PRINCE2 Practitioner, MSP or similar programme management qualification
- Experience with programme controls systems and risk management software
- Knowledge of quantitative risk analysis techniques (e.g. Monte Carlo)
- Experience in major project delivery and regulated environments
Why Join South West Water
- Be part of a nationally significant infrastructure programme
- Influence delivery of critical water resource solutions
- Work in a collaborative, multi-stakeholder environment
- Shape and embed best practice risk management at programme scale
- Gain exposure to complex regulatory, commercial and delivery challenges
What's in it for you?
- Competitive Salary - Based on experience and expertise
- Company Car or Car Allowance - Supporting your role
- Annual Bonus Scheme - Rewarding performance
- Pension Scheme - Helping you plan for your future
- Healthcare Benefits - Including private healthcare and wellbeing support
- Professional Development - Ongoing training and career progression
- Employee Discounts - Across a range of services
- Generous Annual Leave - Supporting your work-life balance
Closing Date: Thursday 9th 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.
Locations
SRO Risk Manager in Devon, Plymouth employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative work culture that values diversity and inclusion. As part of the Pennon Group, our SRO Risk Manager role provides unique opportunities for professional development within a nationally significant infrastructure programme, alongside competitive benefits such as a company car, annual bonus scheme, and generous annual leave. Join us in shaping the future of water resources while enjoying a fulfilling career in the stunning landscapes of Exeter or Bristol.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SRO Risk Manager in Devon, Plymouth
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like South West Water looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace SRO Risk Manager in Devon, Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at South West Water. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with South West Water’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
