At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic management of water assets and optimise performance across their lifecycle.
- Company: Join South West Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days leave, private healthcare, and a competitive pension plan.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while shaping your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Asset Management; leadership experience in asset management required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € 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. 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 exceptional Water Asset Director to lead the strategic management of our water asset portfolio. Based in Exeter with a hybrid working model, this is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring assets are managed across their full lifecycle to optimise performance, manage risk, and deliver outstanding regulatory and customer outcomes.
You will play a key role in shaping long-term asset strategies, investment planning, and governance frameworks that enhance resilience, sustainability, and efficiency across the business.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead and define the water asset management strategy, policy, and governance frameworks.
- Own asset health, performance, lifecycle optimisation, and risk management across the portfolio.
- Provide portfolio-level oversight of asset performance, including interdependencies and system impacts.
- Identify, assess, and prioritise capital investment opportunities and sponsor major programmes from an asset owner perspective.
- Ensure robust asset data, information strategy, and assurance processes.
- Drive regulatory engagement, providing evidence-based submissions and ensuring compliance with all statutory obligations (including dam safety).
- Deliver clear and actionable commercial insights, reporting, and performance tracking.
- Lead and develop a high-performing, multi-disciplinary asset management team.
- Foster a strong culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
What we're looking for:
You are a strategic and experienced leader with a passion for asset excellence and delivering long-term value. You'll bring:
- A proven track record of developing and implementing asset strategies and investment plans.
- Strong experience managing large, complex asset portfolios.
- Expertise in asset risk, health, and lifecycle management.
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and driving organisational performance.
- Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance.
- A passion for building high-performing teams and driving cultural change.
Qualifications:
- Degree in Engineering, Asset Management, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
- Professional accreditation (e.g., IAM, ICE, CIWEM) - desirable.
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: 29th May 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
Water Asset Director in Devon, Plymouth employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a commitment to employee growth, our hybrid working model in Exeter allows for flexibility while providing access to extensive benefits such as private healthcare, generous annual leave, and professional development opportunities. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the environment and your career as we work towards a sustainable future together.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Water Asset Director in Devon, Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the water sector, especially those at South West Water. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company's values and recent projects. Show us how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around sustainability and asset management.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you note. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at South West Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Water Asset Director in Devon, Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for water asset management shine through. We want to see your passion for sustainability and how you can contribute to our mission of a greener future.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in managing complex asset portfolios. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your strategic thinking and leadership skills, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Know Your Assets
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the water asset management strategies and policies relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with South West Water's current projects and how they align with sustainability goals. This will show your genuine interest and help you articulate how your experience can contribute.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of how you've led multi-disciplinary teams in the past. Highlight your ability to drive performance and cultural change, as this is crucial for the Water Asset Director role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Understand Regulatory Frameworks
Brush up on the regulatory frameworks that govern the water sector, especially those related to asset management and compliance. Be ready to discuss how you've navigated these in previous roles and how you would approach regulatory engagement at South West Water.
✨Emphasise Innovation and Collaboration
Think about instances where you've fostered a culture of innovation and collaboration within your teams. Prepare to discuss how you can bring this mindset to South West Water, particularly in driving continuous improvement and optimising asset performance.
