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 supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife. Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career. Ready to make a splash? Join our team today. Location: Exeter (Peninsula House) Department: Operations Shift Pattern: 24/7 rota About the role We’re looking for a confident and resilient SSC Duty Manager to join our Service and Support Centre team. This is a critical role at the heart of our operational response, responsible for managing incidents and ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of drinking water and wastewater services. As the senior manager on duty outside of normal office hours, you’ll lead real-time operations, coordinate resources, and make key decisions to protect customers, the environment, and service performance. What you’ll be doing: Leading the response to operational incidents across water and wastewater services Coordinating teams and resources to resolve issues safely, quickly, and effectively Acting as the senior decision-maker on shift in a 24/7 operation Monitoring operational performance and proactively managing risks and disruptions Prioritising incidents based on business impact and customer needs Liaising with internal teams, external partners, and emergency services Keeping stakeholders and customers informed during incidents Supporting the development of incident management processes and contingency plans Leading, motivating, and supporting shift teams to deliver high performance What we’re looking for: We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and can bring strong leadership and decision-making skills. Strong leadership capability with the ability to influence at all levels Proven experience managing incidents or working in a 24/7 operational environment Excellent communication skills, able to convey complex information clearly Strong problem-solving ability and sound judgement under pressure Ability to analyse complex information and make informed operational decisions Highly resilient, adaptable, and results-focused Full UK Driving License Desirable Experience working within a regulated industry (e.g. water, utilities, infrastructure) Knowledge of water or wastewater operations (or similar technical environments) Understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements Qualification in emergency planning, business continuity, or health safety (e.g. IOSH/NEBOSH) 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: 26th 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 everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way. Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
