At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate and deliver innovative projects tackling environmental challenges.
- Company: Join South West Water, part of the Pennon Group, committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, flexible working, and healthcare benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a unique industry-academic partnership and engage with senior leaders.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water innovation and sustainability while building your career.
- Qualifications: Degree-qualified or equivalent experience with strong organisational and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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.
Are you passionate about innovation, sustainability and real-world impact? Join us at South West Water as an Assistant Programme Manager supporting the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW) - a pioneering partnership with the University of Exeter. Together, we're tackling some of the biggest environmental challenges of our time, from achieving Net Zero by 2030 to advancing AI, data science and nature-based solutions in water and wastewater management.
The Role: As Assistant Programme Manager, you'll play a key role in coordinating and delivering cutting-edge research and innovation projects. Working alongside the Programme Manager and CREWW Director, you'll help ensure projects are well-planned, well-governed and successfully delivered. You'll also contribute to the wider Pennon innovation agenda, gaining exposure to the Pennon Innovation & Commercialisation Committee (PICC) and helping shape future opportunities across the Group.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Drive collaboration: Build strong relationships across South West Water, the University of Exeter, and external stakeholders.
- Track delivery: Monitor project timelines, risks and progress, ensuring milestones are achieved.
- Support decision-making: Analyse data, evaluate performance and provide insightful updates to stakeholders.
- Enable innovation: Help develop new projects, define scope and support delivery pathways.
- Make an impact locally: Engage with community groups, charitable initiatives and regional stakeholders.
- Contribute broadly: Support wider Pennon Group programmes, including social mobility initiatives.
What We're Looking For:
- Degree-qualified or equivalent experience.
- Experience in a fast-paced delivery or coordination role.
- Strong organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and make recommendations.
- Some knowledge or interest in project management or innovation (desirable).
- Excellent communication skills, able to engage confidently with senior stakeholders.
- A proactive, detail-oriented approach with strong time management skills.
Why Join Us?
- Work on sector-leading research and innovation.
- Be part of a unique industry-academic partnership.
- Gain exposure to strategic programmes and senior leaders.
- Help deliver solutions that benefit customers, communities and the environment.
- Build a career at the forefront of sustainability and resilience.
Our Values: At South West Water, we are committed to doing the right thing for our customers and communities, driving innovation and continuous improvement, and supporting a culture of collaboration and inclusion.
What you'll get: Join us and help deliver a reliable, high-quality service for our customers across the South West. We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our Assistant Programme 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: 19th 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.
Assistant Programme Manager in Exeter employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and sustainability. Located in the picturesque Exeter HQ, our team enjoys competitive salaries, flexible working options, and a strong commitment to employee growth through exposure to strategic programmes and senior leaders. Join us to make a meaningful impact on the environment while building a rewarding career in a culture that values collaboration, diversity, and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Programme Manager in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at South West Water or the University of Exeter on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Assistant Programme Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching recent projects and initiatives at South West Water. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to our mission of sustainability and innovation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to engage confidently with senior stakeholders, so consider doing mock interviews with friends or family to refine your pitch and responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and making a splash in the water sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Programme Manager in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Sustainability:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for sustainability and innovation shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission at South West Water, so share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to making a positive impact.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Assistant Programme Manager role. Highlight your organisational skills and any experience in project management or coordination. We love seeing how your unique background can contribute to our goals!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and potential fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly. Plus, you’ll find all the information you need about the role and our company there.
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into South West Water's mission and values. Understand their commitment to sustainability and innovation, especially in relation to the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW). This will help you align your answers with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your organisational and analytical skills. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed projects or coordinated teams. Highlight how you’ve used data to make decisions or improve processes, as this is crucial for the Assistant Programme Manager role.
✨Engage with Enthusiasm
During the interview, demonstrate your passion for collaboration and community engagement. Talk about any relevant experiences where you've worked with diverse stakeholders or contributed to community initiatives. This will resonate well with their focus on building strong relationships and making a local impact.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the specific projects you might be involved in or how the team measures success in their initiatives. This shows that you're not only interested in the role but also eager to contribute to their innovative agenda.
