At a Glance
- Tasks: Support delivery of engineering projects and coordinate teams in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, health benefits, training opportunities, and a competitive pension.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience while contributing to vital projects that impact communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in construction or water industry, strong organisational skills, and a proactive attitude.
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.
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.
Are you an organised and proactive individual looking to build your career in project management? We are seeking an Assistant Project Manager to join our busy engineering team, supporting the delivery of a high volume of planned and reactive projects across the construction and water sectors.
About the role
This is a field-based role requiring regular travel, working in a fast-paced environment where priorities can shift quickly. It offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience supporting the delivery of critical works - often to tight timescales - while developing your skills across a broad range of technical disciplines and real-world project challenges. If you are detail-oriented, eager to learn, and enjoy problem-solving in a dynamic environment, we would be delighted to hear from you.
What you'll be doing:
- Supporting the delivery of multiple fast-turnaround engineering projects
- Assisting with coordination of teams, contractors, and stakeholders to keep projects on track
- Helping to monitor project timelines, costs, and quality standards
- Supporting mobilisation of works, including temporary solutions where required
- Tracking progress and escalating potential issues to ensure timely resolution
- Assisting with reactive and emergency works, including occasional out-of-hours support
- Supporting cost tracking and ensuring projects remain aligned with budgets
- Helping to ensure smooth handover to operations and completion of project documentation
- Promoting and adhering to health & safety compliance across all activities
What we are looking for:
Essential
- Experience within the construction and/or water industry (including placements or entry-level roles)
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Excellent communication skills with a proactive, can-do attitude
- Ability to support multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
- Problem-solving mindset with attention to detail
- Basic understanding of health and safety requirements
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites
- Flexibility to support reactive or emergency work when required
Desirable
- Exposure to project coordination or project management activities
- Experience supporting budgets or cost tracking
- Relevant qualification (e.g. degree, HNC/HND, or working towards APM/Prince2)
- Technical Knowledge (one or more of the following): Mechanical or Electrical systems, Instrumentation, Control and Automation, Civil Engineering, Process or scientific systems, Clean or wastewater site operations
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:
- Generous holiday allowance + bank holidays
- Discretionary bonus
- 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: 10th 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 Project Manager Engineering (Reactive & Planned Works) in Exeter employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can thrive as an Assistant Project Manager in the engineering sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous benefits, and a culture that values diversity and inclusion, you'll have the opportunity to grow your career while contributing to meaningful projects that support a sustainable future in one of the UK's most beautiful regions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Project Manager Engineering (Reactive & Planned Works) in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research South West Water's projects, values, and recent news. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to project management and the water sector. Think about how your skills align with the role and be ready to share examples of your problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team and ready to make a splash in your career!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Project Manager Engineering (Reactive & Planned Works) in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Organisational Skills:Make sure to highlight your organisational and time management skills in your application. We want to see how you can juggle multiple projects and keep everything on track, especially in a fast-paced environment like ours.
Tailor Your Experience:When writing your application, tailor it to reflect your experience in the construction or water industry. Even if it's just placements or entry-level roles, we want to know how your background aligns with what we're looking for.
Be Proactive and Problem-Solving:We love a proactive attitude! In your application, share examples of how you've tackled challenges or solved problems in previous roles. This will show us that you're ready to take on the dynamic environment we work in.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Know Your Projects
Before the interview, research South West Water and their recent projects. Familiarise yourself with their approach to engineering and how they manage both planned and reactive works. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect your experience to their needs.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As an Assistant Project Manager, you'll need to juggle multiple tasks. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed time and resources. Highlight any tools or methods you used to keep everything on track, as this will demonstrate your proactive attitude.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. During the interview, be ready to discuss how you've coordinated with teams or stakeholders in the past, and how you handle challenges that require effective communication.
✨Emphasise Problem-Solving Abilities
The job description mentions a problem-solving mindset. Think of specific instances where you've encountered challenges and how you resolved them. Be prepared to discuss your thought process and the steps you took to ensure successful outcomes, especially in fast-paced environments.
