At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a £3.2bn capital investment programme for water infrastructure.
- Company: Join South West Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: 30 days leave, private healthcare, competitive pension, and development opportunities.
- Other info: Diversity is our strength; we celebrate uniqueness and foster an inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of water services while making a real impact on communities.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in large-scale capital programmes and regulated environments.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. Please ensure you read the below overview and requirements for this employment opportunity completely.
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.
We are looking for an exceptional Capital Director to lead the strategic delivery of a £3.2bn capital investment programme (2025-2030), driving the future of water and wastewater infrastructure. This is a critical executive leadership role, reporting to the Chief Asset Officer you will be responsible for ensuring our capital portfolio delivers safe, compliant, resilient, and affordable services for customers while meeting ambitious regulatory, environmental, and operational outcomes for AMP8 and beyond. You'll provide oversight of major programmes and champion best-in-class project, programme, and portfolio management across the organisation.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead Capital Programme Delivery
- Oversee a complex portfolio of major capital programmes (c. £750m per annum)
- Ensure delivery against cost, schedule, quality, and performance targets
- Drive excellence in health & safety, environmental compliance, and sustainability
- Governance & Assurance
- Chair key governance forums and ensure robust control frameworks
- Maintain regulatory, audit, and assurance readiness across all programmes
- Commercial & Supply Chain Strategy
- Define and deliver commercial strategies, including alliancing and delivery models
- Build high-performing, collaborative partner ecosystems
- Ensure strong risk management and value for money
- Regulatory & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a senior interface with regulators, including Ofwat
- Support business planning and price review processes
- Build trusted relationships with stakeholders, partners, and communities
- Leadership & Culture
- Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams
- Build capability across programme delivery, digital, and carbon management
- Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, safety, and continuous improvement
What we're looking for:
- Extensive senior leadership experience delivering large-scale capital programmes
- Background in regulated infrastructure environments (e.g., water, utilities, transport, or energy)
- Strong knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks, asset management, and governance
- Proven track record in driving performance, efficiency, and innovation
- Experience working with complex stakeholder landscapes
Qualifications:
- Degree in Engineering, Asset Management, Business Planning, or a related discipline
- Professional accreditation (e.g., IAM, ICE, CIWEM) is 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: 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.
Capital Director in Plymouth employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that champions sustainability and innovation in the water sector. With a commitment to employee growth through extensive training opportunities and a supportive environment, our team is empowered to make a meaningful impact while enjoying competitive benefits such as private healthcare, generous leave, and a share-save scheme. Join us in shaping the future of water infrastructure amidst the stunning landscapes of the South West, where your contributions will be valued and celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Capital Director in Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at South West Water on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into their projects and values. Show us that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about their mission of sustainability and community engagement.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your past experiences leading teams and managing large-scale projects. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills and achievements.
✨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 us you’re serious about joining the team and making a splash in the water sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Capital Director in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Capital Director role. Highlight your leadership experience in delivering large-scale capital programmes and any relevant qualifications you have.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the water sector and how your background makes you the perfect fit for driving our ambitious capital investment programme.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills:In your application, emphasise your experience working with complex stakeholder landscapes. We want to see how you've built trusted relationships and navigated regulatory environments in your previous roles.
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 and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Capital Director, you'll be dealing with significant financial figures. Brush up on the specifics of the £3.2bn capital investment programme and the £750m annual portfolio. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure delivery against cost, schedule, and performance targets.
✨Understand Regulatory Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with UK regulatory frameworks relevant to water and utilities. Be prepared to discuss your experience with regulators like Ofwat and how you've navigated complex stakeholder landscapes in previous roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership capabilities. Think of examples where you've led multidisciplinary teams and fostered a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Be ready to share how you inspire and build capability within your teams.
✨Align with Company Values
South West Water values trust, individuality, and progress. Reflect on how your personal values align with theirs. Prepare to discuss how you can contribute to building a culture of belonging and diversity within the organisation.
