At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead risk management for major water infrastructure projects and ensure proactive risk assessment.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, annual bonus, healthcare benefits, and professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Influence critical water resource solutions and shape best practices in risk management.
- Qualifications: Experience in risk management for large-scale infrastructure projects and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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.
South West Water is delivering one of the most ambitious infrastructure programmes in the UK - our £4bn+ Strategic Resource Options (SRO) programme. We are seeking a Risk Manager to play a pivotal role at the heart of this transformation. This is an opportunity to influence major infrastructure delivery, support critical decision-making, and help ensure long-term resilience of water resources for customers and communities.
The Role
As Risk Manager, you will lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the programme-wide risk management framework across a diverse portfolio of major water infrastructure projects. You will work across reservoirs, transfer pipelines, water recycling, treatment infrastructure and enabling works, ensuring risks are proactively identified, assessed and managed throughout the programme lifecycle. You will collaborate with programme teams, delivery partners, consultants and senior stakeholders to embed a strong, proactive risk culture and deliver robust insight to support decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and embed a programme-wide risk management framework across the SRO portfolio
- Establish consistent risk standards, governance and reporting processes
- Ensure risk processes are consistent with the Pennon risk management approach
- Regular liaison with the central risk team
- Identify, assess and manage strategic and project risks
- Facilitate risk workshops and scenario planning with key stakeholders
- Maintain risk registers, dashboards and insightful reporting for senior leadership
- Monitor emerging risks impacting cost, schedule and delivery
- Provide clear analysis of risk trends, exposure and mitigation effectiveness
- Support assurance activities, audits and regulatory submissions
- Integrate risk management with programme controls, planning and forecasting
- Contribute to quantitative risk analysis (cost and schedule)
- Build strong relationships across teams, partners and stakeholders
- Promote a proactive, transparent risk management culture
- Coach and support teams to strengthen risk capability
About You
Essential
- Significant experience in risk management within major infrastructure or capital delivery environments
- Experience working on complex, large-scale programmes (utilities, water, energy, transport or construction)
- Strong understanding of risk management methodologies across enterprise, programme and project levels
- Experience facilitating risk workshops and engaging with senior stakeholders
- Ability to communicate complex risk information clearly to senior leadership
Desirable
- Degree in Risk Management, Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management or related discipline
- APM Risk Certificate (or equivalent)
- PRINCE2 Practitioner, MSP or similar programme management qualification
- Experience with programme controls systems and risk management software
- Knowledge of quantitative risk analysis techniques (e.g. Monte Carlo)
- Experience in major project delivery and regulated environments
Why Join South West Water
- Be part of a nationally significant infrastructure programme
- Influence delivery of critical water resource solutions
- Work in a collaborative, multi-stakeholder environment
- Shape and embed best practice risk management at programme scale
- Gain exposure to complex regulatory, commercial and delivery challenges
What's in it for you?
- Competitive Salary - Based on experience and expertise
- Company Car or Car Allowance - Supporting your role
- Annual Bonus Scheme - Rewarding performance
- Pension Scheme - Helping you plan for your future
- Healthcare Benefits - Including private healthcare and wellbeing support
- Professional Development - Ongoing training and career progression
- Employee Discounts - Across a range of services
- Generous Annual Leave - Supporting your work-life balance
Closing Date: Thursday 9th July 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.
SRO Risk Manager in Plymouth employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative work culture that empowers our employees to influence critical water resource solutions. With competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits including healthcare and professional development opportunities, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we create an environment where you can thrive while contributing to one of the UK's most ambitious infrastructure programmes. Join us in shaping a greener future in the stunning landscapes of Exeter or Bristol.
