SRO Land & CPO lead

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 include lowering our carbon footprint and partnering 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.

Role Overview

South West Water is seeking an experienced Land & CPO Lead to play a critical senior role in delivering a major infrastructure programme within the Strategic Resource Options (SRO) Programme, including the Cheddar 2 project.

This role will provide technical, strategic and delivery leadership across all land, property, statutory powers and compulsory purchase activities.

The successful candidate will ensure excellent stakeholder communication and engagement, whilst securing the timely acquisition of land and rights required to support project delivery from early engagement through to consent implementation and construction.

We are seeking a proactive and commercially minded professional who will take ownership, understand what the business is seeking to achieve, and drive delivery accordingly.

You will act as the focal point for all land and compulsory purchase matters, providing confidence to senior stakeholders that land risks, opportunities and dependencies are understood, managed and mitigated.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise with a delivery‑focused mindset, leading consultants and advisers, overcoming barriers to progress and ensuring land and property activities are aligned with programme objectives, budgets and milestones.

Key Responsibilities

• Take the lead in shaping and delivering the land and property strategy for a major infrastructure programme.
• Develop, maintain and deliver a clear land acquisition and CPO strategy aligned to project and business objectives.
• Play a key role in securing land and rights from a wide and varied landowner base, balancing business needs with the interests of our stakeholders and making a tangible impact on project success.
• Use your expertise to select and apply the most effective land acquisition approaches, from negotiation through to compulsory purchase.
• Take ownership of the land and property workstream, ensuring delivery against programme milestones and strategic objectives.
• Act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders and project teams, influencing key decisions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead and collaborate with specialist consultants and advisers, driving performance and ensuring high‑quality, joined‑up delivery against programme requirements.
• Oversee the preparation and delivery of the Compulsory Purchase Order, helping bring a nationally significant project forward.
• Take ownership of land and property budgets, cost forecasts and financial performance.
• Identify, manage and proactively remove barriers to progress, ensuring issues are resolved efficiently and effectively.
• Identify and manage risks proactively, ensuring smooth and compliant delivery.
• Build strong, lasting relationships with landowners, partners and regulators, whilst protecting and enhancing business reputation.
• Ensure land acquisition and CPO activities are delivered in line with programme requirements, governance processes and key milestones.
• Contribute to key reporting and approvals, helping shape decisions at programme and board level.
• Provide assurance to senior stakeholders that land‑related risks and opportunities are effectively managed and mitigated.

Essential Skills and Experience

• BSc (Hons) degree in Land, Property, Rural Estate Management, Agriculture, or a related discipline.
• MRICS or FRICS qualification.
• Strong experience leading land purchase and CPO for complex major infrastructure projects.

• In‑depth knowledge of

• Compulsory Purchase legislation and the Compensation Code.
• Statutory powers and relevant legislation.
• Planning and consenting processes.
• Proven experience in land acquisition, valuation and negotiation.
• Experience managing consultants, budgets and delivery programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation capability.
• Ability to manage complex risks, governance and assurance processes.
• The successful candidate must hold a full, clean UK driving licence.

Desirable

• CAAV membership.
• Key Competencies
• Self‑motivated, highly driven and able to work with a high degree of autonomy.
• Strong ownership mentality with a proven track record of delivering complex programmes and achieving outcomes.
• A proactive, solution‑focused approach and strong “can‑do” attitude.
• Ability to understand strategic business objectives and ensure land and property activities support successful programme delivery.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Experience managing and directing consultants and advisers to achieve programme objectives and timelines.
• Excellent negotiation skills, including handling complex and contentious matters.
• Ability to identify practical solutions, overcome challenges and remove barriers to progress.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Clear and confident communication of complex technical issues.
• Strong technical expertise combined with commercial awareness and programme delivery focus.
• Ability to operate effectively within a multi‑disciplinary delivery environment.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive Salary – Based on experience and skills.
• Company car or car allowance – Options to support your role.
• Annual Bonus Scheme – Rewarding your performance.
• Pension Scheme – Helping you plan for your future.
• Healthcare Benefits – Access to private healthcare and employee assistance programmes.
• Professional Development – Support for career growth with training opportunities.
• Employee Discounts – On various products and services.
• Generous Annual Leave – Take time to recharge with our holiday entitlement.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Mandatory DBS check will be required as part of the onboarding process.

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