Environmental Compliance Manager

Location: Worthing

Time Type: Full time

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37, Monday to Friday

Salary: £58-60,000 (depending on skills and experience)

There has never been a more important time to join Southern Water. As we continue through AMP8, we are delivering one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes in the industry, focused on improving environmental performance, service resilience and long‐term affordability for customers.

About the role

To lead the Environmental Compliance Team in strengthening Southern Water’s ability to proactively manage environmental compliance risks. Supporting wider second line regulatory assurance activity on wastewater operations; ensuring compliance risks are identified & owned, adequate controls in place and issues appropriately communicated within the business.

What you will be responsible for:

• Lead and develop the Environmental Compliance team ensuring appropriate resources, clear objectives and high performance.
• Provide sound judgment in identifying and characterising environmental compliance risks within the business.
• Provide business wide visibility on the overall environmental compliance risk landscape; feeding into existing governance risk forums and internal reporting mechanisms, developing routes of communication where gaps are identified.
• Set the standard for environmental regulatory compliance assurance within the business.
• Take ownership for leading engagement with internal stakeholders and senior leadership to drive resolution of systemic compliance risk.

What you’ll bring to the role:

• In-depth understanding of UK Water Industry wastewater regulatory & compliance frameworks.
• Experience of compliance or assurance functions in a regulated environment.
• Practical experience of working in, or in collaboration with operational teams.
• Practical experience of performance management and root cause analysis.
• Clear understanding of risk management and escalation processes.
• Practical experience of delivering business process improvement.

Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.

You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation.

At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need.

If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Additional information

In line with Southern Water’s security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years. Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all pre-employment checks, including security vetting. Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so if you are interested in the position please do send your application over today to ensure consideration. We truly appreciate every application. Please note, that due to the volume of interest, we may not be able to provide personalised feedback to all applicants.

Our Benefits

• Company and performance-related bonus
• Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution
• Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary
• Health benefits through a Cash Plan
• Two paid community volunteering days a year
• 25 days annual holiday
• Occupational health service
• Retail discount app
• We offer competitive maternity leave, and flexible return to work options