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- Tasks: Drive operational and financial improvements in the Wastewater directorate through data analysis and governance.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in transforming Britain's water industry.
- Benefits: Up to ÂŁ54,000 salary, generous pension, health benefits, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with opportunities for personal growth and meaningful contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability and service excellence in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, experience in governance, and excellent communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 54000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Falmer or Durrington base (Hybrid: 2 days office / 3 days remote/ occasional site visits required) – a valid driving licence is essential.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37
Salary: Up to ÂŁ54,000 per annum depending on experience
About the role
We’re looking for a Performance & Efficiency Lead to help drive operational, environmental and financial improvements across the Wastewater directorate. You’ll be part of the team responsible for delivering the Operational CAPEX Programme, working closely with Operational, Engineering, Finance, Commercial and Assurance teams to enhance performance, strengthen governance, and ensure compliant investment decisions.
What you will be responsible for:
- You will analyse performance data, lead governance for investment approvals, support forecasting and reporting processes, and translate complex insights into clear, actionable recommendations that drive efficiency and compliance.
- You’ll leverage your analytical and investigative skills to transform Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), root-cause analyses, and trend data into actionable insights—proactively identifying emerging issues and escalating potential risks.
- Reporting to the Operational CAPEX Programme Manager, you will support operational and project teams through monthly forecasting, variance analysis, and performance reporting, providing accurate and timely inputs into performance reviews and forward-looking financial forecasts.
Key responsibilities
- Capturing, analysing and interpreting data to identify trends, risks and efficiency opportunities across programmes of work.
- Owning and leading the governance framework for reactive investment approvals, ensuring clarity, consistency and compliance.
- Delivering regular performance reports for the Wastewater Leadership Team, highlighting risks, insights and mitigation plans.
- Facilitating engagement across operational teams through meetings, workshops, site visits and performance updates.
- Supporting monthly forecasting, variance analysis and performance reporting for operational and project teams.
- Partnering with programme sponsors and risk specialists to shape each stage of the Operational CAPEX Programme.
- Challenging and supporting decision‑makers across Operations, Engineering, Finance, Commercial and Assurance.
What you’ll bring to the role:
Essential:
- Strong understanding of governance processes, policy interpretation and compliance frameworks.
- Experience in reactive maintenance governance, rapid approvals and ensuring audit‑ready documentation.
- Excellent numerical and analytical skills, with proficiency in MS Excel and data visualisation.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels.
- Experience conducting root‑cause analysis and transforming data into actionable insights.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of wastewater assets and operational processes.
- Field, operational or technical experience within utilities or engineering.
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.
If this role excites you and you believe you can make an impact, we want to hear from you! Skills can be learned—passion, drive, and fresh perspectives are what truly set candidates apart. Don’t hesitate—take the leap and apply!
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.
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
Performance And Efficiency Lead employer: Southern Water group
Contact Detail:
Southern Water group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Performance And Efficiency Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Tailor your answers to show how your skills align with their goals, especially around performance and efficiency. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online resources to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Performance And Efficiency Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with governance processes and analytical skills. We want to see how your background aligns with the Performance & Efficiency Lead role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, be sure to include specific examples of how you've used your numerical and analytical skills in past roles. We love seeing how you’ve transformed data into actionable insights—so let us know about those successes!
Communicate Clearly: Strong communication is key for this position. When writing your application, aim for clarity and conciseness. Use straightforward language to explain your experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people! Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Southern Water. Don’t miss out—apply today!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Performance & Efficiency Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical skills. Brush up on your numerical and analytical abilities, especially with MS Excel. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to identify trends and drive efficiency in previous roles.
✨Master the Governance Framework
Understanding governance processes is crucial for this role. Familiarise yourself with compliance frameworks and be ready to explain how you've ensured clarity and consistency in past projects. Think of examples where you’ve led investment approvals or managed audit-ready documentation.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are key. Practice articulating complex insights in a clear and concise manner. Prepare to share instances where you've influenced decision-makers or collaborated across teams, as this will showcase your ability to engage with various stakeholders.
✨Show Your Passion for Improvement
Southern Water values passion and fresh perspectives. Be ready to discuss what excites you about driving operational improvements in the wastewater sector. Share your ideas on how you can contribute to their vision of transforming water services and enhancing sustainability.