At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the charge in measuring and realising benefits from automation and process improvements.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a forward-thinking company transforming the water industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £62,000, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team driving meaningful change in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of benefit realisation and make a real impact on sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in benefit realisation or financial analysis, with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 62000 - 62000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid working between our head office in Durrington (Worthing) 2 days pw, and home.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday
Salary: Starting salary of up to £62,000, commensurate to skills and experience.
About the role
Water underpins everyday life, yet it remains an industry that is still evolving in how it measures and realises value from transformation, data and automation. At Southern Water, that is changing. We are building a new Process & Intelligent Automation capability at the heart of the organisation. This is not about incremental improvements, it is about ensuring every investment in automation, AI and process optimisation delivers clear, measurable and sustained value for the business, our customers and regulators. As Benefit Realisation Lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping that future. This is a strategic leadership role within a growing capability, giving you the opportunity to define how benefits are identified, measured, governed and realised across a complex transformation portfolio. You will own the integrity of benefit insight, ensuring that all value delivered is transparent, evidence‐based and aligned to organisational priorities. Working closely with senior stakeholders across Finance, HR, Data and executive leadership, you will act as a trusted advisor, influencing investment decisions, shaping prioritisation and ensuring that transformation activity delivers meaningful outcomes. This role goes beyond reporting – it is about embedding a culture of value realisation and accountability at enterprise scale.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Defining and governing enterprise‐wide approaches to benefit realisation, including frameworks, standards and methodologies
- Leading the creation of benefit profiles, baselines and value hypotheses for automation, AI and process improvement initiatives
- Working with Finance and HR to define and validate financial and non‐financial benefits (e.g. cost savings, productivity, capacity release, customer outcomes, risk reduction)
- Owning and maintaining a central benefit realisation register, ensuring transparency of costs, benefits and investment cases across the portfolio
- Monitoring, tracking and validating benefits through data analysis, KPI frameworks and stakeholder engagement
- Ensuring benefits are robust, auditable and aligned to budgets, workforce planning and organisational priorities
- Producing high‐quality dashboards, reports and insight packs for ExCo, programme boards and senior leadership forums
- Presenting clear, structured insight on realised value, risks, variances and opportunities to inform decision‐making
- Providing strategic challenge on benefit assumptions, ensuring accuracy, consistency and avoidance of double counting
- Supporting prioritisation and investment decisions by providing evidence‐based insight into value delivery
- Driving continuous improvement in benefit measurement, governance and reporting practices
- Collaborating with Process, Automation and Data teams to ensure solutions include embedded measurement and tracking mechanisms
What you’ll bring to the role:
Essential
- Experience in benefit realisation, financial analysis, business analysis or transformation reporting roles
- Strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret financial, operational and performance data
- Experience developing business cases, benefit frameworks and value tracking approaches
- Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders across Finance, HR and operational teams
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex insights clearly to non‐technical audiences
- High attention to detail with a strong governance and assurance mindset
- Ability to challenge assumptions and ensure accuracy and credibility of reported benefits
Desirable
- Experience with Power BI, Excel or similar analytical and reporting tools
- Understanding of automation, AI and process optimisation value drivers
- Knowledge of financial modelling, Opex/Capex principles and workforce planning
- Relevant qualifications (e.g. ACCA part‐qualified, BCS Business Analysis, Lean Six Sigma)
- Experience in regulated or asset‐intensive environments
About Southern Water
Southern Water is delivering a generational transformation across the business, investing significantly to improve resilience, sustainability and customer outcomes. You will be joining at a time of real change, as part of a new capability that sits at the core of how the organisation evolves. This is a unique opportunity to define the foundations of process architecture in a business that is actively transforming how it operates. We offer an environment where you will have real ownership, visibility and impact, working alongside senior stakeholders to shape strategic direction and deliver meaningful change. Our mission is to protect and enhance life through water – and this role will directly contribute to how we achieve that.
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.
Benefit Realisation Lead in Worthing employer: Southern Water group
Southern Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and strategic leadership in the water industry. With a hybrid working model based in Worthing, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that prioritises personal growth and impactful contributions to sustainability and customer outcomes. Join us to be part of a transformative journey where your insights will shape the future of water management and create lasting value for our communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Benefit Realisation Lead in Worthing
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Southern Water group!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Benefit Realisation Lead position at Southern Water group via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Benefit Realisation Lead in Worthing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Southern Water group.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Southern Water group’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water group
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Southern Water group. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Southern Water group. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Southern Water group.
