At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead stakeholder engagement and build impactful relationships across various sectors.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in transforming the UK's water industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holidays, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in community engagement and influence strategic decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience in stakeholder engagement and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid working between our Durrington office and home.
Contract Type: 6 month FTC
Hours: 22.5 hours per week, including Mondays and Fridays but otherwise flexible across the week.
Salary: Commensurate to skills and experience
About the role
We’re looking for a Stakeholder Engagement Manager to join our team on a 6 month fixed term contract. This role is intentionally broad in scope and designed to focus on high-impact, high-value engagement activity across the business. You’ll bring experience and judgement to identify where stakeholder engagement can make the biggest difference, whether that’s supporting priority programmes, strengthening key relationships, or helping shape how we engage more effectively as an organisation.
You’ll work across a wide range of internal teams and external stakeholders, acting as a trusted partner and connector. From local authorities and regulators to community groups and senior leaders, you’ll help ensure our plans are understood, our relationships are strong, and opportunities for collaboration are maximised. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, thrives in a fast-moving environment, and wants to influence meaningful outcomes without being constrained to a narrow remit.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Leading and shaping stakeholder engagement activity in priority areas, focusing on where you can add the most value
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with key external stakeholders, including local authorities, regulators, and community groups
- Acting as a bridge between external stakeholders and internal teams, bringing insight into decision-making and helping shape business priorities
- Identifying emerging issues, risks, and opportunities across the external landscape and ensuring these are understood internally
- Supporting and advising colleagues across the business to improve how they engage with stakeholders at all levels
- Contributing to engagement plans, briefings, and activity aligned to business priorities and key programmes
- Enabling effective engagement around our plans, performance, and investment activity, gathering insight to inform future decisions
What you’ll bring to the role:
Essential
- Strong experience in stakeholder engagement, public affairs, or a related field
- Proven ability to build credible relationships with senior stakeholders internally and externally
- Strong influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge and guide at a senior level
- Ability to work across a broad and changing agenda, identifying priorities and focusing on impact
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Desirable
- Experience working with local government, regulators, or NGOs
- Experience operating in a complex, regulated or infrastructure environment
- Experience delivering projects or programmes involving multiple stakeholders
- Understanding of the policy or political landscape relevant to utilities or public services
About Southern Water
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. Our mission is to protect and enhance life through water and we need passionate people to help us achieve it. If you’re inspired by our purpose and believe you can contribute, apply today. You don’t need to meet every criterion; what matters most is your drive to make a difference.
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.
Interested in the role?
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
- Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary
- Health benefits through a Cash Plan
- Two paid community volunteering days a year
- 28 days annual holiday
- Occupational health service
- Retail discount app
- We offer competitive maternity leave, and flexible return to work options
Everybody Welcome
We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to facilitate your participation in the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Need flexibility in your work?
Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?
Stakeholder Engagement Manager in Worthing employer: Southern Water group
Southern Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a meaningful impact on the future of water services in the UK. With a commitment to employee growth, generous benefits including a performance-related bonus, flexible working arrangements, and a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, you'll thrive in a culture that values your contributions and supports your professional development. Join us in Worthing and be part of a team dedicated to transforming the water industry while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Stakeholder Engagement Manager in Worthing
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or attend local events related to stakeholder engagement. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its stakeholders thoroughly. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs and how you can add value to their engagement strategies.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your soft skills! In stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship-building are key. During interviews, share examples of how you've successfully navigated complex situations and built strong partnerships.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission at Southern Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Stakeholder Engagement Manager in Worthing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in stakeholder engagement and public affairs. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since excellent communication is key for this role, ensure your written application is clear and concise. Use engaging language that reflects your personality while keeping it professional – we love a bit of flair!
Highlight Your Relationship-Building Experience:We’re looking for someone who can build strong relationships with various stakeholders. Share specific examples of how you’ve successfully engaged with senior stakeholders or community groups in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water group
✨Know Your Stakeholders
Before the interview, research Southern Water and its key stakeholders. Understand their priorities and challenges, especially in relation to water services. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show how you can add value in stakeholder engagement.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Stakeholder Engagement Manager, strong communication is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with various stakeholders in the past. Be ready to discuss how you tailor your messaging for different audiences, whether they are local authorities or community groups.
✨Highlight Your Influencing Abilities
Think of specific instances where you've successfully influenced decisions or outcomes at a senior level. Be prepared to share these stories during the interview, as this role requires someone who can challenge and guide effectively.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
This role involves working across a broad and changing agenda. Share examples of how you've adapted to shifting priorities in previous roles. Highlight your ability to identify what’s most important and focus on impactful actions, which is key for success in this position.
