At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise sewer networks in Kent, ensuring top performance and compliance.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a forward-thinking company committed to excellence.
- Benefits: Up to £52k salary, company car, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership and operational management experience; utilities background preferred.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 52000 £ per year.
Hours: 37
Salary: Up to £52k depending on skills and experience
Company Car Included: Yes
Location: Ashford, Kent
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 2026-07-17
About the role
As a Network Manager, you will be responsible for the productivity and performance of sewer networks in Kent, maintaining service standards to ensure that we meet our strategic targets, regulatory compliance and leading a team of sewer network engineers.
Key Responsibilities
- Accountable for network performance within the Kent area, managing operational risk and ensuring that the right capital and operating expenditure plans are in place.
- Managing the OPEX budget for your area and coaching and mentoring your team with a focus on employee engagement to deliver performance at least cost.
- Ensuring that right controls are in place for value, safety, compliance and service risk.
- To balance demands and expectations of team, people, resources, compliance, efficiency, quality of the asset and demands from other parts of the business in identifying solutions to problems.
- Working with service provider equivalents (Lanes – O&M, CBUL – Civils & McAllister – Lining) to ensure efficient delivery of operations.
- Building relationships across Southern Water to ensure that business units work in a coordinated fashion.
- Providing out of hours advice and support to manage incident response when required.
- Taking accountability of reactive issues within geographical area such as burst rising mains, ensuring contingency plans are implemented and monitored until issue is resolved.
- Ensuring effective controls are in place to identify, manage and mitigate risks, including regulatory compliance, financial compliance, service delivery, health and safety, and contingency and infiltration reduction plans.
Qualifications and Experience
To be successful in this role, you should have strong leadership skills and experience in pursuing Operational Excellence standards. It is highly advantageous if you have a degree or relevant qualification and have worked within the utilities industry. However, we welcome applicants from an operational management background who have the passion to make a difference. You will need to be able to analyse management information to understand trends and identify problems with good financial acumen.
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. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.
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.
Network Manager in Ashford employer: Southern Water
Southern Water is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises environmental sustainability and compliance. With a focus on employee growth, the company provides opportunities for professional development in the utilities sector, all while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model. Join us in making a meaningful impact on water management and environmental protection in a supportive and innovative environment.
