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- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver critical wastewater engineering projects and ensure compliance.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a progressive employer committed to sustainability and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, bonuses, private medical insurance, and generous holiday.
- Why this job: Shape the future of wastewater management while making a positive impact on communities.
- Qualifications: Seeking a strategic leader with experience in infrastructure delivery and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for mentorship and professional development in a transformative environment.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.
This job is with Southern Water, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
Closing Date: 2025-07-28
Location: We offer a hybrid approach to working with 2-3 days in the office and 2-3 days working from home each week. Base location can be any of our core regional offices: Chatham, Otterbourne, Worthing or Falmer. Occasionally travel to sites may be required.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday
Salary: We are offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience, alongside a £400 monthly car allowance and up to 10% bonus.
Job Overview: Due to an internal promotion, we are pleased to be recruiting for a Rising Main HIT Lead - a pivotal leadership role responsible for delivering one of our most critical engineering programmes. This role will oversee the performance, renewal, and resilience of our wastewater rising mains ensuring safe, reliable, and environmentally compliant wastewater transport across our network.
Reporting to the Head of Wastewater Networks, you will lead a team of 6 High Impact Team Project Engineers through all stages of delivery - from investigation and design to commissioning and long-term maintenance. They are based across our whole region.
Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Leading the delivery of a multi-million-pound annual portfolio of capital projects focused on rising mains renewals and performance optimisation.
- Managing multidisciplinary teams to ensure effective collaboration between engineering, operations, and external contractors.
- Driving proactive intervention strategies to extend asset life, reduce pollution incidents, and minimise reactive interventions.
- Supporting long-term planning, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and strategic service goals.
- Ensuring robust governance, performance reporting, financial forecasting, and regulatory compliance.
- Embedding a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
- Providing hands-on mentorship and leadership to develop a high-performing engineering team.
About You: We're looking for a strategic and technically strong leader with proven experience in infrastructure programme delivery - ideally in the water or utilities sector. You'll have experience managing complex capital programmes, leading high-performing teams, and collaborating across technical and operational functions. Your understanding of wastewater systems, regulatory frameworks, and asset management principles will be essential in driving long-term performance and resilience.
Qualifications and experience that would set you apart:
- Chartered Engineer status or equivalent.
- Experience delivering infrastructure or utility-based projects.
- Familiarity with NEC contracts and APM project methodologies.
- Strong understanding of H&S, environmental, and compliance standards.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to lead through influence, challenge constructively, and inspire continuous improvement.
Package: This role is offered full-time with hybrid working flexibility. Base location can be any of our key regional offices: Chatham, Otterbourne, Worthing or Falmer. We are offering a salary commensurate with experience plus:
- Company and performance-related bonus
- Single cover private medical insurance
- Generous pension scheme (up to 11% employer contribution)
- Life assurance - 4x annual salary
- Health benefits through our Cash Plan
- 25 days holiday per year
- Two paid community volunteering days per year
- Study support for job-relevant qualifications
- Flexible return-to-work options post-maternity
- Access to savings and discounts across many retailers
Why Southern Water? At Southern Water, we're investing £7.8bn from 2025-2030 to build a more resilient, environmentally sustainable water network. You'll be joining at a time of major transformation, with the opportunity to shape the future of wastewater performance in our region. We foster a culture of inclusion, innovation, and development. Whether you're looking to lead impactful change or take your career to the next level, Southern Water offers the platform and support to help you thrive. This isn't just a job - it's a chance to drive lasting impact on public health, the environment, and the communities we serve. Apply now and be part of a team leading change across the water industry.
Contact Detail:
Southern Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Rising Main HIT Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Southern Water's recent projects and initiatives, especially those related to wastewater management. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your understanding of their operations during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the water and utilities sector, particularly those who have experience with Southern Water. Engaging with current or former employees can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Rising Main HIT Lead role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed multidisciplinary teams in the past. Highlight specific examples where your strategic thinking led to improved project outcomes, as this aligns with the responsibilities of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest regulations and compliance standards in the water industry. Being knowledgeable about these aspects will not only show your commitment to the role but also your ability to ensure that Southern Water meets its regulatory obligations.
We think you need these skills to ace Rising Main HIT Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in infrastructure programme delivery, particularly in the water or utilities sector. Emphasise your leadership skills and any experience managing complex capital programmes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Mention specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead high-performing teams and manage multidisciplinary collaborations.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, such as Chartered Engineer status or equivalent, and any familiarity with NEC contracts and APM project methodologies. This will help you stand out as a strong candidate.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills are crucial for this role, provide examples of how you've successfully led teams and influenced stakeholders in previous positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of the Rising Main HIT Lead position. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of wastewater systems, project management, and the specific challenges Southern Water faces in this area.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous leadership roles and how you've successfully managed teams. Highlight any experience you have in mentoring engineers and driving performance improvements, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Technical Knowledge
Be ready to talk about your technical expertise, especially in infrastructure programme delivery and asset management principles. Mention any relevant qualifications, such as Chartered Engineer status, and your familiarity with NEC contracts and APM methodologies.
✨Engage with Company Values
Southern Water values inclusion, innovation, and development. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs and provide examples of how you've contributed to a positive team culture in past roles.
