At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver critical wastewater engineering projects and ensure compliance.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a progressive employer committed to sustainability and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, bonuses, private medical insurance, and generous holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public health and the environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Seeking a strategic leader with experience in infrastructure delivery and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for mentorship and professional growth in a transformative industry.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ 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 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.
Rising Main HIT Lead employer: Southern Water
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 interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Southern Water on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations can provide insights into the company culture and expectations for the Rising Main HIT Lead role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with NEC contracts and APM project methodologies in detail. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed complex capital programmes, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've mentored teams in the past. Emphasising your ability to inspire continuous improvement will resonate well with the hiring managers at Southern Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Rising Main HIT Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and qualifications required for the Rising Main HIT Lead position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in infrastructure programme delivery and team leadership.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience with managing complex capital programmes, particularly in the water or utilities sector. Mention any familiarity with NEC contracts and APM project methodologies, as these are crucial for this role.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team of engineers, be sure to provide examples of your leadership style and how you've successfully mentored teams in the past. Highlight your ability to inspire continuous improvement and drive collaboration across functions.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure your application is tailored specifically for Southern Water. Mention their commitment to inclusion and sustainability, and express how your values align with theirs. This will show that you are genuinely interested in being part of their team.
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, regulatory frameworks, and asset management principles, as these will likely be focal points during your interview.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous leadership roles and how you've successfully managed multidisciplinary teams. Highlight specific examples where you've driven performance optimisation and collaboration across different functions, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Technical Knowledge
Be ready to talk about your technical expertise in infrastructure programme delivery, particularly in the water or utilities sector. Discuss any experience you have with NEC contracts and APM project methodologies, as well as your understanding of health, safety, and environmental standards.
✨Engage with Company Values
Southern Water values inclusion, innovation, and development. During your interview, express how your personal values align with theirs. Share examples of how you've fostered a culture of continuous improvement and accountability in your previous roles.