Senior Project Manager in Southampton

Location: Testwood (Southampton) and Otterbourne (Winchester) – Hybrid: 3 days on site, remaining work from home. Mandatory driving licence due to travel.

Salary: Dependent on experience; to be discussed at screening.

About The Role: We are looking for a strategic leader to drive impactful projects in Southern Water’s Capital Delivery Strategic Sites team. This role involves overseeing, managing, and delivering large capital projects that improve and safeguard water services across the region. Working within Capital Delivery offers an opportunity to lead complex, high‑value projects at the forefront of regulatory and environmental change. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and industry partners to shape innovative solutions. The focus is on delivering meaningful outcomes, improvement, and playing a key role in a transformative investment programme.

As Senior Project Manager, you will lead a portfolio of flagship projects at Testwood and Otterbourne. These programmes are business‑critical, addressing regulatory drivers and improving river health, treatment performance, and operational resilience. The role involves field presence: you will travel between sites to shape delivery, influence decisions, and leave a tangible legacy. Flexibility is offered to support personal commitments with a blended work approach, expected ~3 days on site per week.

Responsibilities:

• Project oversight: Plan, direct, and manage design and construction programs to achieve business goals within schedule and budget.
• Team leadership: Provide direction and motivation to a professional team, aligning with strategic objectives.
• Risk management: Implement and oversee risk management strategies to mitigate potential issues and ensure project success.
• Stakeholder management: Engage a range of stakeholders, including customers, operations, and delivery partners, ensuring seamless project execution.
• Financial & performance reporting: Monitor project performance, financial forecasting, and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Qualifications: Extensive experience delivering complex projects and a strong understanding of NEC4 frameworks and their practical application within programme delivery. Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams, with effective delegation, clear direction, and strong problem‑solving skills. Ideally hold a degree in Science, Engineering, or Management (or equivalent). Chartered status or progress towards it is highly desirable. Professional certification such as APM Project Professional Qualification and NEC4 ECC Project Manager Accreditation further supports success. Strong strategic thinking, aligning projects to business and regulatory goals, leading with accountability, ensuring delivery on time, within budget and to required standards. Demonstrated resilience and adaptability in fast‑paced environments and strong commercial awareness.

About the Company: Southern Water is transforming Britain’s water industry, investing £7.8bn across 2025‑30 in resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long‑term value creation.

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 other protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process are available.

Additional Information: Successful candidates must provide evidence of identity, UK work eligibility, criminal record check (DBS), and verification of employment and/or education history for the past three years. Appointment is subject to successful completion of all pre‑employment checks, including security vetting. Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw an offer if security standards are not met.