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- Tasks: Lead major programmes to deliver regulatory and business outcomes for Southern Water.
- Company: Southern Water is dedicated to providing essential water services with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, bonuses, and discounts with over 800 retailers.
- Why this job: Shape the future of water services while collaborating with diverse teams and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Degree in a technical field and experience in programme leadership within infrastructure sectors required.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; engage with us to explore this exciting opportunity!
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are seeking experienced and a dynamic Strategic Programme Lead to lead and deliver regulatory and business outcomes for Southern Water’s Strategic Programmes. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for ensuring the successful execution of major programmes that align with our PR24 Business Plan and long-term strategic goals. With programme values ranging from £330m to £1,500m, you will be instrumental in shaping the future of Southern Water and its positive impact on our customers.
You will be the business case owner and lead the development and ongoing management of the Strategic Programme Execution Plan, ensuring effective decision-making across functional boundaries, and driving stakeholder engagement at all levels. This is an exciting opportunity to work with cross-functional teams to meet our regulatory commitments while balancing cost, risk, and performance.
Responsibilities will include:
- Leadership & Programme Delivery: Lead one of our Strategic Programmes, ensuring the delivery of outcomes and benefits in line with Southern Water’s PR24 Business Plan and strategic priorities.
- Business Case Ownership: Develop and maintain the business case for each programme, ensuring compliance with gated processes and timely approvals.
- Budget & Cost Management: Manage programme TOTEX budgets and ensure optimal cost efficiency across the programme lifecycle.
- Programme Monitoring & Adjustment: Oversee the progress of the programme, making necessary adjustments to stay aligned with regulatory commitments and the Execution Plan.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with the Strategic Programme Leadership Team and other internal functions to mitigate risks, identify opportunities, and ensure programme success.
- Benefits Realisation: Own and monitor benefits realisation, ensuring that any deviations from the execution plan are escalated in a timely manner.
About You:
- A degree or equivalent qualification in a numerate or technical discipline.
- Membership of a relevant professional body, such as the Institute of Asset Management, Chartered Management Institute, RICS, or Association of Project Management.
- Extensive experience in programme sponsorship/leadership in the water or other infrastructure sectors.
- Proven ability in managing projects through all phases of the lifecycle, including design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
- Experience in risk management, including managing programme risks and escalating issues as needed.
This role will be full-time Monday to Friday 37 hours a week. Southern Water operate a hybrid approach to working between our Falmer office and home. We will be discussing salary with you upon receipt of your application, but we offer the following benefits:
- Company and performance-related bonus
- Generous pension up to 11% company contribution
- 25 days annual leave
- Life assurance equal to 4x salary
- Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
- Health Cash Plan
- Full funded eye tests
- Two paid volunteering days a year
- Occupational health service
- Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
- Digital GP service
- Study support may be available for job-related qualifications
- Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options
- Cycle to work scheme
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?
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That’s why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve. Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position.
Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application. All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.
Strategic Programme Lead employer: Southern Water
Contact Detail:
Southern Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Programme Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Southern Water's PR24 Business Plan and strategic goals. Understanding their objectives will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their vision during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the water or infrastructure sectors. Engaging with industry peers can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals, increasing your chances of landing the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing large-scale programmes, particularly in relation to budget management and stakeholder engagement. Be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Research common challenges faced in programme delivery within the water sector. Being knowledgeable about these issues will allow you to propose solutions and show your proactive approach during interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Programme Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in programme leadership and management, particularly in the water or infrastructure sectors. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage projects through all phases of the lifecycle.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your motivation for applying to Southern Water and how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Strategic Programme Lead role. Mention your experience with stakeholder collaboration and risk management.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you mention any relevant qualifications, such as membership in professional bodies like the Institute of Asset Management or the Chartered Management Institute. This will strengthen your application and show your commitment to the field.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a role that involves managing significant programmes.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before your interview, make sure you have a deep understanding of the Strategic Programme Lead role. Familiarise yourself with Southern Water's PR24 Business Plan and how it aligns with the responsibilities of the position. This will help you articulate how your experience fits into their strategic goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to be asked about your past experiences in programme leadership and risk management. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage complex projects, engage stakeholders, and deliver results. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Since stakeholder collaboration is key in this role, be ready to discuss how you've successfully engaged with various stakeholders in previous projects. Highlight your communication skills and any strategies you've used to mitigate risks and ensure project success.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the current challenges facing the Strategic Programme Leadership Team or how success is measured for this position. This demonstrates your proactive mindset and genuine interest in contributing to Southern Water.
