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- Tasks: Lead process improvement and automation strategies to transform Southern Water's operations.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking utility company committed to innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact by driving automation and process excellence in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in process improvement and leadership roles; expertise in automation technologies.
- Other info: Diverse workplace welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Durrington, hybrid working
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37 per week
Salary: To be discussed at screening stage
About The Role
Southern Water is undergoing a major organisational transformation simplifying how the business operates, strengthening enterprise process ownership, and scaling automation to unlock value. As the Head of Process & Automation, you will set the strategic direction for how processes are designed, governed, and continuously improved, while also leading the adoption of intelligent automation technologies across the organisation.
You Will Lead Two Business‑critical Strategic Capabilities:
- Process Centre of Excellence (Process CoE): process governance, performance, optimisation, and continuous improvement.
- Automation Centre of Excellence (Automation CoE): RPA, BPA, low‑code, AI‑enabled workflows, and automation delivery at scale.
What You Will Be Responsible For:
- Defining and leading the enterprise strategy for process excellence and intelligent automation.
- Establishing governance, standards, methodologies and KPIs through the Process CoE.
- Leading end‑to‑end process discovery, mapping, simplification, optimisation, and performance tracking.
- Setting the automation vision and roadmap across RPA, BPA, workflow, low‑code and AI‑enabled technologies.
- Overseeing the identification, prioritisation, design, development, deployment, and monitoring of automations.
- Ensuring robust operating models for delivery, production support, incident management and lifecycle governance.
- Driving enterprise‑wide collaboration and influencing senior stakeholders on process and automation priorities.
Additional Requirements Specific To The Role:
- Minimum 2 days onsite per week (Durrington).
- Visit operational sites 4 times per year.
- Lead workforce change linked to automation (redeployment, upskilling, structural impacts).
- Govern compliance, audit, security, and risk considerations for automated processes.
Essential What you’ll bring to the role:
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in process improvement, automation, or digital transformation.
- Minimum 5 years in senior leadership roles.
- Strong track record delivering large‑scale process optimisation and automation initiatives.
- Deep expertise in process governance, process design, BPMN/UML, optimisation, and performance management.
- Experience leading multi‑disciplinary teams and partner ecosystems.
- Excellent communication, leadership presence, and stakeholder‑influence skills.
Desirable:
- Master’s degree (Business, Digital, Engineering or similar).
- Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt), BPM, Prosci, Agile, or RPA certifications.
- Experience with automation platforms (Power Automate, BluePrism, UiPath) and AI‑enabled workflow technologies.
- Utility sector experience.
- Experience with organisational change and capability development.
- Familiarity with emerging technologies (AI, machine learning, IoT).
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.
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. Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.
Head of Process & Automation in Worthing employer: Southern Water
Contact Detail:
Southern Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Process & Automation in Worthing
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your experience in process improvement and automation. We want you to shine, so practice common interview questions and have your own ready to show your interest!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your past successes in process optimisation and automation to the table. We recommend creating a portfolio or presentation that highlights your achievements and how they can benefit the potential employer.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Process & Automation in Worthing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Process & Automation role. Highlight your experience in process improvement and automation, and don’t forget to mention any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about process excellence and intelligent automation. Share specific examples of your achievements and how they align with our goals at Southern Water.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use your application to showcase your expertise in process governance, automation technologies, and stakeholder influence. We’re looking for someone who can lead and inspire, so let that come through in your writing.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water
✨Know Your Processes Inside Out
As the Head of Process & Automation, you'll need to demonstrate a deep understanding of process governance and optimisation. Brush up on your knowledge of BPMN/UML and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led process improvements in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership presence and the ability to influence senior stakeholders. Prepare to share stories that highlight your experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams and driving enterprise-wide collaboration. Think about challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Automation Technologies
Familiarity with automation platforms like Power Automate or UiPath is crucial. Make sure you can talk about your experience with these tools and how you've implemented intelligent automation solutions. Be prepared to discuss the impact of these technologies on process efficiency.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Practice answering scenario-based questions related to process discovery, mapping, and performance tracking. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.