Closing Date
2026-06-25Job Title: Senior Project Manager
Location: Testwood (Southampton) and Otterbourne (Winchester) – Hybrid- 3 office/ site and remaining work from home- Driving licence essential due to travel requirements
Salary: Depending on experience, to be discussed at screening stage
About the role
Are you a strategic leader with a passion for driving impactful change? Southern Water is seeking a dynamic Senior Project Manager to join Southern Water’s Capital Delivery Strategic Sites team and be part of a purpose-driven organisation investing billions to transform water services across the region. Our programme is one of the largest and most ambitious in the sector, delivering critical infrastructure that protects the environment, supports communities, and ensures resilient, high-quality services for our customers.
Working within Capital Delivery offers a unique opportunity to lead complex, high-value projects at the forefront of regulatory and environmental change. You’ll collaborate with talented, multidisciplinary teams and industry-leading partners, while shaping innovative solutions that leave a lasting legacy. If you’re motivated by delivering meaningful outcomes, driving improvement, and playing a key role in a transformative investment programme, this is the place to do it.
What you’ll be responsible for:
The Senior Project Manager will play a pivotal role within our Capital Delivery function, leading the planning, management, and successful execution of major capital projects that are essential to improving and safeguarding water services across the Southern Water region. This is a high-impact role, directly contributing to regulatory compliance, customer service excellence, and long-term environmental sustainability.
You will lead a portfolio of flagship projects at Testwood and Otterbourne, these programmes are business-critical, addressing key regulatory drivers and significantly improving river health, treatment performance, and operational resilience across some of our most important sites.
This programme represents a transformative investment in our infrastructure, delivering a step-change in treatment capability, future-proofing assets against growing demand, and positioning Southern Water at the forefront of environmental performance. As Senior Project Manager, you will be at the centre of this transformation, leading multidisciplinary teams and working with key partners to deliver complex, high-profile outcomes that have lasting benefits for our customers and the environment.
Based at our Testwood or Otterbourne office, you will regular travel to the other sites where you will be empowered to shape delivery, influence key decisions, and leave a tangible legacy across the region. We recognise the importance of balancing work and personal commitments, and this role offers flexibility to support school runs and childcare drop-offs and pick-ups. With a blended approach to working, your time will be effectively split between site presence and home working, with an expectation that you will be based on-site approximately three days per week.
Responsibilities will include:
- 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 team of professionals, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Risk Management: Implement and oversee risk management strategies to mitigate potential issues and ensure project success.
- Stakeholder Management: Engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including customers, operations, and delivery partners, to ensure seamless project execution.
- Financial & Performance Reporting: Monitor project performance, and financial forecasting, and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements
About You
You will bring extensive experience in delivering complex projects, with a strong understanding of NEC4 frameworks and their practical application within programme delivery. You will have a proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams, using effective delegation, clear direction, and strong problem-solving skills to drive performance and achieve successful outcomes.
We welcome applications from all sectors; however, experience working within water or wastewater projects would be advantageous. You will ideally hold a degree in Science, Engineering, or Management (or equivalent experience), with Chartered status or progress towards it being highly desirable. Professional certification such as APM Project Professional Qualification and NEC4 ECC Project Manager Accreditation will further support your success in this role.
You will bring strong strategic thinking, aligning projects to business and regulatory goals while leading with accountability to deliver high-quality outcomes. You will collaborate effectively with stakeholders and partners, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment. With a results-driven approach, you will ensure delivery on time, within budget, and to required standards, while promoting continuous improvement. You will also apply strong commercial awareness, balancing cost, risk, and value to deliver sustainable benefits for customers, communities, and the environment.
About Southern Water
Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.
You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation.
Our mission is to protect and enhance life through water and we need passionate people to help us achieve it. If you’re inspired by our purpose and believe you can contribute, apply today. You don’t need to meet every criterion; what matters most is your drive to make a difference.
If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself (myworkdaysite.com- Introduce Yourself)
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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Manager in Chatham
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like SouthernWaterServices, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Senior Project Manager at SouthernWaterServices.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at SouthernWaterServices
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
