EIR Officer in Worthing

Location: Hybrid working, with two days per week at our Durrington office. Tuesday is the team day, with flexibility around the second office day.

Contract Type: 12 month Fixed-term contract with potential to extend

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday

Salary: Up to £42,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience

About the role

We're looking for an Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) Officer to join our ESG team and help Southern Water respond effectively and lawfully to a growing volume of environmental information requests. You'll manage requests from receipt through to response, assessing what information we are legally required to disclose and applying sound judgement where exceptions, confidentiality or public interest considerations arise. The work is varied, deadline-driven and often complex, with decisions carrying legal, regulatory and reputational importance. Working closely with Legal, Information Governance, Corporate Affairs and teams across the business, you'll gather information, advise stakeholders and produce clear, well-reasoned responses. You'll also support internal reviews, regulatory complaints and improvements to the way we manage EIR activity.

This could suit an experienced EIR or Freedom of Information professional, or someone with strong water-sector knowledge who is ready to develop specialist expertise. You'll need to be organised, resilient and comfortable working autonomously while building trusted relationships across the business.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Managing EIR requests end to end and ensuring responses meet statutory timescales
• Interpreting legislation, ICO guidance, case law and regulatory precedent to determine our disclosure obligations
• Assessing disclosure positions, identifying relevant exceptions and supporting public interest tests with Legal Services
• Advising stakeholders and senior leaders on EIR and Freedom of Information requirements
• Building effective relationships across Legal, Information Governance, Corporate Affairs and operational teams
• Supporting internal reviews, ICO investigations and regulatory complaints
• Monitoring regulatory developments and translating them into practical policy and process improvements
• Producing clear guidance, training, compliance reporting and management information
• Helping identify practical opportunities to improve administration, information gathering and team efficiency

What you’ll bring to the role:

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of Environmental Information Regulations or Freedom of Information, including interpreting legislation and guidance
• Strong analytical judgement and the confidence to make clear, evidence-based recommendations on complex information requests
• Excellent written communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to explain complex requirements clearly
• Strong organisation and resilience, with the ability to work autonomously across multiple priorities and statutory deadlines
• Water-sector, regulated-sector, legal or information governance experience would be advantageous

For internal applicants with significant experience in other areas of the water industry, we can support in upskilling in EIR.

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.

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.