At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformation initiatives and shape strategic investment decisions for a major UK utility.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a key player in essential services and environmental investment.
- Benefits: Opportunity to influence significant projects and work with executive leaders.
- Other info: Unique chance to operate at the intersection of strategy, governance, and leadership.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on the future of vital infrastructure and environmental agendas.
- Qualifications: Experience in portfolio management and strategic decision-making within large organisations.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Location: Durrington
Shape the decisions that will define the future of a major UK utility. The most successful transformations do not begin with delivery. They begin with making the right strategic choices. At Southern Water, we are entering one of the most ambitious periods of investment and transformation in our history. As expectations from customers, regulators and stakeholders continue to grow, so too does the importance of making confident, evidence-led decisions about where we invest, how we prioritise and what delivers the greatest long-term value.
We are seeking a highly accomplished portfolio leader to join our Transformation Directorate and establish a truly integrated view of transformation and enterprise investment across the organisation. This is a rare opportunity to operate at the centre of strategic decision-making, helping shape the future direction of a business responsible for delivering essential services to millions of customers.
The Opportunity
Reporting into the Chief Transformation Officer, the Head of Transformation Portfolio will provide oversight of Southern Water's enterprise-wide transformation and investment portfolio. You will bring together a diverse portfolio of strategic initiatives, capital investment programmes, business change activity and organisational priorities into a single enterprise view, enabling informed decisions at Executive and Board level. Working closely with senior leaders across the organisation, you will ensure investment decisions are aligned to corporate strategy, regulatory commitments, customer outcomes and long-term value creation. You will lead discussions that determine where resources are invested, how competing priorities are balanced and how the organisation maximises delivery confidence while achieving ambitious transformation goals. This is a role for someone who enjoys operating at the intersection of strategy, investment, governance and executive leadership.
What You'll Be Responsible For
- Shaping and overseeing Southern Water's integrated transformation and investment portfolio
- Supporting Executive leaders in strategic investment and prioritisation decisions
- Providing portfolio insight, challenge and recommendations to senior stakeholders
- Driving best-in-class portfolio governance, performance reporting and assurance
- Leading enterprise-wide benefits management and value realisation frameworks
- Identifying strategic risks, dependencies, opportunities and capacity constraints
- Establishing portfolio management excellence and leading the Change Centre of Excellence
- Enhancing our organisational capability across transformation, investment portfolio management and business change
About You
You are likely to be operating within a large, complex organisation where investment decisions, strategic prioritisation and governance are critical to business success. You may currently hold a leadership position such as:
- Head of Portfolio Management
- Enterprise PMO Director
- Portfolio Director
- Transformation Director
- Head of Strategic Programmes
- Director of Enterprise Change
- Head of Investment Governance
Most importantly, you will bring the credibility, judgement and influence required to engage confidently with Executive Committees, Boards and senior stakeholders. You'll have a track record of helping organisations answer difficult questions:
- Which investments create the greatest value?
- Where should resources be prioritised?
- What risks threaten successful delivery?
- How can transformation outcomes be accelerated?
You combine strategic thinking with commercial insight and have the confidence to challenge constructively, influence decisions and shape outcomes at the highest levels.
Why Join Southern Water?
This is not simply a leadership role within a transformation function. It is an opportunity to influence the future direction of an organisation delivering one of the UK's most important infrastructure and environmental investment agendas. You will work alongside executive leaders to shape the decisions that matter most, creating the structure, governance and strategic clarity that enables long-term success. For an exceptional portfolio leader seeking the opportunity to make a lasting impact at enterprise scale, this is a truly unique career opportunity. Lead the portfolio. Shape the strategy. Influence the future.
Head of Transformation - Portfolio in Worthing employer: SouthernWaterServices
Southern Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can lead transformative water and wastewater projects that make a real difference in communities. With a strong commitment to employee growth, a collaborative culture, and a focus on sustainability, you'll find ample opportunities to develop your skills while contributing to a vital mission. Located in the vibrant areas of Falmer and Durrington, our flexible hybrid working model ensures a healthy work-life balance, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals looking to drive change in the water industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Transformation - Portfolio in Worthing
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Head of Transformation - Portfolio at SouthernWaterServices!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like SouthernWaterServices or be willing to refer you for that Head of Transformation - Portfolio position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from SouthernWaterServices who’s on the lookout for their next Head of Transformation - Portfolio star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Head of Transformation - Portfolio role at SouthernWaterServices!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Transformation - Portfolio in Worthing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at SouthernWaterServices. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at SouthernWaterServices
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at SouthernWaterServices. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
