Programme Manager (Operations and CAP Integration) in Worthing

Location: Hybrid working between our office in either Worthing or Falmer, and home. Travel to stakeholder meetings in London will be required on occasion.

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday

Salary: Competitive salary commensurate with experience + £400 monthly car allowance and bonus up to 10%.

About the role

We're looking for an experienced Programme Manager to play a pivotal role in one of the UK's largest and most strategically significant water infrastructure programmes, the Hampshire Water Transfer & Water Recycling Programme. Reporting to the Director and sitting as part of the Programme Senior Leadership Team, you'll be responsible for ensuring that the programme is successfully integrated into Southern Water's operations, systems, processes and commercial arrangements. This is a unique role at the intersection of programme delivery, operations, regulation and business transformation.

You'll lead the operational integration of new assets, capabilities and ways of working into Southern Water's business, ensuring that the programme doesn't just successfully deliver infrastructure, but creates sustainable operational outcomes that deliver long-term value for customers and the environment. Working closely with regulators, operational teams, finance, asset management, delivery partners and senior executives, you'll ensure the business is ready to safely adopt and optimise the programme's outputs while maintaining alignment across regulatory, commercial and operational requirements.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Leading the strategic integration of programme outputs into Southern Water's operating model, ensuring new assets, capabilities and processes are successfully embedded into business-as-usual operations.
• Acting as the senior operational integration lead across the programme, aligning delivery with operational readiness, maintenance strategies, asset management requirements and frontline delivery models.
• Building and managing relationships with senior stakeholders across Southern Water, regulators including Ofwat, RAPID, the Environment Agency and DWI, delivery partners and the Competitively Appointed Provider (CAP).
• Developing and maintaining operational, maintenance, asset management and business readiness requirements throughout the programme lifecycle.
• Leading transition, commissioning and operational readiness activities to ensure solutions can move successfully into live service.
• Ensuring robust governance, assurance and acceptance processes are in place across operational integration and CAP interfaces.
• Managing risks, opportunities and dependencies that could impact operational readiness, service performance or benefits realisation.
• Providing clear leadership across programme teams, driving performance against key time, cost, quality and operational outcomes.
• Leading the delivery of sustainable business benefits and ensuring long-term value is realised from programme investment.

What you’ll bring to the role:

Essential

• Significant experience leading large, complex programmes within highly regulated industries.
• Strong understanding of operational integration, business readiness, asset management and transition into service.
• Demonstrable experience working within the water sector, with a strong understanding of operational and regulatory environments.
• Experience of influencing and engaging executive-level stakeholders, regulators and delivery partners.
• Exceptional programme leadership skills, with the ability to navigate complex commercial, technical and operational challenges.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear actions and outcomes.
• Proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams.
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, ambiguous and evolving environments.

Desirable

• Existing relationships with Ofwat, RAPID, DWI or the Environment Agency.
• Experience of large-scale infrastructure, water resource or capital delivery programmes.
• Relevant leadership qualification.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.

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.