At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic political engagement and manage relationships with key stakeholders.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in transforming the water industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to innovation and positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental performance and engage with influential political figures.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in public affairs and strong understanding of the UK political system.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid – minimum one day per week at our Head Office in Durrington, with regular engagement across the region and London
Contract Type: FTC to June 2027
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
Salary: £Ask on application
About the role
Southern Water is investing billions to improve environmental performance and resilience across the South East. Public affairs sits at the heart of that effort — helping us explain our plans, manage political and regulatory risk, and build credibility with those who influence how we operate.
We are looking for a Senior Public Affairs Manager to play a leading, hands‑on role in how Southern Water engages with MPs, government departments and other senior political stakeholders. This is a senior role combining deep public affairs expertise with a strong grasp of process and transformation. Alongside leading high‑profile political relationships, you will help ensure our engagement activity is joined‑up, effective and tells a cohesive story across national, regional and local government.
Reporting to the Head of Public Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement, you will provide trusted counsel to senior leaders and act as a key part of the organisation’s political leadership capability during a period of significant change and scrutiny.
What you will be responsible for:
- Strategic political engagement
- Lead Southern Water’s engagement with senior MPs, peers, advisers, government departments and other priority political stakeholders.
- Act as a trusted adviser to the Executive team on the political landscape and its implications for the business.
- Help shape public affairs priorities and approaches in response to emerging political, regulatory and media risk.
- Briefings, advice and senior counsel
- Lead the preparation of high‑quality briefings, talking points and advice for the CEO, Executive Directors and senior leaders.
- Provide clear, confident political advice that supports effective decision‑making and external engagement.
- Sense‑check and assure public affairs outputs to ensure they are accurate, credible and proportionate.
- Process, transformation and ways of working
- Support continuous improvement in how public affairs and stakeholder engagement activity is planned, coordinated and delivered.
- Help drive consistency, clarity and effectiveness across engagement activity to ensure a cohesive narrative at all levels of government.
- Contribute to shaping ways of working that enable the team to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, high‑profile environment.
- Leadership within the public affairs team
- Support and mentor Public Affairs Manager, providing oversight, challenge and guidance on complex or sensitive issues.
- Lead by example within the Public Affairs team.
- Act as a senior escalation point for high‑profile stakeholder concerns and politically sensitive casework.
- Provide cover for the Head of Public Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement when required.
- Political intelligence and issue management
- Lead horizon‑scanning and analysis of political and parliamentary activity relevant to Southern Water.
- Translate external developments into clear internal insight with recommended actions.
- Support issue management during incidents, regulatory challenges or periods of heightened scrutiny.
- Partnership working
- Work closely with colleagues across Strategy, Regulation, Communications, Customer and Operations to ensure joined‑up engagement.
- Build constructive working relationships with local authorities, regulators and sector partners where political interests intersect.
What you’ll bring to the role
Essential
- Significant experience in public affairs, political engagement or a related role, either in‑house or agency.
- A strong understanding of the UK political system and how organisations influence policy and decision‑makers.
- A demonstrable track record of managing senior political relationships and advising senior leaders.
- Experience operating confidently in politically sensitive, fast‑paced environments.
- Strong judgement with the ability to balance risk, reputation and delivery.
- Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly and persuasively.
Desirable
- Experience at Account Director level (or equivalent) within a public affairs or communications agency.
- Experience working in a highly regulated or politically sensitive sector.
- Experience of mentoring or guiding colleagues through complex issues.
- An understanding of infrastructure, environment, public services or utilities policy.
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 2025–2030, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in how water services are managed.
You’ll 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 help shape long‑term outcomes.
At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you — even if you don’t tick every box.
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, a 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 and security checks.
Senior Public Affairs Manager in Worthing employer: SouthernWaterServices
Southern Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where senior professionals can significantly influence strategic decisions and contribute to the transformation of the water industry. With a strong commitment to diversity and employee development, the company fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, providing opportunities for growth while ensuring a meaningful impact on environmental performance across the South East. Located in Durrington, employees benefit from a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance and regular engagement with key political stakeholders.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Public Affairs Manager in Worthing
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like SouthernWaterServices, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Public Affairs Manager in Worthing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for SouthernWaterServices and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at SouthernWaterServices
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with SouthernWaterServices, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for SouthernWaterServices.
