Strategic Programme Lead (Bioresources)

Closing Date

2026-09-21

Job Title: Strategic Programme Lead - Bioresources

Location: Hybrid working from our offices in Falmer or Worthing (circa 2 days pw) and remotely

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday

Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience, skills and qualifications

About the role

Southern Water is delivering one of the most ambitious investment programmes in the sector, improving environmental performance, strengthening resilience and creating lasting benefits for customers and communities.

We’re looking for an experienced Strategic Programme Lead to lead our Bioresources investment portfolio, valued at approximately £300m-£400m, including our Industrial Emissions Directive programme and the development of three new advanced digestion sites in Kent.

This is a high-profile role at the heart of our AMP8 plans. You’ll bring together delivery, asset management, operations, commercial and finance teams to achieve complex regulatory and business outcomes, while leading a significant market engagement exercise for a design, build, operate, finance and maintain delivery model.

You’ll own the programme business case and Strategic Programme Execution Plan, maintaining pace and making balanced decisions across cost, risk and performance. Operating through a matrix structure rather than direct line management, you’ll create the conditions for cross-functional teams and external partners to perform at their best.

This is a rare opportunity to shape major infrastructure investment, introduce new commercial delivery approaches and make a tangible difference to the environment and the communities we serve.

What you’ll be responsible for:

•  Leading the development and delivery of Southern Water’s strategic Bioresources investment programmes and their regulatory outcomes

•  Owning the programme business case and ensuring it remains viable, justified and aligned to business and regulatory objectives

•  Creating, maintaining and assuring the Strategic Programme Execution Plan, including compliance with governance and stage-gate requirements

•  Providing leadership across Asset Strategy, Operations, Engineering, Delivery, Commercial, Finance and Procurement

•  Maintaining programme momentum and balancing cost, risk, performance and customer outcomes using delegated authority

•  Leading market engagement and working effectively with external delivery partners on major capital investment

•  Managing programme risks, opportunities, dependencies, interfaces, milestones and performance measures

•  Building strong, credible relationships with senior stakeholders, delivery partners and regulators

•  Creating a collaborative, high-performing programme environment across a complex matrix team

•  Championing innovation, continuous improvement and the positive impact Southern Water has on customers and the environment

What you’ll bring to the role:

Essential

•  A proven track record of leading major, complex programmes or projects at significant scale

•  Confident and credible communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and make decisions across functional boundaries

•  Strong programme leadership skills, including the ability to bring cross-functional teams together and create high-performing ways of working

•  Experience operating in utilities, infrastructure, engineering, environmental services or another complex, regulated or asset-intensive sector

•  Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to understand and apply commercial levers to improve programme outcomes

•  Experience developing and managing complex business cases, investment plans, governance and assurance processes

•  The ability to assess data and competing perspectives, manage ambiguity and balance cost, risk and performance

Desirable

•  Experience of market-delivered capital programmes or collaborative delivery models involving supply chain partners

•  Knowledge of bioresources, water, energy, waste, regulated infrastructure or design, build, operate, finance and maintain arrangements

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 you’re keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details through our careers site.

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.