Bathing Water Partnership Manager - Sussex

Southern Water; England; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is seeking a Bathing Water Partnership Manager to lead partnership delivery and engagement across Sussex, with hybrid/flexible working and travel to regional sites. The role sits within the Environment & Innovation team and supports a programme expanding to over £2 billion over the next decade.

You will build strong collaborations with local councils, regulators and communities to safeguard bathing water quality, influence action, and deliver the Bathing Water Improvements Plan.

Qualifications

• Experience building relationships with councils, regulators and community groups.
• Ability to lead cross-organisational partnerships.
• Knowledge of bathing water regulations and related considerations.
• Strong communication and influencing skills with external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a programme of partnership delivery, engagement and action, ensuring regular dialogue with key stakeholders around the Bathing Water Improvements Plan.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to co-deliver projects with partners with shared priorities.
• Develop strategic engagement plans for key stakeholders, aligned with company strategy.
• Manage reactive stakeholder engagement and bathing water improvement plans on bathing water sites.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Partnership development

Regulatory knowledge

Media relations

Job description

Closing Date 2026-11-11

Job Title: Bathing Water Partnership Manager

Location: Sussex (hybrid/flexible with travel to regional sites)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: circa £55,000

The Environment & Innovation team is at the forefront of Southern Water's drive to enhance and protect the environment. Deploying the latest innovative solutions and working in partnership with our customers and stakeholders, the team takes a holistic approach to managing water quality and flow across the region. Currently delivering a programme that is expanding to over £2 billion over the next 10 years. This is a fast-paced team that is now expanding to continue to deliver a larger programme of sustainable and innovative solutions. This role sits in the part of the directorate that focuses on improving bathing water quality.

About the role

Bathing water quality can be impacted by several factors including leaking or damaged sewers, storm overflows, agricultural runoff, illegal connections, seabird or other animal waste, incorrect disposal of waste and other marine activities. The Bathing Water Partnership Manager will establish excellent partnerships with local councils, regulators. community groups and customers, working together to mitigate impacts on bathing water quality. The role holder will influence and lead action, achieved through genuine and open communication.

What you will be responsible for

• Deliver a programme of partnership delivery, engagement and action, ensuring regular dialogue with key stakeholders around the delivery of our Bathing Water Improvements Plan. This includes arranging and leading on steering group meetings, community-based meetings, customer events, stakeholder talks and providing insight into council scrutiny meetings.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to co-deliver projects alongside partners with shared priorities.
• Develop the strategic partnership/engagement plans for key stakeholders, working closely with colleagues across the business to ensure they are aligned with the company strategy, make best use of existing relationships, highlight areas for improvement and are communicated appropriately across the business.
• Manage reactive stakeholder engagement and bathing water improvement plans, on bathing water sites.
• Provide progress updates to senior internal and external stakeholders.

What you'll bring to the role

• Passion to deliver results that benefit the environment and protect water quality.
• Strong knowledge of bathing water regulations/considerations.
• Excellent understanding of Local Authorities, preferably gained through working with such originations.
• Excellent relationship management skills to work with colleagues at all levels across the business and with external stakeholders.
• Confidence/experience speaking to the media is preferred.
• Capable of working under pressure to tight fixed deadlines on high profile issues.
• Strong influencing and persuasion skills and ability to engage, influence and collaborate with stakeholders which drives outputs.

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.

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.

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