Catchment Planning manager

Southern Water; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An essential leadership opportunity has arisen at Southern Water for a Catchment Planning Manager. This role focuses on leading the development of key Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans. Expertise in asset management and investment planning within the water or infrastructure sector is essential, as you'll drive high-impact projects and engage with various stakeholders to ensure effective service delivery. The position offers a competitive salary, benefits, and a commitment to career progression within a transforming organization dedicated to sustainable water management.

Benefits

Company and performance-related bonus

Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution

Life assurance payment equal to four times annual salary

Health benefits through Cash Plan

Two paid community volunteering days a year

25 days annual holiday

Perkbox benefits offering discounts and savings

Study support for job-related qualifications

Competitive maternity leave and flexible return options

Qualifications

• Proactive hands-on leader with a strong background in asset management and investment planning.
• Demonstrated experience in a regulated or infrastructure environment.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans.
• Drive the use of risk-based, whole-life cost planning for operational interventions.
• Manage and develop a high-performing team to ensure capability and succession planning.

Skills

Asset management

Investment planning

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Education

Degree in science, engineering, asset or risk management

Job description

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Location: Hybrid working between Falmer 2-3 days pw and home.

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday

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

Job Overview

As Southern Water continues to transform its approach to long-term planning and resilience, we’re excited to offer a key leadership opportunity: Catchment Planning Manager.

This is a hands-on, delivery-focused management role at the heart of our wastewater strategy. You’ll lead the development of Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs) across our sewerage catchments—ensuring we meet our service commitments safely, legally, and sustainably.

This isn’t a theoretical or academic role. We’re looking for someone who thrives on turning complex data and risk models into practical, actionable investment and maintenance plans. You’ll lead a team of technical specialists, working closely with colleagues across Asset Management, Operations, Capital Delivery, and external stakeholders to embed robust, risk-based planning into the heart of our business.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to

• Leading the development and implementation of DWMPs across all wastewater catchments, integrating network and process options.
• Driving the use of risk-based, whole-life cost planning to identify the best mix of operational, maintenance, and capital interventions.
• Embedding asset management best practice and ensuring plans are aligned with Southern Water’s risk and resilience frameworks.
• Translating area-based business plans into executable programmes of work and supporting long-term business planning.
• Leading the development of asset data, modelling tools, and planning systems to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Managing and developing a high-performing team, ensuring capability, succession planning, and continuous improvement.
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment, influence outcomes, and promote integrated planning.
• Ensuring compliance with legislative maintenance requirements and proposing action plans where shortfalls are identified.

About You

We’re looking for a proactive, hands-on leader with a strong background in asset management and investment planning—ideally within the water or wider infrastructure sectors.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in asset management and investment planning in a regulated or infrastructure environment.
• A practical understanding of risk management, asset deterioration modelling, and whole-life cost analysis.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to influence across all levels.
• A degree in science, engineering, asset or risk management (or equivalent), and ideally a relevant professional qualification.
• A full UK driving licence.

Package

This role will be full time Monday to Friday with a hybrid approach to working between our office in Falmer, and home.

We are offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus £400 monthly car allowance and up to 10% bonus. Other benefits include:

• Company and performance-related bonus

• Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution

• Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary

• Health benefits through a Cash Plan

• Two paid community volunteering days a year

• 25 days annual holiday

• Perkbox benefits offering discounts and savings on several products and experiences

• Study support may be available for job-related qualifications

• We offer competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options

Join Southern Water and see how far your career could progress with a company committed to career progression, training and development opportunities, our customers and the environment.

Why 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.

At Southern Water, diversity and inclusion are core values. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an environment where every individual is empowered to succeed.

This is more than a role; it’s an opportunity to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact. Apply now to be part of our transformational journey.