Developer Services Senior Commercial Lead

Southern Water; Worthing; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is hiring a Senior Commercial Lead within Developer Services. You will oversee the commercial and financial management across the function, ensuring sound governance, cost recovery and in-year charging.

You will work with the Contracts Manager and leadership team to provide senior commercial advice and assurance across the portfolio. You will own the commercial strategy, lead complex negotiations and ensure robust financial controls across expenditure, payables and forecasting,

Qualifications

• Strong commercial acumen across cost, risk and outcomes.
• Ability to challenge contractor valuations and events.
• Leadership in complex commercial negotiations.
• Advanced financial modelling capability.
• End-to-end financial control understanding.
• Excellent stakeholder management across functions.
• Knowledge of utilities/construction sectors.
• Understanding of contractor payment mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop the commercial strategy for Developer Services, with contracting, models and financial controls.
• Lead the commercial management of Developer Services delivery contracts.
• Own end-to-end commercial and financial control framework for Developer Services.
• Ensure robust controls across expenditure, commitments, POs, accruals, payments and income.
• Maintain integrity of the overall Developer Services financial position and manage variances.
• Provide assurance on financial reporting, forecasts, exposure and cost recovery.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Valuations challenge

Negotiations

Financial modelling

Financial control

Stakeholder management

Industry knowledge

Contractor payments

Job description

Closing Date

2026-10-30

Job Title

Developer Services Senior Commercial Lead

Location

Durrington, West Sussex (hybrid - 2 days a week)

Contract Type

Permanent

Hours

37 hours per week

Salary

£70-75,000, depending on skills and experience

There has never been a more important time to join Southern Water. As we move through AMP8, we are delivering one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes in the industry, focused on improving environmental performance, service resilience and long-term affordability for customers.

About the role

This is a brand-new role within our Developer Services function. You will lead the commercial and financial management of Developer Services, providing the commercial thread across all aspects of the function. The role will ensure strong financial control, governance and cost recovery, while supporting in-year charging, development of future charges, commercial assurance and financial discussions with partners and customers. Working closely with the Contracts Manager and wider Developer Services leadership team, the postholder will provide senior commercial advice, challenge and assurance across the full portfolio.

What you will be responsible for

• Own and develop the commercial strategy for Developer Services, ensuring contracting arrangements, commercial models, supplier strategies and financial controls support the operational, regulatory and financial objectives of the function.


• Lead the commercial management of Developer Services delivery contracts.


• Own the end-to-end commercial and financial control framework for Developer Services across water and wastewater activities.


• Be accountable for ensuring effective financial controls are established and maintained across expenditure, commitments, purchase orders, accruals, contractor payments, developer income, cost recovery, forecasting, reconciliation and financial close.


• Own the integrity, completeness and accuracy of the overall Developer Services financial position, ensuring material variances, financial exposures and control weaknesses are identified, understood and resolved.


• Provide assurance to the Head of Wholesale and Developer Services on the completeness and accuracy of financial reporting, forecasts, commercial exposure and cost recovery

What you'll bring to the role

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance cost, risk and customer outcomes.


• Ability to challenge contractor valuations and compensation event submissions robustly and fairly.


• Ability to lead complex commercial negotiations and determine the appropriate commercial position in matters involving significant financial or contractual exposure.


• Strong analytical and financial modelling capability.


• Strong understanding of end-to-end financial control, with the ability to identify weaknesses in financial processes and implement effective corrective controls.


• Excellent stakeholder management skills, particularly when working across operational, commercial and finance functions.


• Strong knowledge of commercial management principles within the utilities, construction or infrastructure sectors (highly desirable).


• Understanding of contractor payment mechanisms, valuations, applications for payment and final accounts.

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 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, you don't need to meet every criterion; what matters most is your drive to make a difference.

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.