Developer Services Strategy Lead

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

Job summary

Southern Water in the UK is hiring a Developer Services Strategy Lead in Durrington, West Sussex. This hybrid, permanent role works with the Head of Wholesale and Developer Services to build a nationally leading Developer Services function and drive D-MeX performance with strong governance and benefits realisation.

You will translate priorities into deliverable programmes, lead governance for D-MeX and identify opportunities to improve customer and developer experiences across water services.

Qualifications

• Ability to produce high‑quality decision papers, business cases and senior management reports.
• Strong project/programme management skills including planning, governance and controls.
• Understanding of transformation and change management principles.
• Expertise in continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of operating model design and service transformation.
• Ability to identify root causes and evaluate options with evidence and commercial judgement.
• Clear communication of complex issues.
• Understanding of financial governance and investment prioritisation.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt or equivalent (desirable).
• Knowledge of Developer Services water, wastewater and surface water activities.

Responsibilities

• Translate strategic priorities into clearly scoped programmes and initiatives with defined objectives, deliverables, milestones, accountabilities, dependencies, benefits and measures of success.
• Lead the creation, governance and delivery of D-MeX improvement plans.
• Identify opportunities to improve customer and developer experience across water, wastewater and surface water services.
• Lead strategic transformation and change programmes across Developer Services.
• Develop and evaluate strategic options, identifying costs, benefits, risks, resource implications and ROI; prepare recommendations for approval.
• Act as senior project or programme manager for strategically important initiatives and ensure successful delivery.

Skills

Project management

Governance

Programme controls

Change management

Continuous improvement

Operating model design

Service transformation

Root cause analysis

Commercial judgement

Financial governance

Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt (des.)

Job description

Closing Date

2026-10-30

Job Title: Developer Services Strategy 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 work with the Head of Wholesale and Developer Services to build a nationally leading Developer Services function. Lead strategic initiatives and improvement programmes that enable stronger D-MeX performance, better customer and developer outcomes, and improved operational effectiveness. Turn priorities into clear, deliverable programmes with strong governance, assurance and benefits realisation

What you will be responsible for

• Translate strategic priorities into clearly scoped programmes and initiatives with defined objectives, deliverables, milestones, accountabilities, dependencies, benefits and measures of success.
• Lead the creation, governance and delivery of D-MeX improvement plans.
• Identify opportunities to improve customer and developer experience across water, wastewater and surface water services.
• Lead strategic transformation and change programmes across Developer Services.
• Develop and evaluate strategic options, identifying costs, benefits, risks, resource implications and return on investment and preparing recommendations for approval by the appropriate decision makers.
• Where required, act as the senior project or programme manager for strategically important initiatives and take direct responsibility for their successful delivery.

What you’ll bring to the role

• Ability to produce high-quality decision papers, business cases, programme materials and senior management reporting at pace.
• Highly developed project and programme management skills, including planning, governance, programme controls, dependency management, risk and issue management and benefits realisation.
• Strong understanding of organisational transformation and change management principles.
• Expertise in continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of operating model design and service transformation.
• Ability to identify underlying root causes and drivers, develop alternative solutions and evaluate options using evidence, commercial judgement and structured analysis.
• Ability to simplify complex issues and communicate clearly.
• Understanding of financial governance and the interaction between strategic programmes, business planning, investment prioritisation and financial performance.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt or equivalent (desirable)
• Knowledge of Developer Services water, wastewater and surface water activities and strong understanding of developer charging, requisitions, adoptions, diversions and connections (desirable).

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, apply today. 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.

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