Developer Services Strategy Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Generous pension

Life assurance

Health benefits through Cash Plan

Volunteer days

28 days annual holiday

Occupational health service

Retail discount app

Job summary

Southern Water in Worthing is seeking a Developer Services Strategy Lead to shape and deliver the national Developer Services Programme. You will work with the Head of Wholesale and Developer Services to translate priorities into deliverable programmes, with governance, benefits realisation and strong performance metrics.

The role requires advanced programme management, change leadership, and experience in transformation across developer services, water, wastewater and surface water activities.

Qualifications

• Translate strategic priorities into clearly scoped programmes and initiatives.
• Lead delivery of D-MeX improvement plans.
• Identify opportunities to improve customer and developer experience.
• Lead strategic transformation and change programmes.

Responsibilities

• Apply governance and deliver defined objectives with milestones.
• Develop and evaluate strategic options with ROI.
• Act as senior project or programme manager for key initiatives.

Skills

Project management

Governance

Change management

Continuous improvement

Financial governance

Lean Six Sigma

Stakeholder communication

Job description

## Developer Services Strategy LeadApply: Worthing: Posted Today: End Date: October 30, 2026 (15 days left to apply): JR9044**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.\"*If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself (myworkdaysite.com- *Introduce Yourself*)**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.#LI-Hybrid#LI-AC1### Interested in the role?* We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so if you are interested in the position please do send your application over today to ensure consideration.* We truly appreciate every application. Please note, that due to the volume of interest, we may not be able to provide personalised feedback to all applicants.### Our Benefits* Company and performance-related bonus* Generous pension* Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary* Health benefits through a Cash Plan* Two paid community volunteering days a year* 28 days annual holiday* Occupational health service* Retail discount app* We offer competitive maternity leave, and flexible return to work options### Everybody Welcome* We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to facilitate your participation in the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let us know.### Need flexibility in your work?* Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?