Fresh Water Pollution Governance & Performance Lead

Southern Water; Havant; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is seeking a Fresh Water Pollution Governance & Performance Lead to own governance, reporting, and regulatory assurance for Fresh Water Pollution across the region. You will collaborate with Water Networks, Water Production, Operational Control, Environmental teams, Digital & Data, and Operational Excellence to ensure processes are governed and risks managed.

The role drives improvement plans, tracks PIRP commitments and regulatory actions, and acts as Product Owner for pollution

Qualifications

• Experience in Water Operations or Environmental Performance and KPI management.
• Experience governing governance frameworks and assurance activities.
• Experience producing executive-level performance reporting.
• Proven ability to lead improvement initiatives and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Strong data analysis and KPI reporting capabilities.
• Experience engaging regulators, auditors or assurance functions.
• Understanding of Fresh Water Pollution processes and Environment Agency requirements is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead Fresh Water Pollution performance reporting, KPI management and insight generation.
• Lead governance framework, documentation control, audit requirements and assurance processes.
• Monitor regulatory compliance against EA requirements and internal standards.
• Oversee delivery of Fresh Water Pollution improvement plans and regulatory action trackers.
• Act as Product Owner for Fresh Water Pollution systems, reporting tools, dashboards and digital developments.

Skills

Water Operations / Environmental Perf.

Governance & assurance frameworks

Executive-level reporting

Improvement initiative leadership

KPI management & data analysis

Regulators/auditors engagement

Environment Agency requirements

Job description

Closing Date

2026-11-13

Job Title:

Fresh Water Pollution Governance & Performance Lead

Location:

Flexible within our region (hybrid 2 days a week with travel to sites across the region. Access to a vehicle is essential for this role).

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

37 hours per week

Salary:

£50-58,000 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

The role will act as the single point of accountability for Fresh Water Pollution performance reporting, governance, regulatory assurance, improvement planning and programme delivery. Working across Water Networks, Water Production, Operational Control, Environmental teams, Digital & Data and Operational Excellence, you will ensure that Fresh Water Pollution processes are effectively governed, risks are proactively managed, regulatory obligations are met, and performance improvement activities deliver measurable outcomes.

What you will be responsible for

• Lead Fresh Water Pollution performance reporting, insight generation and KPI management, ensuring accurate and timely information is available to operational leaders and executive stakeholders.
• Lead the governance framework, documentation control, audit requirements and assurance processes for Fresh Water Pollution activities.
• Lead regulatory compliance monitoring against Environment Agency requirements, WIRI guidance, reporting standards and internal process obligations
• Own delivery oversight of all Fresh Water Pollution improvement plans, PIRP commitments and regulatory action trackers, ensuring actions remain on track and value is realised.
• Act as Product Owner and business lead for Fresh Water Pollution systems, reporting tools, dashboards and digital developments.

What you’ll bring to the role

• Experience within Water Operations, Environmental Performance, Operational Excellence, Regulatory Compliance or Performance Management.
• Experience of managing governance frameworks and assurance activities.
• Experience producing executive-level performance reporting.
• Proven ability to lead improvement initiatives and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of KPI management, reporting and data analysis.
• Experience engaging regulators, auditors or assurance functions.
• Understanding of Fresh Water Pollution processes and Environment Agency requirements highly 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 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.