Leakage Manager

South East Water; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme

5 weeks holiday + 1

Flexible annual leave policy

Volunteer days

Cycle to work scheme

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing related benefits

Job summary

South East Water is seeking a dedicated Leakage Manager to lead a field team of leakage detection and PRV technicians. You will own the planning, scheduling, and execution of leakage activities across the network, while driving performance and compliance.

You will analyse network data to deliver actionable strategies, support regulatory targets, and provide high-visibility insights to the business. A strong leadership background in utilities is essential.

Qualifications

• Good standard of secondary education with numeracy and literacy.
• Management qualification or courses completed.
• National Water Hygiene (Blue) card can be provided by SEW.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data into actionable plans.
• Understanding of Leakage Components and specialist software usage.

Responsibilities

• Lead leakage detection team, plan and schedule work, manage performance and budget.
• Provide operational support and monitor leaks, input data into company systems.
• Ensure H&S compliance, audit field work and drive process improvements.
• Liaise with contractors and other SEW teams for leakage repairs and incident management.

Skills

Team leadership

Budget management

Data analysis

Health & Safety compliance

Leakage systems

Stakeholder liaison

Contract management

Problem solving

Education

Secondary education

Management qualification

Water Hygiene Blue Card

Tools

GIS

Leakage management systems

Nomad

Pressure monitoring platforms

Excel

Job description

Summary

Are you ready to spearhead critical infrastructure transformation and drive high‑impact operational success? We are on an ambitious mission to become the water company that communities wholeheartedly trust and employees are genuinely proud to represent—and we need an exceptionally driven leader to turn that vision into reality. As Leakage Manager, you will take full command of the strategic planning, orchestration, and high‑precision scheduling of all leakage detection operations across our entire network. You will not merely manage; you will inspire, mentor, and elevate a high‑performing field team of Leakage Detection and PRV Technicians, taking end‑to‑end ownership of their daily execution, accountability, and operational excellence. This role sits at the critical intersection of boots‑on‑the‑ground leadership and sharp analytical strategy. You will dive deep into network data, transforming complex operational metrics into actionable strategies that maximise team efficiency, hit regulatory targets, and drastically reduce water loss. Serving as an indispensable operational anchor, you will deliver high‑visibility intelligence to the wider business regarding active jobs and critical investigations, while equipping our front‑line Field Team with the exact operational support, tactical clarity, and resources they need to thrive every day.

Main responsibilities

• Team Management: Manage a leakage team comprising both internal and contract staff, including planning and scheduling work, managing performance (through appraisals) and handling team administration (such as annual leave and sickness). Manage local team budgets and company card spend. Mentor and develop the leakage team, supporting their career progression. Deputise for the Regional Leakage Manager at operational meetings and during periods of leave or absence.
• Operational and Administrative Support: Provide day‑to‑day operational support to the Regional Leakage Manager and field staff. Interrogate the company leakage system and other reports to identify and distribute areas of leakage to field teams. Monitor outstanding leaks and support the resolution of customer side leaks in a timely manner. Handle administrative requirements of the job, including accurately inputting work onto corporate systems (e.g., Nomad, GIS), and assisting leakage detection staff with these activities. Assist Key Accounts with chargeable work as required.
• Compliance, Auditing, and Process Improvement: Ensure strict adherence to all Health and Safety (H&S) practices, policy, and procedures for both staff and contractors. Ensure upward reporting of all H&S incidents, accidents, and near misses. Carry out audits on work submitted by technicians, vehicles, and equipment, and provide feedback to the Regional Leakage Manager for review. Review and provide input into leakage processes and implement improvements to aid efficiency.
• Stakeholder and Contractor Liaison: Liaise with R & M contractors and Distribution for leak repairs and manage operational incidents. Manage contractor KPIs and feedback to the Regional Manager on a monthly basis. Liaise with SEW staff (e.g., Customer Contact Centre, Production) on leakage team activities. Liaise with and assist SEW customers as required.

You’ll need

• Good standard of secondary education and able to demonstrate a good standard of numeracy and literacy skills.
• Management qualification or able to demonstrate management course(s) completed.
• National Water Hygiene ("Blue") Card - can be provided by SEW.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex operational data and translate it into actionable plans.
• Full understanding of Leakage Components.
• Proficient in using specialised water industry software (e.g., GIS, pressure monitoring/logging platforms, and leakage management systems) as well as standard business productivity suites for reporting and data analysis (e.g., spreadsheets, word processing, and email).
• Proven ability to motivate and lead field staff, develop effective work plans and leakage reduction strategies and apply systematic problem‑solving to persistent network issues.
• Experience in the utilities/infrastructure industry (preferably the water industry).
• Experience in leading a team and an understanding of budgetary requirements including planning, resource allocation, PPE and expense control.
• Employees are required to be flexible and to be prepared to perform duties and other tasks within their capabilities.

The nature of our business is such that the contents of any job profile are subject to change from time to time.

Benefits package

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Life assurance.
• Wellbeing related benefits.

Compensation package: £47,152.35, plus a £6,492.36 car allowance. Participation on the manager's standby rota, including a standby allowance.

Grow a career with a meaningful purpose.

We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That’s why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water. Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.

We supply top‑quality drinking water to 2.3 million customers in the southeast of England. Through a network of 9,000 miles of pipe, we deliver 544 million litres of water every day. It's the skill and expertise of our employees that ensures our water meets the highest standards. We make sure we can meet the needs of our customers both now and in the future.

Culture

• Be you, belong and valued.
• Come to work to be safe, valued, and trusted.
• We'll encourage you to create and pursue new opportunities for personal growth.
• A place to be the real you, build deeper connections and enjoy a sense of belonging.
• Be invested in helping us to create a sustainable water supply for now, and in the future.