Natural Resources Programme Manager

South West Water; Exeter; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday

Pension

Training & development

Employee support

Cycle to work

Job summary

South West Water Limited is seeking an experienced Natural Resources Programme Manager to lead environmental and biodiversity investment across the Pennon Group. The role focuses on delivering projects that improve biodiversity, carbon reduction, water quality and resilience, while aligning with AMP8 commitments and PR29 investment.

The position is based in Exeter with flexibility across the South West and regular travel.

Qualifications

• Deliver major capital investment programmes focused on environmental or sustainability outcomes.
• Develop strategies and plans for long-term environmental investments.
• Coordinate governance, forecasting, budgeting and financial performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, development and delivery of Natural Resources investment programmes.
• Develop business cases and support PR29 submissions.
• Manage reporting to senior leadership, boards and regulators.
• Oversee procurement, contracts and delivery partner performance.
• Coach and develop a multidisciplinary team of project managers and specialists.

Skills

Programme leadership

Budget management

Regulatory reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Education

Degree in Natural Sciences

Job description

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.

Location: Exeter (Flexible across the South West with regular travel)
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 dependent on experience

Shape the Future of Nature Recovery and Environmental Investment

We're looking for an experienced Natural Resources Programme Manager to lead the development and delivery of a diverse portfolio of environmental and biodiversity investment programmes across the Pennon Group.

This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic leadership, programme management and environmental expertise to deliver projects that create lasting benefits for biodiversity, carbon reduction, water quality and environmental resilience. You'll play a pivotal role in delivering AMP8 commitments while helping shape the future Natural Resources strategy and PR29 investment programme.

The programme includes:

• Biodiversity enhancement and habitat restoration projects.
• Species recovery and ecological improvement initiatives.
• Major tree planting and carbon sequestration programmes.
• Green First and Environmental resilience Projects.
• Fish and eel passage improvements.
• Biosecurity and invasive non-native species control programmes.
• Catchment management and Upstream Thinking initiatives.
• Conservation, access and recreation programmes across our landholdings.

What you'll be doing:

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the planning, development and delivery of Natural Resources investment programmes.
• Managing programme governance, forecasting, budgeting and financial performance.
• Developing business cases and supporting future environmental investment plans, including PR29 submissions.
• Leading programme reporting to senior leadership, boards, regulators and external stakeholders.
• Managing environmental performance, KPIs, assurance processes and regulatory commitments.
• Building strong relationships with regulators, conservation organisations, landowners and delivery partners.
• Overseeing procurement, contract management and delivery partner performance.
• Leading, coaching and developing a multidisciplinary team of project managers, technical specialists and graduates.
• Identifying programme risks and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
• Championing environmental innovation and continuous improvement across the business.

What we're looking for:

You’ll be an experienced programme leader with a passion for delivering environmental outcomes and a proven ability to manage complex investment programmes within regulated or infrastructure environments.

Essential experience & qualifications

• Delivering major capital investment programmes focused on environmental, biodiversity or sustainability outcomes.
• Programme and budget management, including forecasting and financial control.
• Regulatory reporting, assurance processes and performance management.
• Stakeholder engagement across regulators, partners, suppliers and senior leadership teams.
• Procurement and contract management.
• Health & Safety and CDM compliance.
• Developing strategies, business plans and long-term investment programmes.
• Leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Degree-level qualification in Natural Sciences or a related discipline.

Desirable

• Professional project or programme management qualifications.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional body such as CIWEM or the Institute of Water.

Why Join Us?

This is a career-defining opportunity to influence environmental investment across one of the UK's leading water and environmental services groups.

• Deliver meaningful environmental improvements at scale.
• Generous holiday allowance with the ability to buy and sell annual leave for added flexibility.
• Competitive company pension scheme.
• Training and development within the role.
• Access to thousands of discounts and vouchers through Pennon Perks.
• 24/7 support with our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Discretionary bonus.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• And more!

Closing Date: 16th November 2026

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.