Operations Manager

Southern Water; Brede; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is seeking an Operations Manager to lead the Hastings area's water networks and production activities. You will drive safe, efficient, and compliant operation across teams, improving leakage, asset reliability and regulatory performance.

You will lead change, foster a high‑performing culture, and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver sustainable improvements for customers and the region.

Qualifications

• Experience in utilities or operations is preferred.
• Strong financial acumen and understanding of financial management.
• Understands how supply chain works.
• Good commercial sense (price and value).
• Understand how their area links into the SW business.
• Ability to interpret and act on data for best value.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational decision-making across people, resources, contractors and assets, balancing customer, regulatory, safety and financial priorities.
• Develop and implement performance monitoring to improve reliability, leakage and productivity.
• Identify and deliver continuous improvement initiatives using data and lean methods.
• Build relationships with stakeholders including regulators and service partners.
• Develop compliance plans for production sites to improve reliability and water quality.
• Provide visible leadership in Health, Safety and Wellbeing and ensure safety culture.
• Coach and develop front line teams to deliver exceptional customer and operational outcomes.

Skills

Operations management

Water industry experience

Health and safety

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Management degree

Job description

Hours: 37

Salary: From £64,800 depending on skills and experience

Closing Date: 2026-10-26

Job Title: Operations Manager

Location: Brede, East Sussex

Contract Type: Permanent

About The Role

The role is responsible for leading the operational delivery of Water Networks and production activities across the Hastings area, including Water Production, Network Inspectors and front-line operational teams. You will ensure the safe, efficient and compliant operation of the water network and operational sites, driving performance across leakage, compliance, asset reliability, responsiveness and regulatory obligations.

What You Will Be Responsible For

In addition to the above, the role will both work to define and achieve the necessary performance criteria, in terms of compliance to permit and statutory legislation are achieved to enable the wider delivery of Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Environment, financial and customer performance within the regional organisation.

As a senior leader within Southern Water, you will be expected to lead change, foster a high-performing culture and work collaboratively across operational and support functions to deliver sustainable improvements for customers and stakeholders.

• Lead operational decision-making across people, resources, contractors and assets, balancing customer, regulatory, safety and financial priorities to deliver the best outcomes for the region.
• Develop and implement performance monitoring and control measures to drive improvements in network reliability, leakage, repair performance, customer experience and operational productivity.
• Lead the identification and delivery of continuous improvement initiatives, utilising data, technology and lean methodologies to improve efficiency, reduce operational risk and enhance service performance.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including local authorities, regulators, highways authorities and service partners, ensuring effective management of operational issues, incidents and stakeholder concerns.
• Develop compliance plans on your production sites, improving both reliability and water quality
• Provide visible leadership in Health, Safety and Wellbeing, ensuring a strong safety culture and compliance with company standards, policies and statutory obligations.
• Lead, coach and develop front line operational teams to create a high-performing, accountable and engaged workforce focused on delivering exceptional customer and operational outcomes.

Skills & Competencies

• Ensure that team are empowered to operate safely, displaying a zero compromise attitude to the health and wellbeing of staff, ensuring that we send the team home safe and well at the end of the day.
• Manage operation of assets and processes to regional targets and company targets within a geographic area
• Work with Asset Management to ensure that the right capex and opex asset improvement plans are in place
• Drive contractor and service provider performance in the geography
• Provide an excellent level of customer service within the geography
• Lead and engage a significant workforce within the framework of Southern Water’s values and behaviours
• Act as an ambassador for Southern Water when working with external stakeholders and businesses

What You’ll Bring To The Role

Technical

• Experience of utility, maintenance or operations background preferred
• Strong financial acumen and understanding of financial management
• Understands how supply chain works
• Good commercial acumen (understands price and value for money)
• Understand how their area links into the rest of SW business
• Ability to understand best value in different scenarios (short and long term

Risk & Compliance

• Good understanding of financial control
• Regulatory environment
• Legal environment
• Health and Safety at Work act
• Employment Law
• Water Management Licensing

Business, Personal And Leadership Skills

• Results oriented
• Can formulate plans and deliver on these
• Can manage complex and sometimes incomplete data sets and come to effective conclusions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Resilient
• Adaptable
• Good at persuading and influencing
• Strong management and leaderships skills with the ability to motivate and drive
• Able to positively engage with employees and the team

Desirable

• Degree, Diploma in Management Studies or equivalent preferred

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.

You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation

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.