Partnership Delivery Manager (Central)

Southern Water; Worthing; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is expanding its Environment & Innovation team by creating a new Partnership Delivery Manager role for the Central region. Based in Worthing with hybrid/flexible working, you will lead partnerships to reduce storm overflows and work with local authorities, schools, and diverse sectors to deliver sustainable water quality improvements.

You will engage senior stakeholders including Directors, manage complex project plans, and present at external events.

Qualifications

• Experience building and sustaining partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to present at conferences and external events.
• Proven track record driving complex projects to completion within deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead proactive and reactive engagement with key stakeholders and senior colleagues (including Directors).
• Identify and lead on partnership delivery opportunities to reduce storm overflows.
• Build and maintain partnership relationships across the Southern Water region and promote task force messages.
• Deliver schemes across the region focusing on priority overflows with appropriate timing and location.

Skills

Partnership management

Stakeholder engagement

Presentation skills

Project coordination

Education

Relevant degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Closing Date 2026-09-01

Job Title: Partnership Delivery Manager - Central

Location: Worthing, West Sussex (Hybrid/Flexible)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37, Monday to Friday

Salary: circa £55,000 (depending on skills and experience)

As part of Southern Water’s drive to enhance and protect the environment, the Environment & Innovation team are deploying the latest innovative solutions and working in partnership with our customers and stakeholders. The team takes a holistic approach to managing water quality and flow across the region, with a portfolio that has rapidly expanded from £50 million to over £2 billion in the next 10-year period. This is a fast-paced team that is now expanding to continue to deliver a larger programme of new and sustainable solutions.

A brand-new position has been created to join our Environment & Innovation team as a Partnership Delivery Manager for our Central region.

About The Role

The Partnership Delivery Manager will be responsible for delivering storm overflow reduction schemes for the Clean Rivers and Seas Task Forces. Building relationships with a variety of important partners - individuals and organisations – where opportunities arise to work collaboratively to reduce storm overflows. These partnerships will include local authorities, schools, organisations across multiple sectors (transports, retail, utilities, health, etc.), and community groups.

What You Will Be Responsible For

• Work at a regional/national level to lead proactive and reactive engagement with key stakeholders and senior colleagues (including Directors) internally.
• Identify and proactively lead on partnership delivery opportunities creating and seeing through plans to work collaboratively to reduce storm overflows.
• Build, maintain and enhance partnership relationships across the Southern Water region, promoting the key messages of the task force at external meetings and showcasing best practice internally.
• Deliver schemes across the region, focusing on priority overflows, working closely with colleagues in the Task Force to reduce overflows by installing the right solution in the right location at the right time.

What You’ll Bring To The Role

• Expert understanding of partnership working and building relationships.
• A proven track record of independently driving forward a project plan while achieving buy-in from senior managers across the business.
• A proven track record of working under pressure to tight fixed deadlines on high profile issues with senior colleagues including Directors.
• Experience presenting at conference and external events.
• Excellent relationship management skills to work with colleagues across the business and with external stakeholders.

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.

"At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need."

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 preemployment 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.