Proactive Maintenance Manager

Southern Water; Burham; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is transforming its maintenance strategy by moving from reactive fixes to proactive, analytics-led care for water assets across Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. You will shape how data is captured, analysed and turned into actionable maintenance interventions.

You’ll lead the implementation of condition-based monitoring and integrate multiple data sources, turning insights into reliable, timely work orders while collaborating with Digital, OT and maintenance teams.

Qualifications

• Experience leading condition-based or predictive maintenance in asset-intensive industries.
• Strong grounding in reliability methods (RCM, FMEA, RCA).
• Experience turning data into maintenance decisions and interfacing with SCADA/IIoT.
• Ability to lead change and explain technical insight to engineers and executives.
• Engineering degree required; professional certifications are welcome.

Responsibilities

• Design and build the framework to capture, integrate and analyse asset data for intervention decisions.
• Connect sensor platforms, telemetry and Maximo with IT/OT teams to create a single trusted data flow.
• Ensure predictive alerts translate into planned work orders and feed back to models.

Skills

Reliability engineering

RCM

Data-driven maintenance

SCADA integration

Leadership & change management

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Maximo CMMS

Vibration analysis

Job description

Closing Date

2026-11-27

Job Title: Proactive Maintenance Manager
Location: Kent, Sussex, Hampshire (& the Isle of Wight) - Hybrid working

Salary: up to £75,000 depending on experience

A transformation you can shape

At Southern Water, we’re changing how we look after the assets that supply clean water to millions of customers across Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We’re moving from fixing things when they break to a proactive, predictive and intelligence-led approach, where our sensors and analytics tell us an asset is going to fail and we act before it does.

We’re investing in online condition monitoring and predictive analytics, and we’ve already built an Asset Reliability team carrying out RCM reviews across our water supply works. This is one of the biggest maintenance transformations in the UK water sector, and you’ll be at the heart of it.

The role

As our first Proactive Maintenance Manager, you’ll design and build the framework that turns data into action. You’ll take what we get from condition-based monitoring and predictive analytics, turn it into trusted information, and make sure it becomes the right intervention at the right time. You’ll be building something new rather than inheriting a process:

• Shape the framework. Define how we capture, integrate and analyse asset data, and how we decide when to intervene.


• Connect the dots. Work with Digital, OT and data teams to link sensor platforms, telemetry and Maximo into one trusted flow.


• Make it real. Make sure predictive alerts become planned work orders, and that every outcome feeds back to make our models smarter.


• Prove the value. Show the failures avoided, costs saved and service protected, and report progress to senior leaders.


• Build the team. Defne how a team of engineers and reliability analysts and technicians adapt to new data, and bring our regional maintenance teams with you.

What you’ll bring

• Experience leading condition-based or predictive maintenance in water, utilities, process or another asset-intensive industry.


• Strong grounding in reliability methods such as RCM, FMEA and RCA, plus practical knowledge of CBM techniques like vibration, ESA, thermography and oil analysis.


• Experience turning data into maintenance decisions, and an understanding of how SCADA, IIoT sensors, data platforms and CMMS fit together. Maximo is a bonus.


• The ability to lead change and explain technical insight clearly to engineers and executives alike.


• An engineering degree or equivalent experience. IEng or CEng, CMRP or vibration certification are welcome.

Why join us now

• Ground-floor opportunity. You’ll set the standard for how predictive maintenance works across the company.


• Real backing. This role is central to our transformation plan and our ambition to provide the level of service our Customers deserve.


• Visible impact. Your work protects water supplies, customers and the environment.


• Growth. You’ll build a capability, and reputation in one of the most in-demand areas of the industry.

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.”

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.