Project Manager

Southern Water; Chatham; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is seeking a Project Manager to join our Capital Delivery team within Water Infrastructure. You will plan, manage and deliver high-profile projects across the region, focusing on water mains renewals and essential services.

This hybrid role involves regional travel with office/site and remote work, requiring leadership of multidisciplinary teams, effective stakeholder management, and delivery within time and budget constraints to meet regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing complex projects or programmes.
• Strong leadership to motivate multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong planning, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Experience managing project budgets, risks and performance reporting.
• Engineering, Construction and/or Project Management qualification, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage design and construction programmes to meet business goals.
• Deliver projects safely, on time and within budgets.
• Lead and motivate multidisciplinary project teams.
• Manage project risks, issues and dependencies.
• Work closely with customers, operations teams and delivery partners.
• Track project performance, budgets and forecasts.
• Ensure projects meet regulatory and business requirements.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Risk management

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Engineering/Construction/PM qualification

Tools

APM PPQ

NEC contracts

Job description

Closing Date

2026-10-27

JobTitle: Project Manager x 2

Location: Falmer- Regional travel will be required, with site visits across the Southern Water region- Hybrid- 3 office/site and remaining WFH

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full time

Salary: From £47,100 based on skills and experience

About the role:

Are you an experienced project leader who enjoys delivering change that makes a real difference?

Southern Water is looking for a Project Manager to join our Capital Delivery team within Water Infrastructure.

This team focuses on water mains renewals and the delivery of key infrastructure projects across the region. You will help plan, manage and deliver high-profile projects that support reliable water services, environmental sustainability and long-term resilience for our customers.

This is a great opportunity to work with multidisciplinary teams, delivery partners and stakeholders across Southern Water. You will play an important role in helping us meet regulatory requirements and deliver essential services to millions of customers.

What you will be responsible for:

• Planning and managing design and construction programmes to meet business goals.
• Delivering projects safely, on time and within agreed budgets.
• Leading and motivating multidisciplinary project teams.
• Managing project risks, issues and dependencies.
• Working closely with customers, operations teams and delivery partners.
• Tracking project performance, budgets and financial forecasts.
• Making sure projects meet regulatory and business requirements.

What you’ll bring to the role:

Essential

• Proven experience managing projects or programmes in a complex environment.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and guide multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong planning, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Experience managing project risks, budgets and performance reporting.
• Engineering, Construction and/or Project Management qualification, or equivalent practical experience.

Desirable

• Experience in water infrastructure, utilities or capital delivery.
• Experience delivering water mains renewal or similar infrastructure projects.
• Experience supporting the design and build of contracts.
• APM Project Professional Qualification (PPQ) or equivalent.
• NEC Project Manager accreditation or experience working within NEC contract frameworks.
• Good working knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015 will be highly beneficial

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 mission is to protect and enhance life through water—and we need passionate people to help us achieve it. If you’re inspired by our purpose and believe you can contribute, apply today. You don’t need to meet every criterion; what matters most is your drive to make a difference.

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 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.