Project Manager

Southern Water; Worthing; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is expanding its Clean Rivers & Seas Task Force and seeking a Project Manager to deliver complex initiatives under the Surface Area Based Charging framework. The role is permanent, hybrid-friendly, and pays around £50k per year, with a 37-hour week.

You’ll manage projects funded by grants and partnerships, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery and high-quality outcomes. You will collaborate with internal teams and external partners, driving improvements, handling data, and

Qualifications

• Experience delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Strong planning, scheduling and coordination abilities.
• Effective communication with stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Drives continual improvements related to ways of working.
• Ensures projects meet regulatory requirements and targets.
• Promotes governance and timely project delivery with budget control.

Skills

Planning

Stakeholder comms

Excel

Data analysis

Governance

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Closing Date

2026-10-30

Job Title: Project Manager

Location: Flexible - Hybrid

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37

Salary: Circa £50k, depending on skills and experience

About the role:

We have a new initiative called Surface Area Based Charing (SABC), which will see us work with organisations and households, ensuring surface water removal charges are based on property/estate size.

We will be working closely with customer and organisations to promote sustainable drainage, separating rainwater back to the environment rather than into the wastewater system. This is better for the environment, water resources and will also reduce storm overflows.

Storm overflows are not acceptable to our customers and stakeholders, and we have clear regulatory targets to meet. We want to lead the charge in resolving the current situation. That's where our Clean Rivers & Seas Task Force comes in, creating pioneering and industry-leading solutions to reduce spills and reliance on overflows whilst also enhancing the environment for our communities.

We are expanding the team so we can continue to work in partnership to deliver a larger programme of sustainable and innovative interventions to reduce the use of storm overflows and manage water better across the network.

A brand-new position has been created to join our Clean Rivers & Seas Task Force as a Project Manager.

What you will be responsible for:

As project manager you will be responsible for ensuring that your projects are delivered on time within budget and to appropriate quality standards. Your projects will mainly be related to funding grants and partnerships. Promoting good practice in terms of project planning and control, in collaboration with the team as well as internal and external stakeholders.

• Drives continual improvements related to ways of working.
• Attention to detail as projects may be related to regulatory requirements and targets.
• Utilising influencing skills to promote change and ensure project deadlines are met, and governance standards are adhered to.

What you’ll bring to the role:

About You

The work we are doing is industry leading, so we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences who feel they can work as part of an agile, dynamic and innovative team.

• High level of planning and scheduling skills, ensuring the complex activities of interrelated project teams are controlled, coordinated and linked into the overall programme.
• Good data handling, analytical and Excel skills.
• Effective communications skills at all levels, ability to work effectively as part of a team. Strong influencing and persuasion skills required e.g. to promote change and ensure governance.
• An ability to remain positive, with a 'can do' attitude and ability to find pragmatic solutions to challenges.
• Regulated industry exposure is a bonus.

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 team with a clear vision for the future.

We offer an environment where 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.