Project Manager

Southern Water group; Worthing; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead infrastructure programmes with budgets up to £10 million as part of the AMP cycle. This hybrid role in Sussex offers a permanent contract for 37 hours per week.

You will drive end-to-end delivery, align estimating, scheduling, procurement, design and construction, and manage multidisciplinary teams to hit time, cost and quality targets.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering complex infrastructure projects, ideally in utilities, water or construction.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in risk management and commercial forecasting.

Responsibilities

• Lead project delivery from planning through execution and completion.
• Align estimating, scheduling, procurement, design and construction across stages.
• Manage end-to-end projects to meet time, cost and quality targets.
• Develop and manage detailed project schedules and milestones.
• Facilitate collaboration, resolve challenges and drive efficiency.
• Coordinate internal teams and external partners with clear communication.
• Report progress, forecast risks and support strategic decisions.

Job description

Job Details

Closing Date 2026-09-14 Job Title: Project Manager Location: Sussex (Flexible/Hybrid) Contract Type: Permanent Hours: 37 Salary: From £48,000 based on skills and experience

About the role

Are you ready to lead high-impact infrastructure projects that shape the future of water delivery? We’re looking for an experienced Project Manager to join our dynamic team, delivering critical water programmes with budgets up to £10 million as part of our 5-year AMP cycle. This is your chance to drive fast-paced, reactive delivery; leading multidisciplinary teams, managing complex programmes, and making a lasting impact in a role where no two days are the same.

Responsibilities

• As Project Manager, you’ll be the driving force behind project delivery; from initial planning through to execution and completion.
• You’ll align estimating, scheduling, procurement, design, and construction to ensure seamless progress across every stage.
• Lead projects end-to-end, meeting schedule, quality, and budget targets.
• Develop and manage detailed project schedules and milestones.
• Facilitate collaboration, resolve challenges, and drive efficiency.
• Coordinate internal teams and external partners with clear communication.
• Report on progress, forecast risks, and support strategic decisions.
• Work closely with Senior Project Manager & Programme Manager to ensure programme clarity.

What you’ll bring to the role

• You bring proven experience in delivering complex infrastructure projects—ideally within utilities, water, or construction.
• You’re a strategic thinker, a natural collaborator, and a confident decision‑maker who thrives on solving problems and driving progress.
• Have strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Are confident in risk management and commercial forecasting.
• Can unite teams around shared goals and deliver to time, cost, and quality.
• Enjoy working in a fast‑paced, purpose‑driven environment.

About Southern Water

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.

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.

Our purpose is big. Our impact is huge. And we know that every single one of us has the power, through our actions, to positively change society and the environment for good. It’s why careers with us have real meaning. Because, if you’re driven and ambitious, we can offer you huge opportunities for personal growth, professional development and constant innovation. Forever evolving. Forever focused on doing the right thing, we empower and encourage everyone to play to their strengths and to help us shape a fair and positive future for all. We believe in Water for Life. If you do too, Dive Right In. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That’s why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve. Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position.