Regulatory Programmes Lead Business, Corporate and Support Functions · Exeter (Peninsula House), Bristol

Pennon Group; Exeter, West of England; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Performance Bonus Scheme

Pension Scheme

Professional Development Opportunities

Employee Discount Programme

Generous Annual Leave Entitlement

Job summary

Pennon Group is hiring a Regulatory Programmes Lead to shape and deliver major regulatory work across PR29 and related submissions. Based in Exeter or Bristol with hybrid work (3 days in office), you will translate strategic objectives into actionable plans and drive business-wide alignment.

You'll manage governance, risks and dependencies, report to executives, and work with finance, customer, operations and asset management to keep programmes on track and deliver value.

Qualifications

• Significant programme management experience within a complex, regulated or infrastructure environment.
• Track record coordinating large-scale, cross-functional programmes.
• Strong expertise in programme governance, planning, risk and dependency management.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Confidence to challenge and build consensus at senior levels.
• Ability to stay organised in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of major regulatory programmes, including PR29 and strategic submissions.
• Build and manage integrated programme plans covering milestones, dependencies, governance and critical decision points.
• Coordinate activity across multiple business functions, creating clarity, focus and accountability.
• Monitor programme performance, identifying risks early and driving solutions.
• Produce high-quality reporting for executive and governance forums.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders and challenge constructively to maintain delivery momentum.
• Support budget management and resource planning across major programmes.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Governance & risk management

Cross-functional coordination

Excellent communication

Influence senior stakeholders

Job description

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

At Pennon Group, we're proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power, we're leading the way in water and renewables.

We're proud to be recognised as a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you're starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Regulatory Programmes Lead

Exeter or Bristol | Hybrid Working (3 days per week in the office)

Salary: £37,000 - £50,000 + Excellent Benefits (dependent on experience)

Shape the future of water for millions of customers

At Pennon Group, we're investing in the future of our region through one of the most significant programmes in our history. As we prepare for PR29 and deliver a portfolio of major regulatory commitments, we're looking for an exceptional Regulatory Programmes Lead to bring structure, pace and certainty to some of our most business-critical programmes. You'll play a central role in driving major regulatory programmes across Pennon Group, leading the day-to-day delivery of PR29 and other strategic regulatory submission

This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the business, partnering with senior leaders across regulation, finance, customer, operations, digital and asset management to ensure complex programmes are delivered successfully and on time.

What you're doing

As our Regulatory Programmes Lead, you'll turn ambitious objectives into clear, deliverable plans and ensure every part of the business is aligned behind them. You'll be responsible for overseeing programme governance, tracking delivery, managing risks and dependencies, and providing clear reporting to senior stakeholders.

You’ll:

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of major regulatory programmes, including PR29 and strategic submissions.
• Build and manage integrated programme plans covering milestones, dependencies, governance and critical decision points.
• Coordinate activity across multiple business functions, creating clarity, focus and accountability.
• Monitor programme performance, identifying risks early and driving solutions.
• Produce high-quality reporting for executive and governance forums.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders and challenge constructively to maintain delivery momentum.
• Support budget management and resource planning across major programmes.

What we’re looking for

We're seeking an experienced programme professional who thrives in a complex environment and is comfortable influencing at senior levels.

You’ll bring:

• Significant programme management experience within a complex, regulated or infrastructure environment.
• A track record of successfully coordinating large-scale, cross-functional programmes.
• Strong expertise in programme governance, planning, risk and dependency management.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• The confidence to challenge, influence and build consensus across senior stakeholder groups
• The ability to remain organised and effective in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.

Desirable:

• Experience supporting regulatory submissions or price reviews.
• Experience within the water sector or another regulated utility or infrastructure business.
• Experience preparing Executive or Board-level reporting.

Why Pennon?

At Pennon, what we do matters. Every decision we make helps deliver resilient, sustainable water and wastewater services for our communities and protects the environment for future generations.

You’ll join a collaborative organisation where you’ll have visibility, influence and the opportunity to shape programmes that sit at the very centre of our long-term business strategy.

If you're an experienced programme leader who enjoys bringing order to complexity, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering outcomes that genuinely matter, we'd love to hear from you.

We recognise and reward the commitment, expertise and impact our people bring to the business.

You’ll benefit from a comprehensive package that includes:

• Competitive Salary – Reflecting your experience, skills and contribution
• Performance Bonus Scheme – A rewarding and competitive incentive structure
• Pension Scheme – Helping you plan confidently for the future
• Professional Development Opportunities – Ongoing training and support to help you grow your career
• Employee Discount Programme – Savings across a range of products and services
• Generous Annual Leave Entitlement – Giving you time to rest, recharge and enjoy life outside of work

Closing Date: 26th November 2026

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.