Senior Environment Strategy Specialist

SouthernWaterServices; Worthing; Hybrid; GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent water management company in the UK is seeking a Senior Environment Strategy Specialist to lead the implementation of its Environment Strategy. This full-time position offers a hybrid working model with a salary of circa £60,000. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in developing environmental strategies and excellent communication skills to engage with stakeholders. Benefits include generous pension contributions, annual leave, and study support.

Benefits

Generous pension up to 11% company contribution

25 days annual leave

Life assurance equal to 4x salary

Salary sacrifice electric car scheme

Health Cash Plan

Fully funded eye tests

Two paid volunteering days a year

Occupational health service

Discounts with over 800 retailers

Digital GP service

Study support for job-related qualifications

Competitive maternity leave

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Strategic thinker with a strong technical background in environmental policy.
• Experience in biodiversity net gain, carbon sequestration, and nutrient neutrality.
• Ability to engage senior stakeholders and present complex information clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of the Environment Strategy.
• Create and manage a dashboard to monitor progress and report to stakeholders.
• Promote strategic approaches to biodiversity and climate resilience.

Skills

Development and delivery of environmental strategies

Expertise in biodiversity net gain

Strong analytical skills

Excellent communication skills

Collaborative mindset

Tools

GIS and data management systems

Job description

Closing Date 2025-11-28

Job Title: Senior Environment Strategy Specialist (hybrid, approx. 1 or 2 days per week in office)

Location: Falmer, East Sussex

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: circa £60,000 depending on skills and experience

The Environment & Innovation team is at the forefront of Southern Water’s drive to enhance and protect the environment. Deploying the latest innovative solutions and working in partnership with our customers and stakeholders, the team takes an holistic approach to managing water quality and flow across the region. The portfolio has rapidly expanded from £50million to over £2 billion in the next 10-year period. This is a fast‑paced team that is now expanding to continue to deliver a larger programme of sustainable and innovative solutions.

Job Overview

Reporting to the Environment Strategy Manager, you’ll lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of Southern Water’s Environment Strategy across the entire business. You’ll work with our partners to help embed the strategy into corporate governance, build visibility and accountability across departments, and ensure our environmental ambitions are translated into measurable outcomes. Key responsibilities include:

• Developing detailed technical content and implementation plans for our emerging Environment Strategy, including SMART targets.
• Creating and managing a comprehensive dashboard to monitor progress, joining up existing and new programmes across the business and report to internal and external stakeholders, including senior‑level forums.
• Supporting internal governance and the Environment Steering Group embedding the Environment Strategy in its structure.
• Promoting strategic approaches to biodiversity and climate resilience across the business.
• Collaborating with teams such as Catchment Management, Asset Planning & Strategy, and Clean Rivers & Seas to align delivery plans with environmental goals.
• Bring the Strategy to life internally and externally, helping champion and build visibility across communication methods and mediums.

About You

You’ll be a strategic thinker with a strong technical background in environmental policy and programme delivery. You’ll bring:

• Demonstrable experience in developing and delivering environmental strategies.
• Expertise in biodiversity net gain, carbon sequestration, nutrient neutrality, and natural/social capital approaches.
• Strong analytical skills and experience (with GIS and data management systems an advantage).
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and present complex information clearly.
• A collaborative mindset and a passion for driving environmental change.
• Ability to bring to life and communicate complex strategic ideas to a variety of audiences.

Package

This role will be full time Monday to Friday with a hybrid approach to working between our Falmer office and home. We are offering a salary circa £60,000 as well as other benefits including:

• Generous pension up to 11% company contribution
• 25 days annual leave
• Life assurance equal to 4x salary
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
• Health Cash Plan
• Full funded eye tests
• Two paid volunteering days a year
• Occupational health service
• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
• Digital GP service
• Study support may be available for job-related qualifications
• Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options
• Cycle to work scheme

Join our Environment & Innovation team and see how far your career could progress with a company committed to career progression, training and development opportunities, our customers and the environment.

Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?

Privacy Statement:

Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application.

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.