Senior Environmental Advisor

Southern Water; Falmer; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is seeking a Senior Environmental Advisor to join the Enabling Team in Engineering Technical Services (ETS) in Falmer, East Sussex. The role focuses on providing expert environmental risk management across a portfolio of projects to ensure sustainable design, maintenance, and construction processes.

You will lead environmental assessments, coordinate with consultants and stakeholders, and ensure compliance with UK environmental legislation and permits.

Qualifications

• Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Ecology, Geography, Environmental Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience in environmental consultancy, utilities, infrastructure, construction, engineering, or similar environments.
• Excellent organisational, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of UK environmental legislation, planning processes, and environmental management practices.
• Experience undertaking or coordinating environmental assessments and inputs to projects.
• Experience managing specialist consultants and coordinating multiple stakeholders.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution (ISEP, CIWEM, or equivalent).
• Chartered status, or working towards chartership, would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert environmental advice throughout project lifecycles from concept to construction.
• Lead or oversee environmental assessments, surveys, investigations, and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure projects comply with environmental legislation, planning requirements, permits, licences, and industry best practice.
• Advise on water resources, pollution prevention, waste management, and environmental permitting matters.
• Manage specialist environmental consultants and contractors, ensuring high-quality outputs.
• Support stakeholder engagement with regulators, local authorities, statutory bodies, landowners, and community groups.

Skills

Environmental risk management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Environmental knowledge

Education

Environmental Science or related degree

Job description

Closing Date2026-10-02

Job Title: Senior Environmental Advisor

Location: Falmer, East Sussex (Hybrid, 2 days pw)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37, Monday to Friday

Salary: up to £55,000, depending on skills and experience

There has never been a more important time to join Southern Water. We are delivering one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes in the industry, focused on improving environmental performance, service resilience and long-term affordability for customers.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Enabling Team in Engineering Technical Services (ETS) at Southern Water as a Senior Environmental Advisor. In this role, you will provide expert environmental risk management support across a diverse portfolio of projects, ensuring sustainable and responsible design, maintenance, and construction processes. You will play a key role in delivering environmental solutions that protect water resources, enhance ecosystems, and contribute to long-term sustainability.

What you will be responsible for

• Providing expert environmental advice throughout project lifecycles, from concept and design through to construction.
• Leading or overseeing environmental assessments, surveys, investigations, and mitigation strategies.
• Ensuring projects comply with environmental legislation, planning requirements, permits, licences, and industry best practice.
• Advising on water resources, pollution prevention, waste management, and environmental permitting matters.
• Managing specialist environmental consultants and contractors, ensuring high-quality technical outputs.
• Supporting stakeholder engagement with regulators, local authorities, statutory bodies, landowners, and community groups.

What you'll bring to the role

We're looking for someone who combines strong technical environmental knowledge with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills but most importantly, a deep passion for the environment.

• A degree (or higher qualification) in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Ecology, Geography, Environmental Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience working within environmental consultancy, utilities, infrastructure, construction, engineering, or a similar environment.
• Excellent organisational, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of UK environmental legislation, planning processes, and environmental management practices.
• Experience undertaking or managing environmental assessments and coordinating environmental inputs to projects.
• Experience managing specialist consultants and coordinating multiple stakeholders.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution such as ISEP, CIWEM, or equivalent.
• Chartered status, or working towards chartership, would be advantageous.

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.

"At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we'd love to hear from you-even if you don't tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need."

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 preemployment 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.