Senior Strategic Planning Programme Lead

Southern Water; Durrington, Falmer; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is seeking a Strategic Planning Programme Manager to lead major strategic delivery workstreams such as WRMP/DWMP and related plans. This hybrid, permanent role pools senior leadership and cross-functional collaboration to ensure on-time, on-budget outcomes with high standards of quality.

You will coordinate multi-functional teams, manage governance, assess risks, and report progress to senior leadership, while mentoring teams and engaging with regulators.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in project and programme management within complex delivery environments.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing teams in a matrix organisation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Project/programme management qualifications such as PRINCE2, APM, NEC, Lean Six Sigma, or MSP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage one or more strategic planning workstreams or programmes from initiation to delivery.
• Coordinate across multiple functions and directorates, including estimating, scheduling, procurement, design, construction, assurance, communications, asset strategy, and frontline operations.
• Manage project governance, ensuring all deadlines and decision points are met, including design, delivery, financial, communication, assurance, and submission deadlines.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks, issues, and dependencies to safeguard project success.
• Collaborate closely with workstream leads, senior management, and stakeholders to monitor progress and maintain clear, timely reporting.
• Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships, influencing teams across the business.
• Facilitate meetings, problem-solve, and drive consensus to keep projects on track.
• Support assurance reviews and engage confidently with regulators.
• Mentor and coach individuals and teams to ensure effective implementation of the Strategic Planning delivery approach.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

PRINCE2 / APM / NEC / Lean Six Sigma / MSP

Job description

Southern Water is seeking a Strategic Planning Programme Manager to lead major strategic delivery workstreams such as WRMP/DWMP and related plans. This hybrid, permanent role pools senior leadership and cross-functional collaboration to ensure on-time, on-budget outcomes with high standards of quality.

You will coordinate multi-functional teams, manage governance, assess risks, and report progress to senior leadership, while mentoring teams and engaging with regulators.