Strategic Planning Project Manager

ZipRecruiter; Worthing; Hybrid; GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is seeking two Strategic Planning Project Managers for hybrid roles based in Durrington or Falmer. These positions are critical for managing high-profile projects aimed at meeting regulatory and customer objectives within a dynamic environment. Candidates will leverage their project management expertise to influence key decisions while enjoying a salary up to £55,000 annually, and a range of attractive benefits.

Benefits

Company and performance-related bonus

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

Full funded eye tests

Two paid volunteering days a year

Occupational health service

Study support for job-related qualifications

Qualifications

• Proven experience in project and programme management.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing teams.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage strategic planning workstreams from initiation to delivery.
• Coordinate across multiple functions and manage project governance.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks to safeguard project success.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Leadership

Communication

Education

PRINCE2

APM

NEC

Lean Six Sigma

MSP

Job description

Job Description

This job is with Southern Water, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the + business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Closing Date

2025-06-17

Job Title: Strategic Planning Project Manager x 2

Location: Durrington or Falmer - Hybrid Working

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

We're seeking a highly skilled Two Strategic Planning Project Manager to lead the delivery of key strategic projects vital to meeting regulatory, customer, and business objectives. You'll be at the heart of managing high-profile projects, including the Water Resources Management Plan, Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan, Water Industry Environment Plan, Long Term Delivery Strategies, and PR29 Business Plan.

This is a critical leadership role requiring excellent project management expertise, strong stakeholder engagement, and the ability to deliver complex workstreams on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to critical strategic initiatives that shape the future of water services. You'll work in a dynamic, collaborative environment with the chance to influence key business decisions and develop your career.

Responsibilities will include:

• Lead and manage one or more strategic planning workstreams or programmes from initiation to delivery.
• Coordinate across multiple functions, 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 colleagues to embed best practices in project delivery.

About You

• 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 .

Package

This role will be full time Monday to Friday 37 hours a week.

We are offering a salary of up to £55,000 per annum depending on skills and experience as well as other benefits including:

• Company and performance-related bonus

• 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

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?

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.

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.

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