Water Network Science Lead: Protecting Water Quality

South East Water Limited; Pembury; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stakeholder pension (up to 10%)}

5 weeks holiday + bank holidays

Flexible annual leave policy

Volunteer days

Cycle to work

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

South East Water Limited seeks a Water Network Science Manager to lead a specialist technical team safeguarding water quality from treatment works to customers’ taps. You will own network performance, identify risks early, and ensure safe, resilient drinking water with long-term maintenance strategies.

You will bring proven water quality or distribution science experience, strong leadership, and a proactive risk-management approach to ensure compliance and protect customer trust across the

Qualifications

• Excellent team management and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Word/Google Docs and Excel/Google Sheets.
• Full UK driving licence required.
• Self-motivated, committed and organized.
• Ability to prioritise and adapt workload for self and team.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and technical direction to the Distribution Science team, focusing on monitoring and management of the water distribution network.
• Develop and implement proactive strategies to identify, control, and mitigate water quality risks within the network.
• Oversee performance analysis of the distribution system, using data to drive improvements in water quality and network health.
• Optimise team workload by delegating tasks and streamlining workflows to reduce reactive pressures.
• Collaborate with operational teams on flushing programmes, network maintenance, and customer water quality contacts.
• Ensure all distribution activities align with regulatory requirements and internal quality assurance standards.
• Provide technical oversight during distribution-related water quality incidents, ensuring rapid mitigation.
• Coach and mentor team members to build capability and ensure robust scientific support.
• Act as a technical SME in network infrastructure and water quality projects.
• Evaluate and evolve SOPs for network maintenance to minimise impact on water quality.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Data analysis

IT skills

Driving licence

Job description

South East Water Limited seeks a Water Network Science Manager to lead a specialist technical team safeguarding water quality from treatment works to customers’ taps. You will own network performance, identify risks early, and ensure safe, resilient drinking water with long-term maintenance strategies.

You will bring proven water quality or distribution science experience, strong leadership, and a proactive risk-management approach to ensure compliance and protect customer trust across the