Watercourse Maintenance Manager

South West Water; Tavistock; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

23 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Health Cash Plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

South West Water is seeking an experienced Watercourse Maintenance Manager to lead our specialist team responsible for the upkeep of leats and canals supporting drinking water supplies and hydroelectric generation across Devon and Cornwall.

You will combine operational leadership with environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance and health and safety leadership, developing maintenance programmes, managing budgets, and building strong relationships with landowners, environmental bodies and

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading and managing operational teams.
• Experience in maintenance, repair and management of watercourses or similar infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of health and safety legislation and safe working practices.
• Ability to plan workloads, manage priorities and drive performance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Full UK Driving Licence, including towing entitlement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Watercourse Maintenance Team to deliver maintenance activities.
• Plan and supervise routine and complex maintenance programmes for water supply and hydroelectric generation.
• Manage resources, equipment, materials, contractors and specialist plant.
• Champion health, safety and wellbeing and ensure safe systems of work.
• Ensure maintenance meets environmental, water quality and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee seasonal maintenance programmes and ensure operational objectives are delivered.
• Manage budgets and support development of business cases for capital investment projects.
• Build relationships with landowners, local communities, environmental bodies and external partners.

Skills

Operational leadership

Watercourse maintenance

Health & Safety

Planning workloads

Stakeholder management

Communication

Driving licence

Education

IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent

NVQ Level 2 in Estates/Building Maintenance or related

Tools

Planning software

Job description

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.

About The Role

At South West Water, we're committed to delivering high-quality, reliable water services while protecting the environment and supporting the communities we serve. We're looking for an experienced Watercourse Maintenance Manager to lead our specialist watercourse maintenance team responsible for the upkeep and operation of the historic leats and canals that support both drinking water supplies and hydroelectric generation across Devon and Cornwall.

This is a varied leadership role that combines operational management, environmental stewardship, asset maintenance, stakeholder engagement, and health and safety leadership. You'll play a key role in ensuring our watercourse network continues to perform effectively while protecting public safety and regulatory compliance.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and manage the Watercourse Maintenance Team, ensuring the safe and effective delivery of maintenance activities across our watercourse network.
• Plan, organise and supervise routine and complex maintenance programmes to support water supply and hydroelectric generation.
• Manage team resources, equipment, materials, contractors and specialist plant to ensure efficient work delivery.
• Champion health, safety and wellbeing, ensuring full compliance with company policies and safe systems of work.
• Ensure maintenance activities meet environmental, water quality and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee seasonal maintenance programmes and ensure operational objectives are delivered.
• Manage budgets and support the development of business cases for capital investment projects.
• Build strong relationships with landowners, local communities, environmental bodies and external partners, including South West Lakes Trust and the Dartmoor National Park Authority.
• Work closely with biodiversity teams to identify and manage invasive non-native species.
• Support public safety through the management of assets and infrastructure within the operating area.
• Deputise for the Hydro Team Maintenance Manager when required.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a practical and experienced leader who is passionate about environmental management, operational excellence and team development.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience leading and managing operational teams.
• Experience in the maintenance, repair and management of watercourses, drainage systems, waterways or similar infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of health and safety legislation and safe working practices.
• Ability to plan workloads, manage priorities and drive performance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Experience using computer systems and software packages for planning and reporting.
• Full UK Driving Licence, including towing entitlement.

Desirable Qualifications & Knowledge

• IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent.
• NVQ Level 2 in Estates, Building Maintenance or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of countryside, environmental or land management.
• Understanding of environmental legislation, abstraction licensing and water resource management.
• Experience operating plant, machinery and power tools.
• Awareness of COSHH regulations and environmental risk management.

Why Join South West Water?

South West Water Benefits

• 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing with service
• Holiday Buy & Sell Scheme
• Competitive Pension Scheme with company contribution matching
• Life Assurance
• Group Income Protection
• Enhanced Family Leave including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
• Share Schemes including discounted shares and share matching opportunities
• Health Cash Plan
• Free Flu Vaccination
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 support)
• Free On-Site Parking at Headquarters
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Car Share Scheme
• Give As You Earn Scheme
• Paid Volunteering Day
• Retail Discounts and Employee Savings Platform

Closing Date: 16th November 2026

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.