We have an exciting new role become available to work with our Client Southern Water out of their offices in Falmer East Sussex.

They are seeking a highly experienced Investment Programme Manager to drive the effective delivery of Southern Water’s strategic investment programmes, ranging from £330m to £1.5bn in value. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that programme outcomes and benefits are delivered in line with the PR24 Business Plan and Southern Water’s strategic objectives. This is a highly visible and cross-functional leadership role requiring excellent programme governance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Key Matching Criteria

Programme Management Experience

• Extensive experience in end-to-end programme management of large, complex portfolios, ideally £300m+.
• Proven track record of delivering regulated infrastructure or utilities programmes, ideally in the water or wastewater sector.
• Demonstrated ability to optimise delivery frameworks, drive efficiencies, and manage high-value investment plans.

Industry & Regulatory Knowledge

• Applied understanding of the UK water industry, OFWAT’s regulatory model, business planning cycles (e.g., PR24), and statutory obligations.
• Familiar with the TOTEX framework and capital investment drivers in regulated environments.
• Awareness of future trends and challenges impacting infrastructure investment.

Financial & Benefits Management

• Strong experience monitoring and managing programme-level budgets, tracking benefits realisation, and supporting business case development.
• Comfortable producing and interpreting financial reports for internal and external stakeholders (e.g., shareholders, regulators, board).

Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership

• Ability to influence and communicate clearly with executive and board-level stakeholders.
• Comfortable holding senior colleagues accountable and challenging constructively on delivery, cost, or benefit realisation.
• Experience working across multi-disciplinary teams and functions to ensure programme alignment.

Reporting & Governance

• Skilled in preparing high-quality programme reports, dashboards, and insights for decision-making forums (e.g., Investment Committees, regulatory returns).
• Experience supporting programme governance and implementing reporting frameworks aligned to business and regulatory needs.

Technical Skills & Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Engineering, Asset Management, Risk, Science).
• APM, PRINCE2, MSP or equivalent project/programme management qualifications strongly preferred.
• Strong numeracy and analytical skills with ability to interpret complex data and provide clear, actionable insight.
• Familiarity with Agile principles, programme assurance processes, and investment planning methodologies.

Personal Attributes

• Highly motivated and proactive, with a solutions-focused mindset.
• Excellent planning, communication, and organisational skills.
• Able to operate in high-pressure, high-visibility roles, influencing outcomes at the most senior levels.
• Committed to continuous improvement and development of self and others.