Closing Date
26/02/2026
Job Title: Opportunity and Efficiencies Lead
Location: Falmer, hybrid working
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours a week
Salary: from £60k
About the role
We're looking for a Capital Delivery Efficiencies Lead to join our dynamic Capital Delivery team — a pivotal function responsible for driving smarter, more sustainable and more cost‑effective ways of delivering major water and wastewater infrastructure programmes.
You will be the subject‑matter expert championing efficiencies across our investment portfolio, ensuring that every scheme we deliver maximises value without compromising on regulatory commitments, operational excellence, or customer outcomes.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence how we deliver projects across the entire water cycle, shaping the future of efficiency within a business undertaking one of the most ambitious transformation journeys in the sector.
What you will be responsible for:
You'll lead the development, integration and assurance of efficiency opportunities across capital programmes—bringing insight, challenge and innovation to how we plan, design and deliver projects.
* Acting as custodian of the end‑to‑end efficiency process, developing and enhancing the frameworks that convert ideas into measurable value.
* Identifying and embedding cost‑optimisation opportunities across project cost plans, ensuring efficiencies align with quality and compliance requirements.
* Collaborating with senior programme leads, delivery teams and finance to align efficiency ambitions with business and regulatory expectations.
* Leading detailed reviews of project scopes, schedules and budgets to assess deliverability and ensure efficiency objectives are embedded from the outset.
* Providing expert guidance on efficiency mapping, assurance processes and trade‑offs against key regulatory commitments.
* Conducting predictive analytical reviews of the efficiency pipeline to ensure deliverability in line with industry standards and business priorities.
Additional requirements specific to this role
* Occasional travel across operational and project sites.
* May be required to support out‑of‑hours project assurance during critical delivery phases.
* Alignment with regulatory planning cycles (e.g., AMP periods) is essential.
What you'll bring to the role
Essential
* Strong ability to identify, analyse and integrate efficiency opportunities into constrained or complex budgets.
* Deep expertise in project delivery methodologies within the water sector or similar regulated industries.
* Advanced analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, uncover insights and drive decisions.
* Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, compliance requirements and the industry landscape.
* Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, able to challenge and inspire at all levels.
Desirable
* Knowledge of Lean methodologies, value engineering or continuous improvement frameworks.
* Experience using digital project management or data modelling tools.
Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain's water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.
You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation.
At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we'd love to hear from you—even if you don't tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need.
If this role isn't quite what you're looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself Introduce Yourself)
Our Commitment to Diversity
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
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