Closing Date
18/03/2026
Job:Portfolio Manager – Digital
Location:Durrington, West Sussex(hybrid working)
Contract Type:Permanent
Hours:37 hours per week
Salary:Discussed at screening stage
Southern Water is embarking on one of the most ambitious digital transformation programmes in the UK utilities sector. We are modernisingacomplex legacyarchitecture,delivering modern scaleable solutions that enable value delivery and improve both business resilience and security as part of ourAMP8transformation journey.
To support this, we’re looking for aDigitalPortfolio Manager with deep experience intechnical programme deliveryandportfolio leadership. This role requires someone who has personally led largescale technology transformations and now combines that hands-on expertise withastrategicleadershipability to shapethe delivery roadmap anddevelop a team of Project Managers across multi-year delivery programmes.
About the role
As our Digital Portfolio Manager, you will drive the delivery of programmes that modernise our technology landscape—from infrastructure and networking upgrades to cloud migrations, data platform implementation, and the retirement of legacy systems.
You’ll work closely with architecture, engineering, cyber, and operational technology teams to ensure we deliver the right outcomes at pace. You’ll be accountable for both programme performanceandportfoliolevel alignment to our long-term digital strategy.
This is a critical leadership position where your experience in direct technical programme delivery will inform how you shape roadmaps, mobilise engineering teams, challenge delivery decisions, and ensure the successful execution of complex work.
Key Responsibilities
You will bring proven experience delivering major technology programmes such as:
1. Largescale cloud migration initiatives (Azure or AWS)
2. Infrastructure modernisation, including data centre consolidation, network transformation or SDWAN deployment
3. Decommissioning and migrating from complex, highrisk legacy systems
4. Leading multisupplier or multidisciplinary engineering teams through significant technical change
Your track record will demonstrate direct accountability for delivery—time, cost, quality, risk, technical scope and stakeholder alignment.
Portfolio leadership
Building on your delivery background, you will now:
5. Convert Digital strategy into actionable multiyear delivery roadmaps
6. Prioritise and sequence programmes to maximise value and reduce technical debt
7. Mobilise crossfunctional technical teams and set them up for successful execution
8. Oversee portfolio delivery performance, identifying risks, gaps and opportunities
9. Ensure architectural alignment and that technical decisions support longterm resilience
10. Drive governance, financial management and programme assurance
11. Support thedevelopmentand capability of our internal delivery and engineering communities
What we’re looking for
Essential
12. Deep experience directly delivering large-scale technology change programmes in complex environments
13. Technical understanding across infrastructure, cloud, networking, data platforms and legacy migration
14. Demonstrable experience modernising technology estates and reducing technical debt
15. Strong stakeholder management, including architecture, engineering, suppliers and senior executives
16. Experience shaping delivery strategies, governance and financial frameworks
17. Track record of leading multidisciplinary teams and external delivery partners
18. Relevant programme/portfolio delivery qualifications (e.g., MSP, PMP, PRINCE2, Agile)
Desirable
19. Experience delivering programmes with budgets of £5m–£20m+
20. Background in enterprise digital transformation, utilities or similarly complex, regulated industries
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 2025-30, 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 (myworkdaysite.com- Introduce Yourself)
Our Commitment to Diversity
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We donot 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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