Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose
If you would like to know a bit more about this opportunity, or are considering applying, then please read the following job information.
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.
We are seeking an exceptional Water Asset Director to lead the strategic management of our water asset portfolio. Based in Exeter with a hybrid working model, this is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring assets are managed across their full lifecycle to optimise performance, manage risk, and deliver outstanding regulatory and customer outcomes.
You will play a key role in shaping long-term asset strategies, investment planning, and governance frameworks that enhance resilience, sustainability, and efficiency across the business.
What you'll be doing:
* Lead and define the water asset management strategy, policy, and governance frameworks.
* Own asset health, performance, lifecycle optimisation, and risk management across the portfolio.
* Provide portfolio-level oversight of asset performance, including interdependencies and system impacts.
* Identify, assess, and prioritise capital investment opportunities and sponsor major programmes from an asset owner perspective.
* Ensure robust asset data, information strategy, and assurance processes.
* Drive regulatory engagement, providing evidence-based submissions and ensuring compliance with all statutory obligations (including dam safety).
* Deliver clear and actionable commercial insights, reporting, and performance tracking.
* Lead and develop a high-performing, multi-disciplinary asset management team.
* Foster a strong culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
What we're looking for:
You are a strategic and experienced leader with a passion for asset excellence and delivering long-term value.
You'll bring:
* A proven track record of developing and implementing asset strategies and investment plans
* Strong experience managing large, complex asset portfolios
* Expertise in asset risk, health, and lifecycle management
* Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and driving organisational performance
* Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance
* A passion for building high-performing teams and driving cultural change
Qualifications
* Degree in Engineering, Asset Management, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience)
* Professional accreditation (e.g., IAM, ICE, CIWEM) - desirable
What's in it for you:
We know our people drive our success - so we're committed to offering an excellent range of benefits, including:
* 30 days annual leave + bank holidays
* Bonus Plan
* Private Healthcare
* Company car or cash for car allowance
* Competitive contributory pension
* Share-save scheme
* Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes
* Group discounts
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Financial support services
* Development and training opportunities
... and much more!
Closing Date: 29th May 2026
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
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. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
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. xsngvjr Own the challenge.