Capital Programme Manager

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.

Lead Programmes That Shape Communities

At Pennon Group, we're investing in the infrastructure that provides essential services to millions of customers every day. As we enter an exciting period of capital investment and transformation, we're looking for an experienced Programme Manager to lead the successful delivery of major capital programmes across our infrastructure portfolio.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a programme valued at approximately £50m per annum, leading complex projects from concept through to completion while influencing strategic decision-making at the highest levels of the business.

If you're a strong leader who thrives in complex, regulated environments and is passionate about delivering safe, sustainable and customer-focused outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

What you'll be doing:

As Programme Manager, you'll provide strategic leadership across a portfolio of major infrastructure projects, ensuring delivery is safe, efficient, commercially robust and aligned to business objectives. You'll work closely with internal teams, framework partners, contractors and senior stakeholders to drive successful programme outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the end-to-end delivery of a multi-million-pound capital programme.

• Driving programme performance across cost, schedule, risk, quality and scope.

• Managing and developing multidisciplinary project teams and delivery partners.

• Providing robust governance, assurance and reporting to senior leadership.

• Maintaining strong commercial oversight across NEC contracts and supplier performance.

• Building trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, local authorities and supply chain partners.

• Championing a culture where everyone goes Home Safe.

What we're looking for:

We're keen to hear from experienced programme leaders who have successfully delivered large-scale capital programmes within infrastructure, utilities or other highly regulated sectors.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience managing major capital programmes and complex project portfolios.

• Strong leadership skills with experience leading multidisciplinary teams and delivery partners.

• Expertise in programme governance, controls, forecasting and risk management.

• Commercial acumen with strong NEC contract knowledge and experience.

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including engagement at executive level.

• The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced delivery environment.

• A commitment to safety, continuous improvement and high performance.

Ideally, you'll also have:

• Experience working client-side or for an asset-owning organisation.

• Experience within water, utilities, infrastructure or another regulated sector.

• Knowledge of programme controls, cost forecasting, Primavera P6 or earned value management.

• A degree in Engineering or a related discipline.

• Professional accreditation such as APM, Chartered Engineer or equivalent.

Why Join Us?

This is your chance to play a key role in delivering critical infrastructure that supports customers, communities and the environment. You'll join an organisation with ambitious investment plans, where safety, sustainability and innovation sit at the heart of everything we do.

• 30 days annual leave + bank holidays

• Bonus

• 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: 5th October 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. Own the challenge.