Senior Partnership Lead

Storm overflows are very provocative and not acceptable to our customers and stakeholders. We want to lead the charge in resolving the current situation. That's where our Clean Rivers & Seas Task Force comes in, implementing pioneering and industry-leading solutions to reduce spills and reliance on overflows whilst also enhancing the environment for our communities. Currently delivering a £45million pathfinder programme which rapidly expands to £1.5billion over next 10 years. The programme has been very successful, and we are now expanding the team so we can continue to work in partnership to deliver a larger programme of sustainable and innovative interventions to reduce the use of storm overflows., Senior lead for the directorate's (Environment and Innovation) work to improve public awareness and perception of the company's environmental impact and innovative approaches we're taking to improve / protect it. Driving partnership action with customers, stakeholders, critics, local government, NGOs and partners, to reduce overflows and better manage surface water flow to prevent it entering our network. The role holder will be a pioneer for the partnership delivery arm of the function (seeking joint working and funding opportunities), as well as provide strategic and senior input on our Environment and Innovation team comms / engagement strategy; overseeing content creation as SME, working with Brand and Corporate Affairs teams to deliver impactful messages and ensure alignment across the business. This role will act as deputy to the Head of Strategic Partnerships.

• Strategic oversight and management of partnership delivery of the Task Force.
• Drive commercial decision making to deliver value for money and impactful Southern Water partnership overflow reduction schemes.
• Act as primary SME for the business and strategically input into the delivery of campaigns, messaging and engagement to ensure consistent and understood narrative around CSOs, catchment and innovation initiatives.
• Develop strong partnerships with external organisations and stakeholders to support the delivery of the CSO reduction projects by unlocking funding and through strong communication and engagement approaches.
• Influence customer, stakeholder, community groups' perception of Environment and Innovation work and the need to deliver action quickly and in partnership., Please note : If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application. All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.
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• Drive to deliver sustainable solutions that provide value for customers and the environment.
• Exceptional communicator to a wide range of stakeholders (from customers to MPs).
• Inspiring leader to support and drive a high achieving team.
• Demonstrable experience in delivering programmes, campaigns and / or schemes that influence behaviour / produce action.
• Experienced in public speaking and development of engagement resources.
• Strong planning and delivery skills to ensure outcomes and outputs are met and exceeded.
• Relationship management and influencing strategy.
• Stakeholder management.
• Ability to distil technical information into appropriate messaging for the audience.
• Can do attitude and can overcome challenges and obstacles.
This is a unique opportunity to join a high performing and highly engaged team who are delivering a large innovative programme in partnership using sustainable and nature-based approaches to reduce the use of storm overflows and improve the environment. We know that over-use of storm overflows is a problem, so we are excited to invite you to be part of the solution!

This role will be full time Monday to Friday with either one day a week in our Durrington office or a remote approach to working with regional site visits / meetings. We are offering a salary circa £70,000 as well as other benefits including :
• Generous pension up to 11% company contribution
• 25 days annual leave
• Life assurance equal to 4x salary
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
• Health Cash Plan
• Full funded eye tests
• Two paid volunteering days a year
• Occupational health service
• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
• Digital GP service
• Study support may be available for job-related qualifications
• Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options
• Cycle to work scheme
Join our Clean Rivers & Seas Task Force and see how far your career could progress with a company committed to career progression, training and development opportunities, our customers and the environment. Does this opportunity excite you but you're not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that 'normal' office hours aren't possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can't accommodate every flexible working request, we'll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?