Developer Services Senior Commercial Lead

Closing Date

2026-10-30

Job Title: Developer Services Senior Commercial Lead

Location: Durrington, West Sussex(hybrid – 2 days a week)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £70-75,000, depending on skills and experience

There has never been a more important time to join Southern Water. As we move through AMP8, we are delivering one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes in the industry, focused on improving environmental performance, service resilience and long‑term affordability for customers.

About the role

This is a brand-new role within our Developer Services function. You will lead the commercial and financial management of Developer Services, providing the commercial thread across all aspects of the function. The role will ensure strong financial control, governance and cost recovery, while supporting in-year charging, development of future charges, commercial assurance and financial discussions with partners and customers. Working closely with the Contracts Manager and wider Developer Services leadership team, the postholder will provide senior commercial advice, challenge and assurance across the full portfolio.

What you will be responsible for

• Own and develop the commercial strategy for Developer Services, ensuring contracting arrangements, commercial models, supplier strategies and financial controls support the operational, regulatory and financial objectives of the function.

• Lead the commercial management of Developer Services delivery contracts.

• Own the end-to-end commercial and financial control framework for Developer Services across water and wastewater activities.

• Be accountable for ensuring effective financial controls are established and maintained across expenditure, commitments, purchase orders, accruals, contractor payments, developer income, cost recovery, forecasting, reconciliation and financial close.

• Own the integrity, completeness and accuracy of the overall Developer Services financial position, ensuring material variances, financial exposures and control weaknesses are identified, understood and resolved.
• Provide assurance to the Head of Wholesale and Developer Services on the completeness and accuracy of financial reporting, forecasts, commercial exposure and cost recovery

What you’ll bring to the role

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance cost, risk and customer outcomes.

• Ability to challenge contractor valuations and compensation event submissions robustly and fairly.

• Ability to lead complex commercial negotiations and determine the appropriate commercial position in matters involving significant financial or contractual exposure.
• Strong analytical and financial modelling capability.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end financial control, with the ability to identify weaknesses in financial processes and implement effective corrective controls.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, particularly when working across operational, commercial and finance functions.
• Strong knowledge of commercial management principles within the utilities, construction or infrastructure sectors (highly desirable).
• Understanding of contractor payment mechanisms, valuations, applications for payment and final accounts.

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.

"Our mission is to protect and enhance life through water—and we need passionate people to help us achieve it. If you’re inspired by our purpose and believe you can contribute, apply today. You don’t need to meet every criterion; what matters most is your drive to make a difference."

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 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.

Additional information

In line with Southern Water’s security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years.

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all pre‑employment checks, including security vetting.

Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.

Welcome

Our purpose is big. Our impact is huge. And we know that every single one of us has the power, through our actions, to positively change society and the environment for good. It’s why careers with us have real meaning. Because, if you’re driven and ambitious, we can offer you huge opportunities for personal growth, professional development and constant innovation. Forever evolving. Forever focused on doing the right thing, we empower and encourage everyone to play to their strengths and to help us shape a fair and positive future for all. We believe in Water for Life. If you do too, Dive Right In.

We succeed together

Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That’s why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve. Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position.

Need flexibility in your work?

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?