Head of Health, Safety & Security Operational Enablement

Closing Date

2026-10-22

Job Title: Head of Health, Safety & Security Operational Enablement

Location: Durrington, West Sussex (hybrid)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £competitive - commensurate with skills and experience + car allowance

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

To lead the operational enablement function for Health, Safety and Security across Southern Water, ensuring the HSS team has the frameworks, systems, data, reporting, training, engagement, equipment and coordination needed to deliver a proactive, risk-led and assurance-driven service. The role will strengthen governance, reduce duplication, improve digital capability and enable consistent delivery of the Safety and Security Plan across Southern Water and its supply chain.

What you will be responsible for

• Lead the HSS Operational Enablement team, creating clear priorities, standards and ways of working that support effective delivery across health, safety, security and wellbeing.

• Own and continuously improve the HSS management system, frameworks, procedures, governance documents and supporting tools, ensuring they are simple, current, risk-based and practical for operational use.

• Lead the development and delivery of HSS training, competence and engagement activity, ensuring colleagues and leaders understand the standards, behaviours and actions required to work safely and securely.

• Oversee HSS systems, data, reporting and insight, ensuring that leaders receive accurate, timely and meaningful information on performance, risk, assurance, actions and emerging trends.

• Coordinate HSS business planning, performance routines, governance cycles and reporting requirements, including support for Executive and Board-level updates where required.

What you’ll bring to the role

• Significant experience leading an enabling, governance, operational support, transformation, business management or performance function within a complex operational organisation.

• Experience improving systems, processes, reporting, governance, training coordination or management frameworks in a health, safety, security, risk, people, operational or regulated environment.

• Experience building high-performing teams, setting clear service expectations and managing competing priorities across multiple stakeholders.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in business management, health and safety, security, risk management, operational improvement, programme management, data, systems or a related discipline.
• Relevant qualification in project management, change management, continuous improvement, business analysis, health and safety or security is desirable.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to set direction, build capability and create a clear, service-focused culture.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, able to work confidently with senior leaders, technical specialists, operational teams and enabling functions.
• Strong analytical capability, able to interpret data, identify trends, simplify complexity and translate insight into practical action

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?