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.
Join South West Water’s Strategic Resource Options Programme
Strategic Resource Options Programme
Exeter or Bristol HQ | Hybrid working | Full-time
South West Water is delivering one of the most ambitious infrastructure programmes in the UK—our £4bn+ Strategic Resource Options (SRO) programme. We are seeking a Risk Manager to play a pivotal role at the heart of this transformation.
This is an opportunity to influence major infrastructure delivery, support critical decision-making, and help ensure long-term resilience of water resources for customers and communities.
As Risk Manager, you will lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the programme-wide risk management framework across a diverse portfolio of major water infrastructure projects.
You will work across reservoirs, transfer pipelines, water recycling, treatment infrastructure and enabling works, ensuring risks are proactively identified, assessed and managed throughout the programme lifecycle.
You will collaborate with programme teams, delivery partners, consultants and senior stakeholders to embed a strong, proactive risk culture and deliver robust insight to support decision-making.
Lead and embed a programme-wide risk management framework across the SRO portfolio
Establish consistent risk standards, governance and reporting processes
Ensure risk processes are consistent with the Pennon risk management approach
Regular liaison with the central risk team
Identify, assess and manage strategic and project risks
Facilitate risk workshops and scenario planning with key stakeholders
Maintain risk registers, dashboards and insightful reporting for senior leadership
Monitor emerging risks impacting cost, schedule and delivery
Provide clear analysis of risk trends, exposure and mitigation effectiveness
Support assurance activities, audits and regulatory submissions
Integrate risk management with programme controls, planning and forecasting
Contribute to quantitative risk analysis (cost and schedule)
Build strong relationships across teams, partners and stakeholders
Promote a proactive, transparent risk management culture
Coach and support teams to strengthen risk capability
Significant experience in risk management within major infrastructure or capital delivery environments
Experience working on complex, large-scale programmes (utilities, water, energy, transport or construction)
Strong understanding of risk management methodologies across enterprise, programme and project levels
Experience facilitating risk workshops and engaging with senior stakeholders
Ability to communicate complex risk information clearly to senior leadership
Degree in Risk Management, Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management or related discipline
APM Risk Certificate (or equivalent)
PRINCE2 Practitioner, MSP or similar programme management qualification
Experience with programme controls systems and risk management software
Knowledge of quantitative risk analysis techniques (e.g. Monte Carlo)
Experience in major project delivery and regulated environments
Be part of a nationally significant infrastructure programme
Influence delivery of critical water resource solutions
Work in a collaborative, multi-stakeholder environment
Shape and embed best practice risk management at programme scale
Gain exposure to complex regulatory, commercial and delivery challenges
At South West Water, we believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our SRO Risk Manager, you’ll enjoy:
Competitive Salary – Based on experience and expertise
Company Car or Car Allowance – Supporting your role
Annual Bonus Scheme – Rewarding performance
Pension Scheme – Helping you plan for your future
Healthcare Benefits – Including private healthcare and wellbeing support
Professional Development – Ongoing training and career progression
Employee Discounts – Across a range of services
Generous Annual Leave – Supporting your work-life balance
Closing Date: Thursday 9th July 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.
