Pennon Group
Head of Wastewater Treatment
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Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose
At Pennon Group, we’re proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power, we’re leading the way in water and renewables.
We’re proud to be recognised as 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.
Shape the future of wastewater treatment and environmental performance
At South West Water, we're investing in the resilience, sustainability and performance of our wastewater network like never before. As part of this journey, we're looking for a Head of Wastewater Treatment to lead the strategy, planning and optimisation of our wastewater treatment assets, helping us deliver better outcomes for our customers, communities and the environment.
This is a rare opportunity to influence major investment decisions, drive regulatory performance and play a leading role in shaping the future of wastewater treatment across a diverse and complex asset base.
Due to the nature of the role and the need to build strong relationships across the business, regular presence in our Exeter office is required.
What you'll be doing:
As Head of Wastewater Treatment, you'll provide strategic leadership across our wastewater treatment asset portfolio, ensuring our investment plans, operational performance and asset strategies deliver safe, compliant and resilient services.
Key responsibilities include:
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- Leading the development and implementation of wastewater treatment asset strategies.
- Identifying and prioritising investment needs across maintenance, growth and enhancement programmes.
- Owning and driving the wastewater compliance action plan to achieve regulatory performance targets.
- Providing technical leadership on wastewater treatment processes, compliance and asset performance.
- Supporting business planning, Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs) and future price review submissions.
- Championing the use of asset health data, risk-based decision making and whole-life costing principles.
- Driving initiatives that reduce pollution risk and improve environmental outcomes.
- Leading and developing a high-performing team of technical specialists and asset professionals.
What we're looking for:
We're looking for a strategic leader with deep technical expertise in wastewater treatment and a passion for delivering positive environmental outcomes.
You'll bring:
- Significant leadership experience within water, wastewater, utilities or a comparable asset-intensive industry.
- Strong knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, regulatory compliance and environmental performance.
- Experience developing asset strategies, investment plans and long-term business cases.
- Understanding of regulatory frameworks, asset management principles and capital investment processes.
- Strong commercial acumen and experience balancing risk, performance and whole-life cost considerations.
- The ability to influence senior stakeholders and work effectively across multiple disciplines.
- Experience supporting business planning, regulatory submissions or similar strategic planning activities.
Qualifications
- Degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering or a related discipline.
- Chartered Engineer status (or working towards chartership) with IChemE, CIWEM or an equivalent professional body.
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Why join us?
This is an opportunity to make a significant impact on the environment and the communities we serve. You'll influence major investment decisions, help reduce pollution incidents, improve river and coastal water quality, and play a key role in delivering sustainable wastewater services for the future.
In return, you'll join a business that is investing heavily in its assets, people and environmental performance, with the opportunity to work alongside passionate experts who are committed to making a difference every day.
- 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: 11th September 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.
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