Pennon Group
OT Maintenance Manager
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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.
Make a Difference Where Technology Meets Essential Services
Are you an experienced Operational Technology (OT), ICA or Automation professional looking for an opportunity to lead a skilled team while helping deliver critical services to millions of customers?
We're looking for an OT Maintenance Manager to lead the maintenance, performance, resilience and security of our operational technology assets across water and wastewater treatment operations. This is a fantastic opportunity to combine technical expertise, people leadership and continuous improvement in a role that directly supports essential infrastructure across our region.
What you'll be doing:
As OT Maintenance Manager, you'll lead a team of OT Maintenance Engineers, ICA Technicians and Maintenance Technicians, ensuring our operational technology and instrumentation assets remain reliable, secure and available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and developing a high-performing team of OT and ICA professionals
- Managing planned and reactive maintenance activities to maximise asset availability and performance
- Building strong relationships with operational teams to understand priorities and site criticality
- Driving the maintenance, reliability and optimisation of instrumentation, control and automation systems
- Providing technical leadership and support on complex operational issues and incidents
- Using data, trend analysis and root cause investigations to improve system reliability and inform investment decisions
- Supporting OT governance, cyber security and compliance requirements
- Ensuring the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing across your team
- Managing budgets and contributing to operational and capital expenditure planning
- Supporting continuous improvement initiatives and the development of future OT capabilities
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What we are looking for:
We're keen to hear from candidates with a strong background in industrial control systems, automation or ICA maintenance who are passionate about leadership and operational excellence.
- Experience working with process control and electrical systems
- Knowledge of PLCs, programming, industrial communications and instrumentation maintenance
- Experience within drinking water, wastewater or similar industrial process environments
- Understanding of risk assessments, method statements and safe systems of work
- Strong technical problem-solving and fault-finding capabilities
- Experience leading teams and driving performance
- Full UK driving licence
- Eligible to successfully complete UK Security Clearance (SC)
Qualifications
- Minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent), including Mathematics, English and a Science subject
- Relevant industrial control, instrumentation, electrical or automation qualification/apprenticeship
- ONC/HNC or equivalent in a related discipline
- Compliance with current IEE regulations
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Desirable
- IOSH or NEBOSH qualification
- Supervisory or management qualification
- Experience within Critical National Infrastructure environments
- Previous ICA maintenance leadership experience
- Experience managing telemetry, instrumentation and operational technology assets
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to play a vital role in maintaining and modernising critical infrastructure while leading a talented team of specialists. You'll have the opportunity to influence technology strategy, develop people, and help shape the future of operational technology across the business.
- Generous holiday allowance + bank holidays
- Jobs need car
- Discretionary bonus
- 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: 1st 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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