Technical Lead

Closing Date

JobTitle: Technical Lead

Location: Chatham Horsham Otterbourne

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37

Salary: From 40000 based on skills and experience

About the role:

The Technical lead will provide operational leadership and technical oversight for the Audit & Investigations Team ensuring that investigations audits and legal casework are executed to a consistent compliant and auditable standard.

The role is responsible for providing field supervision ensuring the quality and compliance of audits overseeing the preparation and review of legal case packs and coordinating activities across the team to support effective operational delivery.

By managing operational workloads and maintaining adherence to defined protocols the Technical Lead supports the Audit & Investigations Manager in fulfilling governance compliance and regulatory responsibilities enabling the effective delivery of a proactive evidenceled function

What you will be responsible for:

The role requires the ability to demonstrate a high level of analytical thinking and sound investigative judgement particularly when reviewing suspected unauthorised or noncompliant connections.

You will be expected to apply coaching mentoring and influencing skills to support the Audit & Investigation team in improving performance embedding sustainable behavioural change and ensuring consistent adherence to Southern Waters policies statutory obligations and relevant industry standards.

• Provide daily operational oversight of field activities to support the Network Audit & Investigations team and ensure effective deployment across Southern Waters operational area.
• Lead the technical review of audits including audit of audits standpipe case files and evidence submissions ensuring accuracy consistency and compliance with required standards.
• Oversee the preparation quality assurance and timely completion of legal packs required for enforcement and costrecovery actions relating to non-compliant connections and hydrant/standpipe misuse.
• Conduct fieldbased support and coaching to Audit and Investigation team members ensuring consistent standards in evidence gathering case handling and operational compliance.
• Support Investigators out in the field on a regular basis ensuring high quality operational delivery
• Coordinate the teams contribution to multidisciplinary operational activities including DWI audits standpipe and hydrant inspections non-compliant connection investigations and health and safety audits.
• Ensure operational compliance by monitoring audit outputs identifying noncompliance trends and escalating issues appropriately to support regulatory requirements.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders and contractors to resolve issues relating to illegal connections standpipe use and compliance breaches ensuring cases progress effectively.
• Maintain oversight of evidence management processes and casefile workflows to ensure investigative activity is robust auditable and aligned with enforcement requirements
  

What youll bring to the role:

• Comfortable with internal reporting and the use of GRC tools
• Experience conducting operational compliance or regulatory investigations within a utilities enforcement or technical field environment.
• Proven knowledge of water distribution networks non-compliant connection risks standpipe management and hydrant misuse controls.
• Strong understanding of audit methodology compliance testing and health and safety/water hygiene requirements.
• Ability to mentor coach and influence field teams to improve standards and behaviours.
• Highlevel analytical skills with the ability to identify trends assess risks and interpret complex operational evidence.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present findings clearly and professionally to senior stakeholders.
• Prior experience producing evidence files or legal packs for enforcement cost recovery or regulatory action.
• Full clean UK driving licence and expectation to work across the entire operational area.
  

Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britains 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.

You will be joining at a time of significant change working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact influence major strategic decisions and drive long-term value creation

Our mission is to protect and enhance life through waterand we need passionate people to help us achieve it. If youre inspired by our purpose and believe you can contribute apply today. You dont need to meet every criterion; what matters most is your drive to make a difference.

If this role isnt quite what youre looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself (- 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 Waters 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 preemployment 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.