Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager

Closing Date

Job Title: Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager (Kent)

Location: Hybrid working between office and home (2-3 days pw). This role will cover the Kent region, so travel across this area will be required.

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday

Salary: Competitive salary commensurate to experience + £400 monthly car allowance and bonus up to 10%.

Job Overview

Southern Water is committed to building strong, trusted relationships with the communities we serve. As a Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager, you'll be the face of Southern Water in your region, acting as an ambassador and single point of contact for key stakeholders across local authorities, community groups, NGOs, regulators, and more.

This is a pivotal role in our Corporate Affairs team, ensuring our plans and priorities are clearly understood, and that stakeholders have the opportunity to shape and co-deliver solutions. You'll lead proactive engagement programmes, manage complex issues, and collaborate with colleagues across Public Affairs, Major Projects, Capital Delivery, and Communications to protect and enhance our reputation.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to

• Design and deliver proactive engagement programmes to build understanding and trust.
• Act as the relationship owner for stakeholders in your region, building strong personal connections with council leaders, senior officers, and community representatives.
• Coordinate engagement across multiple teams and projects, ensuring consistent, evidence-based messaging.
• Oversee reactive engagement on local operational issues, including councillor casework and site visits.
• Monitor local political and stakeholder activity, providing insight to inform business decisions.
• Line manage a Stakeholder Engagement Manager and work collaboratively across Corporate Affairs.

About You

We're looking for an experienced engagement professional with:

• Expert understanding of local government and NGOs, ideally gained through direct experience.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including MPs and council leaders.
• Experience in regulated industries or infrastructure sectors is desirable.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage complex issues under pressure and deliver to tight deadlines.

Package

This role will be full time Monday to Friday with a hybrid approach to working between

We are offering a salary of up to depending on skills and experience as well as other benefits including:

• Company and performance-related bonus

• Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution

• Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary

• Health benefits through a Cash Plan

• Two paid community volunteering days a year

• 25 days annual holiday

• Occupational health service

• Retail benefits offering discounts and savings on several products and experiences

• Study support may be available for job-related qualifications

• We offer competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave, and flexible return to work options

Join Southern Water and see how far your career could progress with a company committed to career progression, training and development opportunities, our customers and the environment.

Why Southern Water?

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 , 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.

At Southern Water, diversity and inclusion are core values. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an environment where every individual is empowered to succeed.

This is more than a role; it's an opportunity to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact. Apply now to be part of our transformational journey.

*Please note that applications will be reviewed in the New Year so there may be a delay between your application and feedback. We aim to respond as promptly as possible to all applicants in January. Interviews will be held on the 15th and 19th January.*