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.

We’re looking for an exceptional Wastewater Asset Director to join our senior leadership team, based in Exeter with hybrid working. Reporting to the Chief Asset Officer, you will lead the strategic management of wastewater assets across their full lifecycle. Ensuring optimal performance, resilience, and value for customers, regulators, and the business.

This is a pivotal role where you’ll shape long-term asset strategy, drive investment priorities, and lead a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team. You’ll play a key part in delivering regulatory commitments and supporting sustainable, future-ready infrastructure.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the wastewater asset management strategy, policies, and frameworks

• Own asset performance, health, risk, and lifecycle optimisation

• Oversee asset risk management and ensure transparency of risk exposure

• Provide strategic oversight of asset portfolios and performance insights

• Sponsor and guide capital investment programmes from an asset owner perspective

• Drive excellence in asset data, information, and governance

• Engage with regulators and stakeholders to support evidence-based submissions

• Ensure compliance with all statutory and safety requirements

• Deliver portfolio performance reporting and commercial insight

• Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing asset management function

What we're looking for:

You’re a strategic, influential leader with deep expertise in asset management within utilities or other asset-intensive, regulated environments.

You’ll bring:

• A proven track record of developing and implementing asset strategies and investment plans

• Strong experience managing large, complex asset portfolios

• Expertise in asset risk, health, and lifecycle management

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and driving organisational performance

• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance

• A passion for building high-performing teams and driving cultural change

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Asset Management, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience)

• Professional accreditation (e.g., IAM, ICE, CIWEM) – desirable

What's in it for you:

We know our people drive our success — so we’re committed to offering an excellent range of benefits, including:

• 30 days annual leave + bank holidays

• Bonus Plan

• 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!

If you’re ready to lead at scale and make a meaningful impact on critical infrastructure, we’d love to hear from you. Closing Date: 29th May 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.