Area Manager - Clean Water

Join Tetra Tech and lead operational delivery on the South East Water contract across Kent, Sussex and Basingstoke. This commercially focused role combines operational leadership, people management and programme delivery within a key UK water utility framework.

You will supervise and coordinate operational teams delivering leak detection, data collection and customer side leakage (CSL) services across the South East Water region. Working across multiple locations, you will ensure programmes are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with contractual KPIs, leakage targets and client expectations.

The role involves leading field-based teams alongside office-based support functions, overseeing daily operations, workforce planning, performance management and fleet utilisation. You will play a key role in driving productivity, maintaining data accuracy, supporting reporting requirements and ensuring continuous improvement across all work streams.

Short term:
Stabilise and optimise delivery across leak detection, data and CSL programmes, improving productivity, field-to-office workflows and data quality.

Medium term:
Embed strong performance management, strengthen team capability, improve fleet utilisation and enhance commercial performance across all operational streams.

Long term:
Develop into a senior operational leader influencing regional delivery strategy, supporting framework growth and mentoring future supervisors and team leads.

You will directly contribute to reducing water leakage, improving network performance and supporting South East Water in meeting regulatory and environmental targets.

Commercial delivery and performance management

• Proven ability to manage operations against KPIs, leakage targets and productivity measures.
• Strong commercial awareness with a focus on efficiency, cost control and maximising output.
• Experience improving operational performance through data-led decision making.

Operational leadership and people management

• Experience leading, motivating and developing field-based and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage performance, attendance and development across multiple operatives.
• Confident coordinating resources across multiple sites and work streams simultaneously.

Fleet and resource management

• Experience overseeing fleet operations including utilisation, compliance, coordination and cost control.
• Ability to plan and deploy resources effectively to meet operational demand.

Health, safety and risk management

• Strong understanding of health, safety and environmental compliance within utilities operations.
• Experience delivering toolbox talks, site briefings and maintaining safe systems of work.

Client engagement and communication

• Confident liaising with client representatives, project managers and planners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to report clearly on performance and issues.

Technical and analytical proficiency

• Understanding of leak detection, data logging and customer side leakage (CSL) activities.
• Ability to interpret operational data, maintain accurate records and support reporting requirements.
• Competence using MS Office and operational systems for tracking and reporting delivery.

• NRSWA / Streetworks Supervisor qualification (desirable)
• Full UK driving licence

• Prince 2 (PM2)
• Experience with NEC contracts or similar UK water utility frameworks
• Commitment to ongoing professional development within utilities operations

Full-time role, 40hrs, typically Monday-Friday. This role comes with a salary of up to £45,000 (dependent on experience) and a car allowance of £4,000.

Based…