Portfolio Manager - Digital

Closing Date

18/03/2026

Portfolio Manager – Digital

Durrington, West Sussex (hybrid working)

Permanent

37 hours per week

Discussed at screening stage

Southern Water is embarking on one of the most ambitious digital transformation programmes in the UK utilities sector. We are modernising a complex legacy architecture, delivering modern scaleable solutions that enable value delivery and improve both business resilience and security as part of our AMP8 transformation journey.

To support this, we’re looking for a Digital Portfolio Manager with deep experience in technical programme delivery and portfolio leadership. This role requires someone who has personally led large scale technology transformations and now combines that hands‑on expertise with a strategic leadership ability to shape the delivery roadmap and develop a team of Project Managers across multi‑year delivery programmes.

As our Digital Portfolio Manager, you will drive the delivery of programmes that modernise our technology landscape—from infrastructure and networking upgrades to cloud migrations, data platform implementation, and the retirement of legacy systems.

You’ll work closely with architecture, engineering, cyber, and operational technology teams to ensure we deliver the right outcomes ’ll be accountable for both programme performance and portfolio level alignment to our long‑term digital strategy.

You will bring proven experience delivering major technology programmes such as:

• Large scale cloud migration initiatives (Azure or AWS)
• Infrastructure modernisation, including data centre consolidation, network transformation or SDWAN deployment
• Decommissioning and migrating from complex, highrisk legacy systems
• Leading multisupplier or multidisciplinary engineering teams through significant technical change

Your track record will demonstrate direct accountability for delivery—time, cost, quality, risk, technical scope and stakeholder alignment.

Building On Your Delivery Background, You Will Now

• Convert Digital strategy into actionable multiyear delivery roadmaps
• Prioritise and sequence programmes to maximise value and reduce technical debt
• Mobilise cross functional technical teams and set them up for successful execution
• Oversee portfolio delivery performance, identifying risks, gaps and opportunities
• Ensure architectural alignment and that technical decisions support longterm resilience
• Drive governance, financial management and programme assurance
• Support the development and capability of our internal delivery and engineering communities

What we’re looking for

• Deep experience directly delivering large-scale technology change programmes in complex environments
• Technical understanding across infrastructure, cloud, networking, data platforms and legacy migration
• Demonstrable experience modernising technology estates and reducing technical debt
• Strong stakeholder management, including architecture, engineering, suppliers and senior executives
• Experience shaping delivery strategies, governance and financial frameworks
• Track record of leading multidisciplinary teams and external delivery partners
• Relevant programme/portfolio delivery qualifications (e.g., MSP, PMP, PRINCE2, Agile)

• Experience delivering programmes with budgets of £5m–£20m+
• Background in enterprise digital transformation, utilities or similarly complex, regulated industries

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 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 witha clear visionfor 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, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. Ifyou’repassionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team,we’dlove to hear from you—even if youdon’ttick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need.

If this roleisn’tquite whatyou’relooking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here:
Introduce Yourself ( Yourself)

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.