Southern Water
Private UK utility supplying drinking water and treating wastewater across southern England.
Senior Nature Based Solutions Specialist
Lead chalk stream restoration and nature‑based projects, managing delivery and stakeholder engagement.
Job Highlights
About the Role
The newly created senior specialist role will focus on chalk‑stream restoration and river‑restoration project management across Hampshire and Sussex, leading habitat enhancement at a landscape scale. The position combines technical expertise, stakeholder engagement and mentorship to drive the Catchment First Programme forward. • Support delivery of the regulatory programme, managing investigations, impact assessments, ecological schemes and compliance reporting. • Lead projects through the full lifecycle, ensuring outcomes are delivered on schedule and to high standards. • Engage with regulators (EA, NE), other water companies, catchment partnerships and internal teams to promote the Catchment First Programme. • Provide nature‑based solutions advice on ecology, planning, development and environmental policy to the wider business. • Represent Southern Water in industry forums and technical working groups to advocate the Catchment First approach. • Mentor and develop junior Nature Based Solutions Specialists, fostering professional growth. • Balance delivery models across catchments, coordinating specialist consultants, partnership work and in‑house delivery. • Manage project planning, permitting and delivery, including oversight of subcontracted consultancy teams.
Key Responsibilities
- ▸impact assessment
- ▸project management
- ▸regulatory reporting
- ▸habitat restoration
- ▸stakeholder engagement
- ▸mentoring
What You Bring
• Demonstrate expertise in ecology, river and wetland restoration, biodiversity enhancement and planning processes. • Hold a relevant degree (master’s or chartership desirable) and translate regulatory requirements into actionable work streams.
Requirements
- ▸ecology
- ▸river restoration
- ▸wetland restoration
- ▸biodiversity
- ▸master’s
- ▸chartership
Benefits
The position of Senior Nature Based Solutions Specialist closes on 27 February 2026. It is a permanent, full‑time role (37 hours, Monday to Friday) based flexibly in West Sussex or Hampshire, with one day per week on‑site in Durrington, West Sussex, and offers a salary of around £55,000, dependent on skills and experience. Southern Water is investing £7.8 billion between 2025‑30, offering a unique chance to influence strategic water‑service decisions while working in an inclusive, diverse environment that values personal growth and innovation. Employees are expected to support 24/7 incident response when needed, and the company aims to accommodate flexible working where possible.
Work Environment
Hybrid