Alternative Water Supply Manager

About the role

South West Water is seeking an Alternative Water Supply (AWS) Manager to lead the planning, coordination and delivery of alternative water supplies across the South West region. The role sits at the heart of operational resilience, ensuring customers, communities and vulnerable users receive water when normal supplies are disrupted.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and maintain AWS plans and operational readiness, managing a network of coordinators, administrators and volunteers.
• Coordinate bottled‑water, tankering, logistics, equipment, stock levels and supplier readiness during supply interruptions.
• Build and maintain relationships with critical customers such as hospitals, prisons, schools and major businesses.
• Act as operational lead during incidents, overseeing resources, priorities, risks and customer support, including Priority Services Register and vulnerable customers.
• Support regulatory compliance, reporting and Guaranteed Standards Scheme obligations, and drive continuous improvement through exercises and lessons learned.

Required profile

• Operational, logistics, incident‑management or emergency‑response experience.
• Strong stakeholder‑management and relationship‑building abilities.
• Proven experience leading teams and coordinating resources to deliver results.
• Excellent communication, numerical and IT skills.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to work out‑of‑hours and weekends when required.

What we offer

• Generous annual leave starting from 25 days plus bank holidays.
• Annual bonus scheme and competitive pension.
• Life assurance, income protection and enhanced family leave.
• Health cash plan, employee assistance programme and free flu vaccination.
• Cycle‑to‑work, car‑share schemes, free on‑site parking and canteen.
• Volunteer day and retail discounts.