Closing Date 2026-07-02 Job Title: Metering Assurance Lead Location: Durrington, Worthing – Hybrid working Contract Type: Permanent Hours: 37 Salary: Up to £55k based on skills and experience About the role: The Metering Assurance Lead is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of quality assurance across the end-to-end smart metering programme. This role supports a key strategic initiative aimed at reducing water abstraction, minimising environmental and carbon impact, and improving operational efficiency. Through the implementation of smart metering, Southern Water seeks to enhance customer engagement, enable more accurate usage insights, and support the identification of leakage, ultimately improving overall customer experience. What you will be responsible for: Reporting to the Smart Operational Centre Manager, the Metering Assurance Lead is accountable for developing, implementing, and maintaining robust quality assurance processes and standards across all stages of smart meter installation and operation. The role requires close collaboration with internal teams, including the Smart Operations Centre, as well as external partners such as the Alternative Metering Service (AMS) provider. The postholder will monitor supplier performance against agreed KPIs, conduct regular audits, and drive continuous improvement to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality installations and reliable data. The role also includes leading a team responsible for data quality and assurance activities, ensuring that data integrity is maintained throughout the programme. The Metering Assurance Lead is responsible for identifying and mitigating risks, supporting project planning and delivery, and providing clear, accurate reporting to senior stakeholders. Effective communication of performance, issues, and recommendations is essential to support decision-making and programme success. The role is ultimately responsible for ensuring that quality, compliance, and data accuracy are embedded within the smart metering programme, contributing to operational excellence and improved customer outcomes. Quality Assurance Management: Develop and implement new QA process and procedures ensuring compliance with industry standards and conducting regular audits. Collaboration with AMS Provider: Monitor AMS partners quality performance, provide guidance on SW best practices and facilitate regular performance reviews. End to End Journey Oversight: Oversee the smart meter installation process to maintain quality, identify and mitigate potential issues and ensure data quality through high standards of installations. Reporting & Documentation: Prepare detailed QA reports and maintain accurate documentation. Provide regular performance updates to senior stakeholders. Stakeholder Communication: Communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner. Support Project Management: Assist in the development of project plans, timelines, and resource allocation. Risk Management: Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure project success Line Management: Lead a team of staff responsible for managing data quality What you’ll bring to the role: Understanding of quality assurance and basic audit processes Knowledge of end‑to‑end delivery, including field work and suppliers Understanding of KPIs, SLAs, and performance monitoring Awareness of data accuracy and data quality principles Basic understanding of risk, compliance, and controls in regulated environments A full, UK Driving Licence & access to a vehicle. Essential Proficient with Microsoft Office suite Project delivery experience with structured governance Desirable Knowledge of Water industry regulatory frameworks People management or leadership qualification 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 with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation “Your potential matters more than a perfect checklist. If this role excites you and you believe you can make an impact, we want to hear from you! Skills can be learned—passion, drive, and fresh perspectives are what truly set candidates apart. Don’t hesitate—take the leap and apply!” If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself (myworkdaysite.com- Introduce Yourself) Our Commitment to Diversity 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. Additional information: In line with Southern Water’s security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years. Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all pre‑employment checks, including security vetting. Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation. Our purpose is big. Our impact is huge. And we know that every single one of us has the power, through our actions, to positively change society and the environment for good. It’s why careers with us have real meaning. Because, if you’re driven and ambitious, we can offer you huge opportunities for personal growth, professional development and constant innovation. Forever evolving. Forever focused on doing the right thing, we empower and encourage everyone to play to their strengths and to help us shape a fair and positive future for all. We believe in Water for Life. If you do too, Dive Right In. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That’s why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve. Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position. Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?
