Technical Lead

Southern Water

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Technical lead will provide operational leadership and technical oversight for the Audit & Investigations Team, ensuring that investigations, audits, and legal casework are executed to a consistent, compliant, and auditable standard. The role is responsible for providing field supervision, ensuring the quality and compliance of audits, overseeing the preparation and review of legal case packs, and coordinating activities across the team to support effective operational delivery. By managing operational workloads and maintaining adherence to defined protocols, the Technical Lead supports the Audit & Investigations Manager in fulfilling governance, compliance, and regulatory responsibilities, enabling the effective delivery of a proactive, evidence‑led function.

Requirements

Comfortable with internal reporting and the use of GRC tools.
Experience conducting operational, compliance, or regulatory investigations within a utilities, enforcement, or technical field environment.
Proven knowledge of water distribution networks, non-compliant connection risks, standpipe management, and hydrant misuse controls.
Strong understanding of audit methodology, compliance testing, and health and safety/water hygiene requirements.
Ability to mentor, coach, and influence field teams to improve standards and behaviours.
High‑level analytical skills, with the ability to identify trends, assess risks, and interpret complex operational evidence.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present findings clearly and professionally to senior stakeholders.
Prior experience producing evidence files or legal packs for enforcement, cost recovery, or regulatory action.
Full, clean UK driving licence and expectation to work across the entire operational area.

Responsibilities

Provide daily operational oversight of field activities to support the Network Audit & Investigations team, and ensure effective deployment across Southern Water’s operational area.
Lead the technical review of audits, including “audit of audits,” standpipe case files, and evidence submissions, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance with required standards.
Oversee the preparation, quality assurance, and timely completion of legal packs required for enforcement and cost‑recovery actions relating to non-compliant connections and hydrant/standpipe misuse.
Conduct field‑based support and coaching to Audit and Investigation team members, ensuring consistent standards in evidence gathering, case handling, and operational compliance.
Support Investigators out in the field on a regular basis, ensuring high quality operational delivery.
Coordinate the team’s contribution to multidisciplinary operational activities, including DWI audits, standpipe and hydrant inspections, non-compliant connection investigations, and health and safety audits.
Ensure operational compliance by monitoring audit outputs, identifying non‑compliance trends, and escalating issues appropriately to support regulatory requirements.
Liaise with internal stakeholders and contractors to resolve issues relating to illegal connections, standpipe use, and compliance breaches, ensuring cases progress effectively.
Maintain oversight of evidence management processes and case‑file workflows to ensure investigative activity is robust, auditable, and aligned with enforcement requirements.