Data Analytics Lead

Closing Date

2026-08-21

Job: Data Analytics Lead

Location: Durrington, West Sussex

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: from £52k

About the role

Southern Water is undertaking one of the most ambitious transformations in the UK water sector.

Over the next five years, we will invest £7.8bn to improve resilience, environmental performance, operational performance and customer outcomes. Digital, Data, Analytics and AI are central to that transformation. We are building a future where data is not simply collected and reported on, but actively drives decisions, actions and value creation across the organisation.

Our Data & Analytics Strategy sets out an ambitious vision: to transform Southern Water from a data-aware organisation into a truly data-driven water company. We aim to embed analytics into the heart of how we operate, turning data into a strategic asset that improves decisions, enables intelligent automation, enhances customer outcomes and helps us meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry.

This is a rare opportunity to help build that future.

As our Data Analytics Lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping how analytics creates value across Southern Water. You will influence strategy, define standards, develop capability and help ensure that insight is consistently translated into better decisions and measurable business outcomes.

This is more than a leadership role. It is an opportunity to help shape the future analytics operating model of a major utility organisation, influence executive decision making, develop analytical talent and establish the standards and practices that will define how analytics is delivered across the business for years to come.

If you are passionate about turning data into action, developing high-performing teams and creating lasting organisational impact, we would love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

Drive the Analytics Vision

• Own and evolve the analytics roadmap, ensuring delivery is aligned to Southern Water's strategic priorities, regulatory commitments and business outcomes.
• Help shape the future of analytics across the organisation, influencing how data, analytics and AI are used to improve decisions and performance.
• Ensure analytics activity remains focused on measurable business value rather than technical outputs.

Influence Decisions at Every Level

• Partner with senior leaders across operations, engineering, customer services, digital and corporate functions.
• Frame complex business challenges and help stakeholders understand how analytics can improve outcomes.
• Drive greater adoption of insight and evidence-based decision making across the organisation.
• Act as a trusted advisor on analytical approaches, opportunities and priorities.

Establish Standards and Analytical Excellence

• Define and maintain analytical methodologies, standards, frameworks and quality controls.
• Review and approve complex analytical designs and approaches.
• Ensure analytical outputs are trusted, repeatable, transparent and fit for purpose.
• Lead analytical governance, assurance and risk management activities within your domain.

Build Capability and Grow Talent

• Lead, coach and develop analytics professionals across different levels of experience.
• Create clear development pathways and support continuous learning.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing environment where analysts can do their best work.
• Help build a culture of curiosity, experimentation and continuous improvement.

Lead Our Analytics Community

• Own and lead Southern Water's Analytics Community of Practice.
• Curate standards, best practice guidance, reusable patterns and learning materials.
• Promote collaboration across analytical teams and business units.
• Help establish a consistent and scalable approach to analytics across the organisation.

What Success Looks Like

• In this role, you will help create an environment where:
• Business decisions are increasingly informed by trusted insights and evidence.
• Analytics is recognised as a strategic enabler of organisational performance.
• Analytical standards are consistently applied across teams.
• Analysts have clear development opportunities and thrive within a supportive community.
• Data, analytics and AI capabilities contribute directly to operational, customer, environmental and regulatory outcomes.
• Southern Water continues its journey towards becoming a truly data-driven organisation.

What You'll Bring

Essential

• Experience defining and implementing analytics strategies that deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Strong capability in establishing analytical standards, governance frameworks and quality controls.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrable experience leading, coaching and developing analytical talent.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including directing complex multi-method and multi-source analytical work.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of translating complex analysis into clear, compelling and actionable narratives for executive audiences.
• Experience providing technical and strategic leadership across modern analytics ecosystems, including data pipelines, analytical modelling and visualisation approaches.
• Expertise working with platforms and tools such as Databricks, Alteryx, Power BI and statistical analysis techniques.
• A strong focus on value creation and ensuring analytics translates into better business decisions.

Desirable

• Experience evaluating analytics platforms, technologies or vendors.
• Knowledge of model governance, assurance frameworks or analytical risk management.
• Experience operating within regulated industries.
• Familiarity with Data Science, AI or advanced analytical techniques and their practical application to business challenges.

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

At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need.

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.

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