Contract Performance Engineer

Closing Date

2026-01-05

Job Title: Contract Performance Engineer

Location: Flexible

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37

Salary: Up to £45,000 - Depending on knowledge, skills and experience

About the role

As a Contractor Performance Engineer, you will provide a cost-effective maintenance solutions service to Southern Water’s operational sites, tenanted properties and external customers. To support the delivery and management of the operational contracts service.

The successful candidate would be responsible for the work life cycle; investigating cost effective options that meet operational needs, defining and communicating scope to contractors, managing the quality, cost and timely delivery of planned & reactive solutions and managing appropriate post-delivery close out.

You will be responsible for the contract administration of multiple contracts including cost and budget management, contract compliance, reporting and cost verification and Health & Safety performance of Contractors

What you will be responsible for:

This is an important role in the Company, where the post holder will be expected to use their skills and experience in financial and works management to ensure that projects and work programmes have robust cost and Health & Safety control.

We are looking for someone with strong interpersonal skills and who is adept at problem solving, whilst understanding the importance of being able to communicate effectively with both internal and external partners and stakeholders. Good negotiation skills with up-to-date knowledge of Health & Safety practices and contract management are essential for this role.

You will need to be a positive person who likes a challenge as this role will require you to manage and balance issues / problems against cost and budget restraints, but at the same time ensuring that essential works are carried out to the required standard avoiding a ‘Sticky Plaster’ situation.

What you’ll bring to the role:

Essential

• • Sound knowledge of maintenance work
• • Sound knowledge of environmental considerations.
• • Thorough knowledge of contract conditions
• • Good IT skills
• • Sound H&S knowledge to support delivery of maintenance work and reactive activities commercial effectiveness and business expertise
• • Skills to deliver cost effective solutions that meet the needs of Operations and Customers requiring a high degree of liaison between site owners / Customer and contractors and directly leading to delivery of stretching objectives
• • Skills in cost management and budget monitoring
• • Skills in cost analysis
• • Financial awareness
• • Risk and Compliance awareness with understanding of the risks associated with maintenance work and reactive work on operational activities e.g. wastewater compliance, pollutions, water quality etc.
• • Understanding of the H&S risks associated with different work streams and individual jobs.
• • Business Skills
• • Contract/Service Management
• • An understanding of operational activities as they are affected by the duties of this role.
• • Strong financial awareness
• • Strong influencing skills
• • Good negotiating ability
• • Build strong and effective working relationships with Contractors, Operations and other stakeholders

Leadership and Management

• • Ability to secure high levels of service from contractors ensuring contractor awareness of service and H&S requirements.
• • Mechanical/Electrical Experience and or Qualifications
• • Contract management Experience and or Qualification
• • Experience of SW operations
• • A good understanding/experience of maintenance work and reactive requirements
• • Knowledge of contract conditions and their applications
• • Understanding of supplier/contractor relationship management

• 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.