Engagement and EDI Manager

Closing Date 2025-08-29Engagement and EDI ManagerLocation: Hybrid working, WorthingPerm/FTC: PermanentHours: 37 hrsSalary: Up to £52,000 based on experienceSouthern Water are not just passionate about water, but also the people within our team who make it happen. We are now looking for an Engagement and EDI Manager who will be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring targeted Programmes and initiatives that promote employee engagement, equity, diversity, and inclusion within Southern Water.This role will collaborate with various departments to foster an inclusive culture, ensuring all employees feel valued and supported. The Engagement and EDI Manager will lead efforts to create a diverse workforce and an equitable workplace through strategic planning and implementation, training, and community outreach. As part of this role, you will be responsible for: Engagement Strategy Implementation: Design and implement targeted employee engagement plans that enhance positive workplace sentiment and respond to engagement survey results. Develop and administer employee surveys (currently Culture Amp) to gauge engagement levels and identify areas for improvement both enterprise wide, and in individual directorates. Create realistic initiatives to foster a positive work environment, recognising and addressing factors that contribute to employee satisfaction and retention. EDI Programme Management: Develop, implement, and manage EDI Programmes and policies that align with the Southern Water strategic goals. Promote awareness of EDI issues through training, workshops, and other educational opportunities. Collaboration and Communication: Work closely with business leadership, HR, and other departments to integrate EDI principles into all aspects of the Southern Water operations and business functions. Serve as a resource and advisor for employees at all levels on issues related to diversity, inclusion, and engagement. Facilitate open communication and discussion about EDI topics across the business. Training and Development: Select and/or deliver suitable engaging training solutions on topics to support our ambitions and workforce understanding which essentially promotes a growth mindset across our business. Provide coaching and support to managers and teams to help them create inclusive environments. Stay current with EDI best practices and emerging trends, integrating this knowledge into training Programmes. Policy and Compliance: Ensure Southern Water complies with relevant EDI-related laws and regulations. Review and update company policies with HR Partners to promote inclusivity and address systemic barriers. Handle complaints and issues related to discrimination and harassment, with HR and ensure proper resolution and governance. Community Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with external organizations and community groups that support EDI efforts. Represent the SW at community events and diversity-related initiatives. Partner with our recruitment team to ensure diverse talent pipelines and inclusive hiring practices. Partner with our Allies and Employee Resource Groups to ensure employee involvement and feedback from our employee communities is understood and actioned were appropriate. Reporting and Metrics: Conduct regular reviews of the business diversity metrics and develop action plans to address identified gaps. Develop metrics and benchmarks to measure the effectiveness of engagement and EDI initiatives. Regularly report on Programme progress to senior leadership, providing data-driven insights and recommendations. Monitor industry trends and conduct research to inform and enhance our EDI strategies. Skills & Competencies Leadership and Influence Strategic Thinking and Planning Cultural Competency Emotional Intelligence Conflict Resolution Analytical Skills Collaboration and Teamwork Adaptability and Resilience Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels of the organization. Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously. Proficiency in using data and metrics to assess Programme effectiveness and drive decision-making. Knowledge Demonstrable experience in diversity and inclusion, and employee engagement in an operational workforce. Proven track record of developing and implementing successful EDI Programmes and initiatives. Strong understanding of EDI principles, issues, and best practices. If you are passionate about people and creating a working environment where they can thrive and have the support, they need to be their best. Then send you application over for consideration today. reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications so if you are interested in the position please do send your application over today to ensure consideration.We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to facilitate your participation in the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let us know. We are dedicated to ensuring that all candidates have an equal opportunity to showcase their skills and experience.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. Our Benefits Company and performance-related bonus Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary Health benefits through a Cash Plan Two paid community volunteering days a year 25 days annual holiday Occupational health service Perkbox benefits offering discounts and savings on several products and experiences Study support may be available for job-related qualifications We offer competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options