Apprentice Commercial Specialist

Summary

Southern Water seeks an Apprentice Commercial Specialist in Falmer, Brighton, to support high-value contract management. Working with Senior Commercial Specialists, you'll assist with cost planning, procurement, audits, and contract strategy—supported by a dedicated Mentor and Line Manager. On completion you can register as a Chartered Surveyor.

Wage

£24,288 a year

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Training course

Chartered surveyor (degree) (level 6)

Hours

37 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 15 September 2025

Duration

5 years

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

🔹 Contract and Project Administration

Assist in the day-to-day administration of multiple commercial contracts and projects
Support Senior Commercial Specialists with managing contract performance and compliance
Maintain accurate records of commercial activities and contract milestones

Participate in meetings with suppliers and internal teams to support commercial decisions

🔹 Cost Management and Appraisal

Help prepare and maintain cost plans and budgets for ongoing projects
Track and monitor project costs against forecasts, identifying variances
Contribute to cost appraisals and financial evaluations throughout the contract lifecycle

Provide regular support to Project Managers to help ensure value for money in commercial activities

🔹 Procurement and Pre-Contract Activities

Provide procurement support, including assisting with tender preparation and evaluations
Gather, analyse, and interpret commercial data to inform contract strategy
Assist with drafting and reviewing contract documents during the pre-contract phase

Carry out pre-contract assurance activities to ensure documentation is accurate and complete

🔹 Change Management and Audit

Support change management by recording, assessing, and processing contract changes

Document audits and assist in reporting findings to internal stakeholders

🔹 Broader Organisational Exposure

Collaborate with colleagues across the business during rotational placements to understand broader company operations and the water industry context

Where you’ll work

Southern House
Lewes Road, Falmer
Brighton
BN1 9PY

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON

Your training course

Chartered surveyor (degree) (level 6)

Equal to degree

Course contents

Information management - Provide data, information and advice for clients relevant to the surveying discipline.
Health and safety - Recommend solutions to ensure safe and secure working environments.
Construction technology - Provide advice relating to the construction technology of buildings and their materials.
Law - Negotiate and agree terms for acquisition/disposal of property, standard forms of building contracts or other property related contracts and liaise with legal advisers.
Consultancy - Manage instructions from engagement to completion.
Building surveys – Undertake inspections and surveys and provide advice and recommendations to clients relating to building surveys.
Prepare designs and specifications – Carry out the preparation of the design and specification of building projects from outline proposals to completion of the design and specification process.
Administer contracts – Implement administrative procedures for the running of a construction project. Issue instructions, deal with payment provisions, manage variation procedures and deal with completion and possession issues and the issuing of certificates.
Valuation and appraisal - Prepare capital and rental valuations of land and property for a range of formal and appraisal purposes and prepare client reports.
Land, property and planning law - Negotiate solutions to issues affecting both owners and occupiers of land and property including at least two of management, sales, lettings, purchase and/or planning.
Inspection and measurement – Undertake inspections of land and property and prepare related reports and advice. Use appropriate instrumentation to take measurements of land and property. Apply the appropriate guidance and use the appropriate basis to undertake measurements. Prepare and present measurements in an appropriate manner.
Tendering and procurement - Provide advice and recommendations as to appropriate procurement routes and manage the tendering processes relevant to them.
Costing and cost planning of construction works - Undertake the detailed quantification, costing and cost planning of complex construction works.
Manage efficiencies of construction contracts – Manage the construction phase of a construction project. Carry out life cycle costing and apply value engineering processes. Prepare data, reports and forecasts.
Information management - Provide data, information and advice for clients relevant to the surveying discipline.
Health and safety - Recommend solutions to ensure safe and secure working environments.
Construction technology - Provide advice relating to the construction technology of buildings and their materials.
Law - Negotiate and agree terms for acquisition/disposal of property, standard forms of building contracts or other property related contracts and liaise with legal advisers.
Consultancy - Manage instructions from engagement to completion.

Your training plan

🏫 University-Based Training

The apprentice will undertake a quantity Surveying BSc(Hons) degree at the University of Brighton
Academic training is delivered at the Moulsecoomb campus on the Lewes Road, Brighton – located close to Southern Water’s offices at Falmer
Apprentices will attend classroom-based learning one day per week during university semesters

🛠️ On-the-Job Training

Practical, on-the-job training will take place at Southern Water’s Falmer office and during placements across relevant business units
On-the-job learning continues throughout the rest of the working week and during university breaks
Apprentices will gain exposure to all aspects of commercial operations, including pre- and post-contract work, cost and change management, and procurement
Training includes hands-on experience supporting live projects and contracts under the supervision of Senior Commercial Specialists

👥 Support and Development

Each apprentice is supported by a dedicated Mentor and Line Manager throughout the programme
Regular progress reviews and feedback ensure the development of both technical and professional skills

By the end of the programme, the apprentice will be proficient in all technical aspects of commercial management within the water utility sector.

More training information

Apprentices study at the University of Brighton one day per week during university term time
Outside of term, apprentices continue to receive one day per week of off-the-job learning
Apprentices must spend 20% of paid working hours on learning and development activities
This 20% off-the-job training is a statutory requirement and must be evidenced throughout the apprenticeship
Off-the-job learning includes new activities that are not part of the apprentice’s usual role and contribute to their broader development
The university provides academic and professional support throughout the programme in close collaboration with Southern Water

Requirements

Essential qualifications

A Level in:

3 A Levels (grade BBC–CCC including maths)

T Level in:

Design, Surveying and Planning (grade Merit)

BTEC in:

Extended Diploma (grade DMM-MMM)

Other in:

Pass with 60 credits overall (grade At least 45 credits at level 3)
three subjects at Higher level (grade 28 points)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

Why Southern Water? 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, diversity and inclusion are core values. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an environment where every individual is empowered to succeed. This is more than a role; it’s an opportunity to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact. Apply now to be part of our transformational journey. Every Body Welcome 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. Need flexibility in your work? 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?

About this company

Southern Water employs over 2,000 people and is the private utility company responsible for the public wastewater collection and treatment in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent, and for the public water supply and distribution in approximately half of this area. At Southern Water 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

https://www.southernwater.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Company bonus, pension with up to 11% company contribution, life assurance (4x salary), health cash plan, 25 days' holiday, volunteering days, Perkbox discounts, occupational health, study support, flexible maternity leave, and hybrid working options.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Our Commercial Specialists have a natural career pathway at Southern Water to Commercial Manager, Senior Commercial Manager, then Strategic Commercial Lead. Equally, we support our staff to make internal moves within the organisation if they discover an alternative area of passion they wish to pursue!

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