Psm interview answers

 

Why do you want this role?

Key Messages:


  • Passion for delivering environmental and operational outcomes.

  • Deep alignment with Anglian Water’s purpose and experience within @one Alliance culture.

  • Ready to return to a collaborative delivery environment after gaining external consultancy experience.

Example Response:

“This role combines everything I value in project work — innovation, sustainability, and cross-functional collaboration. Having spent 18 years with Anglian Water, including at the inception of the @one Alliance, I understand its unique culture and delivery model. I’m excited to return and apply my broadened strategic and consultancy experience to continue delivering capital efficiencies and low-carbon solutions.”

🔹 2. Describe a time you developed a successful project solution.

Key Competency: Solution Development, Stakeholder Engagement

Example Response:

“At Anglian Water, I led the development of a digital maintenance strategy for sewage pumping stations using telemetry-informed triggers. This reduced reactive maintenance and achieved £75M in efficiencies. I engaged stakeholders from operations, asset planning, and IT, presenting costed options and evidence to gain senior leadership approval and regional implementation.”

🔹 3. How do you approach root cause analysis and option appraisal?

Key Competency: Analytical Thinking, Data Use

Example Response:

“My approach combines technical modelling and operational data with stakeholder insight. For example, I used CFD and infrastructure modelling to diagnose capacity issues in a wastewater process. I facilitated an ROV-style assessment, comparing root causes and solution options in terms of capex, carbon, operability and compliance risk. This led to an optimised hybrid reuse option, saving cost and time.”

🔹 4. How do you manage project planning and performance monitoring?

Key Competency: Project Management, Reporting

Example Response:

“I create detailed solutions-stage project plans, aligned with programme and affordability targets. At Aqua Consultants, I helped shape WINEP project strategies by combining timeline risk mapping with whole-life cost assessments. I monitor progress monthly, use earned value metrics, and escalate deviation risks early to support timely decision-making.”

🔹 5. Tell us about a time you influenced change or embedded innovation.

Key Competency: Innovation, Change Management

Example Response:

“At Tunley Environmental, I built a new advisory service from scratch — combining carbon analysis, cost forecasting, and digital tools. I led the team to a £1.6M turnover within two years. By introducing a net-zero pathway tool, we shifted clients from compliance-led decisions to whole-life value thinking. This embedded PAS 2080 across our delivery.”

🔹 6. How do you ensure health, safety and CDM compliance during early solution stages?

Key Competency: H&S/CDM Knowledge

Example Response:

“As a certified IOSH Managing Safely lead, I’ve embedded early-stage risk assessments into solution scoping. I work closely with design and construction teams to identify residual risks and incorporate safe construction sequencing. At Anglian Water, I supported development of procedure changes aligned with CDM and trained ops teams in implementing those changes.”

🔹 7. How do you lead or collaborate with multidisciplinary teams?

Key Competency: Leadership, Collaboration

Example Response:

“I led cross-functional teams of engineers, procurement, and operational stakeholders to deliver asset strategies and capital schemes. I believe in creating a space where everyone is respected and their expertise recognised. At Aqua, I facilitated technical reviews across disciplines to build consensus around modular asset strategies for investment recommendations.”

🔹 8. What is your experience with affordability, WLC and commercial performance?

Key Competency: Commercial Acumen

Example Response:

“At Anglian Water, I supported investment decision-making by delivering capex and Opex assessments across a £400M supply chain spend. I’ve conducted whole-life cost modelling for both capital deferment and asset reuse. My focus is always on aligning technical feasibility with affordability and regulatory obligations.”

🔹 9. What tools or approaches do you use to reduce carbon and enhance sustainability in your solutions?

Key Competency: Sustainability, PAS 2080

Example Response:

“I apply PAS 2080 principles — Avoid, Switch, Improve — during solution development. I recently supported a modular solution approach that avoided redundant civil infrastructure. At Tunley, I delivered GHG inventories and embedded carbon assessment into project decisions to influence not just project delivery but client strategy.”

🔹 10. What excites you about working in the @one Alliance now?

Key Messages:

  • A chance to apply internal and external insights.

  • Commitment to outcome-led delivery, innovation, and decarbonisation.

  • Deep familiarity with Anglian Water values and regional context.

Example Response:

“The Alliance is uniquely positioned to deliver transformative change in a region under water stress. I’m excited by the move toward outcomes over outputs, and I’m motivated to bring my blend of operational, strategic, and consulting experience to deliver meaningful, sustainable impact across the capital programme.”

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