Senior Transformation Manager

Every day, more than 16 million people rely on Thames Water, and we're transforming how we deliver for our customers, communities and colleagues. As we continue one of the largest business transformation programmes in the UK water sector, we're looking for an experienced Senior Transformation Manager to help shape and deliver meaningful change across our Asset, Capital Delivery and Operational functions.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in Thames Water's Transformation Plan and AMP8 investment programme. You'll work on major transformation initiatives focused on our engineering and capital delivery teams, including operating model design, process improvement and organisational change. This is about reshaping how the organisation works, not simply making small improvements, helping us deliver significant capital investment while improving outcomes for customers, colleagues and the environment.

We're looking for someone who thrives in complex environments, brings structure and momentum to challenging programmes, and can influence stakeholders at all levels to deliver lasting change.

What you’ll be doing as a Senior Transformation Manager

As a Senior Transformation Manager, you'll be responsible for leading and embedding transformation programmes that directly support Thames Water's engineering, capital delivery and operational objectives.

You will:

• Lead the delivery and embedding of business transformation programmes across Thames Water.
• Support the successful delivery of AMP8 capital investment objectives.
• Collaborate closely with engineering and capital delivery teams, including Asset Planning, Capital Delivery, Commercial, Procurement and Operational colleagues.
• Design and implement operating models, including organisational roles and ways of working, that improve business performance and service delivery.
• Lead process improvement and system implementation programmes.
• Act as the single point of contact for programme delivery status and performance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, sponsors and business leaders.
• Lead, motivate and coordinate matrix and virtual teams to deliver successful outcomes.
• Manage programme risks, dependencies and interdependencies across the wider capital portfolio.
• Provide clarity, structure and pace to complex transformation initiatives.
• Drive the successful implementation and adoption of change across the organisation.
• Ensure programme benefits are delivered and realised in line with approved business cases.

Base location: Hybrid working with travel to Thames Water offices and operational sites as required.

Working pattern or hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Necessary requirements for the role: This role requires regular travel across
Thames Water offices and operational sites. Typically, you'll be based in our Reading office two days per week, with approximately two days per month in our London office, alongside ad-hoc travel to other Thames Water sites as required.
To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you'll need is:

• Proven experience delivering complex business transformation, operating model change or large-scale capital investment projects.
• Strong background in one or more of the following areas: engineering, project management, capital delivery, asset management, commercial, procurement or operational environments.
• Demonstrable experience designing and implementing operating models that drive business performance and efficiency.
• Experience delivering transformational change that achieves measurable business benefits. You do not need to have held a formal transformation job title, but you must be able to demonstrate how you have led or supported meaningful organisational, process or ways-of-working change.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing matrix, virtual and cross-functional teams.
• A track record of influencing and engaging senior stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Ability to work independently while also leading and coordinating diverse programme teams.
• Excellent programme management, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to challenge constructively and build stakeholder confidence.
• Drive, resilience and pragmatism, with a passion for delivering meaningful change.

Additional skills and experiences would be great to have/bring:

• Experience working in utilities, national infrastructure or another delivery-focused or highly regulated environment, particularly where engineering or capital projects are central to the organisation.
• Consulting or professional services experience.
• Experience supporting operational turnaround or major efficiency programmes.
• Knowledge of capital investment delivery models, stage-gate processes or portfolio governance.

Application process

As part of your application, you must submit a covering letter explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience match the essential criteria for this role.

Please use your covering letter to provide specific examples of:

• Transformation programmes or capital investment projects you have led.
• Operating models you have designed and implemented.
• How you have influenced and managed senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading matrix or virtual teams.
• The measurable outcomes and benefits delivered through your work.

Applications submitted without a covering letter may not be progressed.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £66,590 to £80,000 per annum, dependent on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Car Allowance.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family.Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process . If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know , we’re here to  help and support .

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.