Capital Investments Efficiency Lead

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Pension scheme

Private medical health care

Health & wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Thames Water, the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, is seeking a Capital Investments Efficiency Lead to drive enterprise-wide capital efficiency, governance and reporting. Hybrid role based at Clearwater Court, RG1 8DB, requiring travel and a full driving licence.

You will shape how efficiency is measured, governed and reported across a multi‑bn-pound investment programme, partnering with Sponsorship, Delivery, Finance and PMO.

Qualifications

• Experience within capital investment, portfolio management, finance, programme delivery or performance management in a large infrastructure or asset-intensive organisation.
• Ability to interpret complex performance information and turn it into clear recommendations and actions.
• Strong strategic thinking and commercial awareness.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and supporting executive-level decision-making.
• Track record of driving improvement, embedding frameworks or establishing consistent ways of working.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, collaboration and influencing skills.
• The confidence to provide constructive challenge and lead through influence.

Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve Thames Water's Capital Efficiency Framework, standards and governance approach.
• Set the common requirements for how Capital Efficiencies are identified, evidenced, validated, governed and reported; own the Capital Efficiency Register.
• Consolidate and represent the overall capital efficiency position across the organisation.
• Provide strategic challenge and insight to senior leaders, sponsors and governance forums.
• Lead the development of reporting that supports effective decision-making and performance improvement.
• Identify emerging risks, opportunities and trends, recommending actions that maximise efficiency outcomes.
• Influence improvements to frameworks, processes, controls and reporting based on performance insights and stakeholder feedback.
• Work closely with senior leaders to support consistent application and continuous improvement.

Skills

Capital investment

Portfolio management

Finance

Programme delivery

Performance management

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Strategic thinking

Job description

Job title Capital Investments Efficiency Lead Ref 46029 Division Finance & Commercial Location Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Salary Competitive salary up to £78,000 per annum depending on skills and experience. Job grade C Closing date 20/10/2026

Ready to Lead Capital Efficiency at Scale?

Ready to shape how Thames Water delivers greater value from every capital investment?

We’re creating a new Capital Efficiency team and need a Capital Investments Efficiency Lead to shape Thames Water’s enterprise-wide approach.

You’ll define how efficiency is measured, governed and reported across a multi-billion-pound investment programme, working with Sponsorship, Delivery, Finance and PMO teams to improve decisions and deliver greater value for customers, communities and the environment.

As a Capital Investments Efficiency Lead, you will:

• Own and continuously improve Thames Water's Capital Efficiency Framework, standards and governance approach.
• Sets the common requirements for how Capital Efficiencies are identified, classified, evidenced, validated, governed and reported across the organisation. Own the Capital Efficiency Register and enterprise-wide reporting approach.
• Consolidate and represent the overall capital efficiency position across the organisation.
• Provide strategic challenge and insight to senior leaders, sponsors and governance forums.
• Lead the development of reporting that supports effective decision-making and performance improvement.
• Identify emerging risks, opportunities and trends, recommending actions that maximise efficiency outcomes.
• Influence improvements to frameworks, processes, controls and reporting based on performance insights and stakeholder feedback.
• Work closely with the Head of Capital Efficiency (AOCD), Portfolio Capital Efficiency Leads and Capital Efficiency Partners to support consistent application and continuous improvement.
• Champion an efficiency culture across Capital Investments, Sponsorship, Finance and Delivery teams.

This is a hybrid role based at our Clearwater Court office, with an expectation to work on site and in the office 2–4 days per week. You’ll need a full driving licence and access to transport to support travel as part of the role.

What You Should Bring to the Role

You don't need to tick every box, but we're likely to be interested if you have:

• Experience within capital investment, portfolio management, finance, programme delivery or performance management in a large infrastructure or asset-intensive organisation.
• The ability to interpret complex performance information and turn it into clear recommendations and actions.
• Strong strategic thinking and commercial awareness.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and supporting executive-level decision-making.
• A track record of driving improvement, embedding frameworks or establishing consistent ways of working.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, collaboration and influencing skills.
• The confidence to provide constructive challenge and lead through influence.
• Experience using data, insight and performance information to improve outcomes and drive value.

It Would Be Great If You Also Have

• Experience within water, utilities, infrastructure, energy, transport, rail or other asset-intensive sectors.
• Experience of efficiency, value management, benefits realisation or performance improvement programmes.
• Exposure to governance, investment controls, reporting or assurance environments.
• Experience building frameworks, standards or organisation-wide processes.

What's in it for you?

This is a rare opportunity to shape a brand-new capability within Thames Water and influence how efficiency is delivered across one of the UK's largest capital investment programmes.

You'll work directly with senior leaders, sponsors and decision-makers, helping to shape strategy, improve investment performance and drive meaningful organisational change. The role offers significant visibility, influence and the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on how Thames Water measures, governs and delivers capital efficiency.

In return, we offer:

• Competitive salary up to £78,000 per annum depending on skills and experience.
• Car allowance of £5,800 per annum.
• 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.

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.

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.

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.