Change Project Manager

Pertemps Thames Water; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Hybrid work

Health & wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Pertemps Thames Water in Reading is seeking a Change Project Manager within the Renewals and Logistics unit to deliver improvements that support operational colleagues. This permanent, full-time role, known internally as an Operational Improvement Lead, shapes projects from discovery through operating model design, pilots and delivery.

You will work with stakeholders across the business to turn insight into tangible outcomes, manage operating models and processes, and travel across the Thames

Qualifications

• Experience in managing projects and/or change programs.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong planning and self-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the development and delivery of projects, including improvements to existing services and the creation of new services.
• Review, develop, test and implement operating models and processes for long-term outcomes.
• Drive successful deployment of project outcomes through governance and ownership.
• Capture and communicate benefits of initiatives.
• Lead change through high‑performance behaviours and stakeholder engagement.
• Embed change and hand over outcomes to business-as-usual ways of working.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project planning

Adaptability

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

Job description

This Change Project Manager post sits within Pertemps Thames Water’s Renewals and Logistics unit in Reading, delivering improvements that support operational colleagues. Offered full time on a permanent basis, the salary ranges from £43,110 to £52,000 annually, dependent upon experience and abilities. Known internally as an Operational Improvement Lead, the successful applicant shapes projects from discovery through to operating model design, pilot management and implementation. Strong stakeholder engagement, creativity and insight matter more than conventional project methodology. Duties span process development and delivery planning, with scope to broaden knowledge of waste sewerage and clean water functions. We are seeking a Change Project Manager to deliver improvements within our growing Renewals and Logistics business unit (providing people, resource, and specialist services to our Operations colleagues). Known internally as an Operational Improvement Lead, this is not a traditional project management role; you’ll be driving, shaping and delivering projects, using your insight, creativity and stakeholder management skills. You’ll be able to steer the project through discovery to develop operating models and processes, manage pilots and implement delivery plans. Working closely with the wider team, you’ll turn your hand to whatever support is needed, you’ll widen your knowledge of waste sewerage and clean water operations, offering you a varied and exciting career at Thames Water whilst making a genuine difference to Thames Water communities, customers, colleagues and the environment.

What you’ll be doing as a Change Project Manager

• Manage the development and delivery of projects - including both improvements to existing services and operations, and the creation of new services.
• Review, develop, test and implement operating models and processes to ensure they are future-proofed for the long-term outcomes associated with the wider portfolio.
• Drive successful deployment of all project outcomes through well-governed leadership and ownership.
• Capture and communicate benefits.
• Lead change through visible high-performance behaviours.
• Effective delivery of outcomes through strong engagement and management of stakeholders at all levels.
• Embed change and provide a smooth handover of outcomes to business-as-usual ways of working.

This hybrid role is based in Green Park, Reading. Flexibility in this role is required to allow you to meet all agreed project deliverables, meaning you will work from your base location, operational sites across the Thames Water Estate, and from home, where appropriate, as required to fulfill the obligations of the projects you are delivering. This role is required Monday to Friday, 36 hours a week.

What you should bring to the role

• Previous experience managing projects and/or change management (Certification in Prince 2, APM, Agile. Lean etc. is desirable but not a requirement)
• Prior experience engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels
• Strong planning skills and self-management capability
• Be willing to get 'stuck in' and become a 'temporary subject matter expert' to help lead the way with authority
• Ability to competently use MS Office and Project software
• Due to the nature of this role, the requirement to travel across our estate is key to successful project delivery, as such the successful candidate would benefit from having access to a car and a valid driver's licence – with out this, any successful candidate is still expected to travel via public transport to meet all project obligations, noting that some of our sites may not be on routes near to frequent public transport options.

What’s in it for you?

• Offering between £43,110 and £52,000 per annum, depending on experience and skills.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• 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 living our values.

Learning about our purpose and values

Working at 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.

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

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.