Demand Manager

Thames Water; Reading; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual Leave of 26 days

Performance-related pay plan

Generous Pension Scheme

Access to health and wellbeing benefits

Job summary

A UK water utility company is seeking a Demand Manager to oversee the Demand Management process for all large change requests into Digital. The role involves facilitating discussions on requests, ensuring efficient resource allocation, and managing stakeholder communications. Candidates should have experience in demand or portfolio management and be proficient with relevant tools. Benefits include a competitive salary, robust pension scheme, and access to various health and wellbeing resources.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in demand management, portfolio management, or business operations.
• Strong understanding of project lifecycles and governance frameworks.
• Ability to effectively communicate and manage stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and operate the Demand Management process for large change demand.
• Ensure requests are logged, categorised, and routed.
• Report on progress of front door requests against agreed SLA.

Skills

Demand management experience

Stakeholder management

Governance frameworks

Communication skills

Proficiency in project management software

Education

Project Management qualifications (Prince 2, APM, Lean)

Tools

Demand management tools

Job description

The Demand Manager will be responsible for overseeing and operating the Demand Management process for all large change demand into Digital.

Reporting to the Director of Digital Engagement, this role ensures that demand entering the Digital team is captured, assessed, and aligned with strategic priorities, enabling efficient resource allocation and delivery. The Demand Manager acts as the central point of contact for the Front Door process supporting stakeholders with requests.

What you’ll be doing as a Demand Manager

• Own and operate the intake process for all new business requests.
• Ensure requests are logged, categorised, and routed appropriately.
• Establish clear criteria for demand assessment and prioritisation
• Work with the Heads of Portfolio and Business stakeholders to support the business with submitting requests.
• Facilitate discussions to clarify scope, objectives, and expected outcomes.
• Communicate demand status, decisions, and timelines transparently.
• Continuously refine the front door process to improve efficiency and stakeholder experience.
• Implement tools and dashboards to track demand intake and throughput.
• Identify bottlenecks and recommend solutions.
• Report on progress of front door requests, and production of completed engagement assessments against agreed SLA.

Working pattern – Monday to Friday 36 hours

What you should bring to the role

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need is:

• Proven experience in demand management, portfolio management, or business operations.
• Proficiency with demand management tools, project management software, and reporting dashboards.
• Strong understanding and experience of using governance frameworks and prioritisation methodologies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience of how Capex/Opex budgets are put together and estimated for projects
• Understanding of project lifecycles and the importance of setting projects up for success before they start.

Extra qualities that would be a great fit for our team:

• Project Management qualifications, e.g. Prince 2, APM and/or Lean (Six Sigma or LCS (Lean Competency system)

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £65,000 to £75,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• 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.