Head of Commercial Assurance

Anglian Water Services Ltd; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water services company is seeking a Head of Commercial Assurance in Peterborough, responsible for ensuring top-tier commercial arrangements and governance processes. This role includes leading assurance activities, managing compliance within financial controls, and driving continuous improvement through innovative assurance tools. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in commercial management within complex environments, strong leadership skills, and a proven track record in the water sector or construction industry. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Car allowance

Personal private health care

Annual bonus scheme

30 days leave + Bank Holidays

Life Cover at 8x your salary

Flexible benefits

Qualifications

• Professionally qualified with experience in a recognized commercial institution.
• Proven experience in the water sector or construction industry.
• Over 10 years in commercial or financial management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of assurance contracts across business units.
• Manage the Client-Side Assurance and COCE frameworks.
• Oversee supply chain investigations and internal audit activities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Collaboration

Education

Qualification in commercial, quantity surveying, finance, or project management

Job description

We're looking for an exceptional leader to join us as Head of Commercial Assurance within our Commercial Services & Assurance team. This pivotal role carries accountability for ensuring that all commercial arrangements, contractual frameworks, and governance processes across Anglian Water are delivered to the highest standards of commercial assurance. As Head of Commercial Assurance, you will have:

• Accountability for all Commercial Assurance activities within the Commercial function
• Management of the Target Cost Setting function
• Management of the Cost Intelligence function
• Accountability for the compliance activities associated with the financial controls and covenants activities
• Accountability for the Client-Side Assurance Framework and the COCE Framework.
• Accountability for the Quantity Surveying Apprentices programme within Commercial Services & Assurance

In this role, you'll lead the development and delivery of an industry-leading commercial assurance service—continuously enhancing our capability and introducing technology-based assurance tools that align seamlessly with our contractual and governance requirements. Your work will be central to the success of our capital delivery programme, ensuring that commercial arrangements, contractual frameworks and delivery processes are assured to the highest standards, enabling Anglian Water to meet its strategic goals while fostering innovation and continuous improvement. As a trusted senior leader, you will deputise for the Commercial Director during monthly JCAD sign‑off and play an integral role within the Commercial Services & Assurance leadership team. You will support consistent commercial assurance across all Anglian Water Alliances, Central Services, PDP, SMD, DDaT and the Centralised Commercial function, while also working closely with wider business areas such as the Reservoir programme. As major capital projects move from development into delivery throughout AMP8, they will also fall within your remit.

What will you be doing?

Commercial Assurance

• Lead the development and delivery of assurance contracts across the Alliances and business units where capital expenditure and commercial activities are undertaken.
• Establish and oversee a robust assurance strategy, combining self‑assurance and client‑led activities.
• Manage the Client‑Side Assurance and COCE frameworks, ensuring outputs deliver value for money and tangible improvements.
• Oversee supply chain investigations and whistleblowing activities and lead the output associated with any internal audit activity within the team.
• Drive continuous improvement through insights, reporting, and the introduction of digital/computerised assurance tools.
• Lead and develop the Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship Programme, including recruitment, placements, progress monitoring and working closely with colleagues within the wider commercial function.

Target Cost Setting

• Accountability for the leadership of an impartial, consistent, and robust target cost setting function across Alliances and other business areas.
• Ensure that fair and sustainable cost‑setting processes, validation of scope, appropriate cost models, and governance compliance is always in place.
• Ensure the team delivers expert advice, training, and upskilling across delivery and planning functions.
• Champion the implementation of an automated target cost system to support future AMP periods.

Cost Intelligence

• Lead an industry‑leading Cost Intelligence function, setting the vision for cost data collection, estimating methodologies, and whole‑life cost principles across all Totex investments.
• Provide robust cost insight and benchmarking to shape investment decisions, challenge assumptions, and demonstrate efficiency, influencing both internal strategy and wider industry thinking.
• Ensure high‑quality cost inputs and seamless integration of cost intelligence systems across the business, supporting financial sustainability and compliance.
• Represent Anglian Water externally at regulatory and industry forums, while driving continuous improvement and innovation in cost intelligence practices.

Commercial Controls

• Ensure robust financial controls and compliance processes are in place across the Commercial function.
• Accountability for the monthly financial controls and covenant activities, reporting, and governance reviews, addressing any non‑compliance and ensuring that deadlines are met.
• Oversee risk registers, business resilience documentation, and SAP mitigation activities within commercial operations.
• Manage commercial operations compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including sanctions, modern slavery, GDPR and anti‑bribery measures.
• Maintain key external relationships (e.g., Dunn & Bradstreet) to ensure timely risk intelligence and reporting.

You'll be a strategic and commercially astute leader, confident navigating complex contractual, financial, and regulatory frameworks. With strong analytical and critical thinking skills, you can interpret data and legislation to shape effective governance and drive continuous improvement.

An excellent communicator and influencer, you'll build credibility with stakeholders at all levels and bring a collaborative leadership style that constructively challenges and supports others through change. Your high attention to detail, sound judgement, and ability to establish robust policies, standards, and performance measures will ensure assurance activities deliver real value and impact.

Qualifications

• Professionally qualified and experienced – for example within a relevant recognised commercial, quantity surveying, finance and/or project management institution.
• Proven experience in the water sector & wider construction industry.
• Demonstrated success in designing and enforcing commercial frameworks, policies, and procedures.
• Substantial experience, typically over 10 years, in commercial or financial management, commercial governance, contract or audit compliance, ideally within a complex and regulated environment.
• Demonstrable commercial/financial management experience within Alliancing environments.
• A proven track record in developing, implementing, and maintaining commercial assurance policies, standards, and frameworks.
• Strong background in leading cross‑functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders, including reporting at Board level.
• Experience working collaboratively with legal, procurement, finance, and operational teams to embed commercial best practices.

Benefits

• Competitive pension scheme – Anglian Water double‑matches your contributions up to 6%
• Car allowance
• Personal private health care
• Annual bonus scheme
• 30 days leave + Bank Holidays
• Life Cover at 8x your salary
• Flexible benefits to support your wellbeing and lifestyle

At Anglian Water, we're committed to creating a sustainable future. You'll join a collaborative, purpose‑driven business where your expertise will directly influence how we deliver essential services and major infrastructure projects. Alongside leading a high‑performing team, you'll enjoy excellent development opportunities, exposure to senior leadership, and the chance to make a lasting impact across our business and the wider industry.