Head of Engineering Disciplines

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility provider is seeking a Head of Engineering Disciplines to shape the future of water infrastructure across London and the Thames Valley. The role involves leading engineering teams, driving professional excellence, and managing a significant revenue budget. The ideal candidate will possess strategic leadership experience and a deep understanding of the water sector's regulatory environment. Flexible working arrangements are available.

Benefits

26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30

Performance-related pay plan

Generous Pension Scheme

Private Medical Health Care

Health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Experience leading and managing engineers in an infrastructure environment.
• Proven ability to deliver complex projects.
• Minimum of an honours engineering degree or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop engineering capability across the company.
• Manage discipline leaders in various engineering fields.
• Ensure engineering compliance and safety.
• Drive transformation in the engineering environment.

Skills

Strategic leadership experience

Knowledge of water sector regulatory environment

Project delivery and operational performance

Health and safety legislation

Team leadership and empowerment

Communication skills

Commercial acumen

Education

Honours engineering degree

Formal professional recognition (CEng, CSci)

Job description

At Thames Water, we make a daily difference to our 16 million customers by supplying 2.6 billion litres of water through 32,000 km of pipes, keeping taps flowing and toilets flushing. We deliver life’s essential service so our customers, communities, and the environment can thrive.

We’re on a mission to shape the future of water for generations to come. Our AMP8 Business Plan (2025–2030) is our most ambitious yet, with a proposed £20 billion investment, more than double the last five-year period. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform water infrastructure across London and the Thames Valley, ensuring safe, high-quality water and a resilient network for the future.

You’ll influence the highest level, working across the organisation and engaging directly with senior leaders and directors.

What you’ll be doing as Head of Engineering Disciplines

As our new Head of Engineering Disciplines, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of water infrastructure across London and the Thames Valley. You’ll lead, develop, and grow our engineering capability, working closely with the Chief Engineer Function and key stakeholders to deliver critical projects and drive professional excellence across the asset lifecycle.

This is a pivotal leadership role where your expertise shapes the engineering decisions that matter most. This is more than a job - it’s a long-term growth opportunity at the forefront of innovation, driving environmental and customer outcomes with our communities at the heart of everything we do.

You’ll lead, develop, and grow talented technical teams, champion change and transformation, and build resilience across the business. With visible leadership and alignment to our wider strategy, you’ll have the chance to influence, inspire, and make a lasting impact.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing engineering capability across Thames Water, ensuring we have motivated, skilled, and professional engineers in place.
• Directly managing discipline leaders in Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, Electrical, ICA, and Process Engineering.
• Establishing and maintaining Engineering Communities of Practice to drive professional development and consistent standards.
• Providing visible leadership and technical oversight, ensuring our engineering activity is safe, legal, and compliant.
• Driving transformation and new ways of working to create a high-performing, innovative engineering environment.
• Building strong collaborative relationships with internal teams and external partners, including regulatory bodies and design partners.
• Managing a significant revenue budget (£5M+) and influencing the delivery of our £20Bn AMP8 plan.

Base location:

Clearwater Court, Reading (with flexible working arrangements)

Working pattern or hours:

Full-time, permanent. A mix of office & site working 3 days per week.

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

• Strategic leadership experience in developing and deploying professional engineers in an infrastructure environment.
• Extensive knowledge of the water sector regulatory environment and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to deliver complex projects and improve operational performance.
• In-depth knowledge of health and safety legislation and best practice.
• Experience leading, inspiring, and empowering high-performing teams in a matrix environment.
• Minimum of an honours engineering degree (or equivalent), with formal professional recognition (CEng, CSci) and fellowship of a relevant engineering institute.
• Excellent communication skills and commercial acumen.

Additional skills and experiences would be great to have:

• Passion for continuous professional development and inclusivity in engineering.
• Awareness of operating in complex environments with political and media stakeholders.

What’s in it for you?

• 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.
• 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.

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.

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.