Head of Programme Construction

MWH Treatment; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A national water sector provider is seeking a Head of Programme Construction for their Peterborough office. This leadership role involves overseeing major and minor construction projects, ensuring they are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards. The ideal candidate should have significant experience in complex multidisciplinary construction programs and a degree in a construction-related discipline. The position offers hybrid working options and a range of competitive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid working

Car/car allowance

25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Contribution Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Health Insurance

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering complex, multi-disciplinary construction programmes.
• Strong technical knowledge of CDM, Health & Safety and environmental standards.
• Proven ability to lead large teams and drive high performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional construction delivery through a team of Heads of Construction.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, to budget and to exceptional quality standards.
• Drive improvements in productivity, waste reduction and embodied carbon.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Programme Delivery

Commercial Awareness

Stakeholder Influence

Innovation Mindset

Education

Degree-level qualification in a construction-related discipline

Job description

We are looking to strengthen our Delivery team with a Head of Programme Construction based at our Peterborough office with hybrid working available and travel across the region. As our new Head of Programme Construction, you will take a strategic and influential leadership position, overseeing major and minor construction projects across the region. You'll ensure our work is delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards of quality - driving excellence from early solution development through to operational handover. This is a role for a proven leader who can inspire multidisciplinary teams, nurture collaboration, manage complex programmes and embed innovation and safety at every stage.

What You’ll Lead

Strategic Leadership

• Lead regional construction delivery through a team of Heads of Construction.
• Maintain oversight of end-to-end construction performance across a major investment programme.
• Champion a positive, open, and inclusive culture where safety and continuous improvement thrive.

Programme Delivery

• Provide governance and consistency across all construction programmes.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, to budget and to exceptional quality standards.
• Represent construction at senior Alliance forums and influence key delivery decisions.
• Monitor and manage supplier and subcontractor performance.

Commercial & Contractual Excellence

• Maintain strong cost control, forecasting and commercial governance.
• Support supplier selection, contract management and value‑driven negotiations.
• Ensure all contractual and compliance obligations are met.

Stakeholder Leadership

• Build strong relationships across Anglian Water, Alliance partners and key external stakeholders.
• Support resource planning and capability development across all construction functions.

Innovation & Sustainability

• Drive improvements in productivity, waste reduction and embodied carbon.
• Lead constructability reviews and fit‑for‑assembly processes to enhance safety and buildability.
• Embed digital and innovative approaches into project delivery.

Safety First—Every Day

• Lead compliance with CDM, HSWA and all relevant SHEQ standards.
• Promote a zero‑accident ethos and ensure consistent safety performance across all sites.

What You’ll Bring

• Degree‑level qualification in a construction‑related discipline.
• Significant experience delivering complex, multi‑disciplinary construction programmes (ideally in water/wastewater or major infrastructure).
• Strong technical knowledge of CDM, Health & Safety and environmental standards.
• Proven ability to lead large teams and drive high performance.
• Excellent commercial awareness and programme management capability.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder influence.
• A mindset focused on innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.

MWH Treatment

MWH Treatment is an integrated design and build provider working in the water sector. With over 1,400 staff working across eight regional centres, we support six long‑term water sector frameworks and two recently won frameworks, operating both as a sole contractor and in joint ventures and alliances.

We believe people matter. To build successful, creative teams we need a diverse workforce that can deliver innovative ways of thinking. We provide an environment where you can develop and grow to your full potential, creating opportunity by inviting, embracing, and celebrating difference. Our goal as an employer is to motivate and develop our employees. We foster a diverse range of talents and perspectives to succeed. As signatories to the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant, we support ex‑veterans. We also support Mates in Mind, a charitable program to improve and promote positive mental health in the workplace. We don’t just tick boxes; we live these values every day.

What MWH Offers

• A competitive salary.
• Hybrid working (jobs need dependent).
• Car/car allowance (jobs need dependent).
• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays (with an additional 5 days available to buy).
• Contribution Pension scheme.
• Life Assurance.
• Health Insurance.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• And many more benefits including cycle to work scheme, discounts and savings Hub, Kids Pass, etc.