Head of Reliability & Performance Transformation

Pennon Group Plc; Exeter; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave + bank holidays

Bonus

Private healthcare

Company car or cash allowance

Competitive pension

Share-save scheme

Health benefits & wellbeing programs

Cycle to Work scheme

Financial support services

Job summary

Pennon Group is seeking a Head of Reliability & Performance Transformation to lead a high-profile programme across Engineering, Operations, Asset Management, Digital and Capital Delivery. You will establish governance and delivery frameworks to drive reliability improvements and long-term value.

You will influence senior stakeholders, embed new ways of working and deliver measurable benefits through a proactive asset health-led approach.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering reliability or asset performance transformation programmes.
• Proven ability to lead large cross-functional portfolios end-to-end.
• Strong understanding of reliability engineering and asset management principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Group-wide Reliability & Performance Transformation Portfolio.
• Develop and prioritise strategic initiatives aligned to business objectives.
• Shape and deliver Pennon Group's Asset Management Strategy.
• Establish governance, reporting and decision-making frameworks.
• Drive delivery safely, on schedule and with measurable benefits.
• Build relationships across Engineering, Operations, Asset Management, Digital and Capital Delivery teams.

Skills

Transformation leadership

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Reliability engineering

Asset management

Data-driven decision making

Education

Degree in Engineering

Reliability Engineering qualification (ARP-L/CRL)

MSP/APM/PRINCE2 qualification

Job description

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

At Pennon Group, we’re proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power, we’re leading the way in water and renewables.

At Pennon Group, we’re proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power, we’re leading the way in water and renewables.

We’re proud to be recognised as a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.

Lead the future of Asset reliability and performance

Pennon Group is embarking on an exciting journey to transform how we manage, maintain and optimise our assets across our businesses. We're looking for an exceptional leader to establish and lead our Reliability & Performance Transformation Capability, driving a portfolio of strategic initiatives that enhance asset reliability, operational performance and long-term value.

This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of asset management across the Group, helping us move towards a more proactive, asset health-led approach to investment and decision-making while delivering tangible benefits for our customers, communities and the environment.

About The Role

As Head of Reliability & Performance Transformation, you will lead a high-profile transformation portfolio that spans Engineering, Operations, Asset Management, Digital and Capital Delivery functions across Pennon Group.

Reporting to the Director of Asset Reliability & Performance, you'll be responsible for establishing the governance, leadership and delivery framework needed to successfully implement a wide range of reliability and performance improvement initiatives.

You’ll work closely with senior leaders and executive stakeholders to define priorities, drive investment decisions, realise measurable benefits and embed new ways of working that strengthen organisational capability for the future.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the Group-wide Reliability & Performance Transformation Portfolio.
• Develop and prioritise strategic and tactical initiatives aligned to business objectives.
• Shape and support the delivery of Pennon Group's Asset Management Strategy.
• Establish robust governance, reporting and decision-making frameworks.
• Drive programme delivery, ensuring initiatives are delivered safely, effectively and on schedule.
• Manage portfolio risks, dependencies and opportunities.
• Implement benefits realisation processes that demonstrate measurable value.
• Build strong relationships across Engineering, Operations, Asset Management, Digital and Capital Delivery teams.
• Lead engagement, communication and change management activity across the organisation.
• Champion best practice in reliability engineering, asset performance and continuous improvement.
• Influence senior and executive stakeholders to secure alignment and successful delivery.
• Continuously evolve the Reliability & Performance Transformation roadmap.

What We’re Looking For

We're seeking an experienced transformation leader who combines technical expertise with outstanding programme leadership and stakeholder management skills.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience delivering reliability improvement or asset performance transformation programmes within the water or wastewater sector.
• Proven experience managing complex transformation programmes from concept through to implementation and benefits realisation.
• Strong understanding of reliability engineering and asset management principles.
• Experience leading large-scale, cross-functional portfolios in complex organisations.
• A track record of influencing senior leaders and delivering organisational change.
• Experience delivering strategic data, systems and process improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Engineering or a related technical discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Professional qualification in Reliability Engineering (ARP-L, CRL or equivalent).
• MSP, APM, PRINCE2 or similar programme management qualification would be advantageous.

Why join us?

• 30 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Bonus
• Private Healthcare
• Company car or cash for car allowance
• Competitive contributory pension
• Share-save scheme
• Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes
• Group discounts
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Financial support services
• Development and training opportunities … and much more!

Closing Date: 26th August 2026

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way.

Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

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Be You

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Be the Future

Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.