Maintenance & Asset Data Lead

idibu; England; Hybrid; GBP 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water company in the UK is looking for a Maintenance & Asset Data Lead to oversee master data management and ensure data quality. This hybrid role offers a competitive salary of up to £64,000 and significant involvement in digital transformation projects. The candidate should have strong experience in SAP and data governance, along with exceptional leadership skills. This position is a 12-month fixed-term contract based in Reading, with travel to meet stakeholders.

Benefits

Competitive salary up to £64,000 per annum

Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year

Performance-related pay up to 10%

Generous Pension Scheme

Access to health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in managing maintenance data and asset master data.
• Strong track record in driving continuous improvement programmes.
• Background in sectors like utilities, oil & gas, or petrochemicals.

Responsibilities

• Lead master data management activities and drive data assurance.
• Shape and implement MDM strategies aligned with business needs.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to data analysts.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of SAP or similar asset management systems

Strong relationship-building skills

Proven ability to uphold data design standards

Project management skills

Job description

Overview

We’re looking for a Maintenance & Asset Data Lead to take ownership of our asset and maintenance master data, ensuring high standards and continuous improvement across our systems. As part of digital transformation, this role will offer the opportunity to collaborate with many business areas and work on many projects that will shape the future of the organisation. This is a 12-month fixed-term contract.

What you’ll be doing as a Maintenance & Asset Data Lead

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of asset management information, lead strategic data initiatives, and ensure that master data underpins the safe, efficient, and reliable delivery of services. In this role, you’ll take ownership of maintenance and asset master data — ensuring it is accurate, consistent, and valuable across the business. Drawing on your expertise in SAP and data governance, you’ll establish best practices, influence senior stakeholders, and drive measurable improvements in data quality and processes.

Your key responsibilities

• Lead and deliver master data management (MDM) activities, driving data assurance and continuous quality improvement.
• Own and maintain the asset and work data model in SAP, including configuration and change approvals.
• Shape and implement MDM strategies, ensuring alignment with business and operational needs.
• Provide expert advice and influence on data governance, standards, and effective planning.
• Manage workloads and provide leadership to analysts and advisors, mentoring and developing the team.
• Oversee data quality analysis, issue resolution, and stakeholder engagement across multiple functions.
• Build and embed a centre of excellence for MDM, aligned with organisational strategy and long-term goals.

This is a hybrid role with 2 days per week based at Clearwater Court, Reading (RG1 8DB), with occasional travel to other sites to meet key stakeholders.

What you should bring to the role

• In-depth knowledge of SAP or similar asset management systems (e.g., Maximo).
• Proven ability to set and uphold data design standards, governance, and quality assurance.
• Strong track record in managing maintenance data, asset master data, and continuous improvement programmes.
• Background in utilities, oil & gas, or petrochemical industries, working with large and diverse asset bases.
• Skilled in leading projects and activities with a focus on delivery and measurable outcomes.
• Confident communicator who can translate technical concepts into clear, accessible language.
• Strong relationship-builder, able to collaborate effectively across all levels of the business.
• Experienced in developing, mentoring, and managing team members.

What’s in it for you?

This role involves significant engagement with our digital transformation programmes and offers the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders across the business, driving improvements that shape the way the team operates and how Thames Water uses asset data.

• Competitive salary up to £64,000 per annum
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Performance-related pay up to 10% of salary.
• 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.

Who are we?

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.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

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.