Programme Manager

CIH International Housing Group; Bamber Bridge; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced annual leave 26+ days

Enhanced paid family leave

Pension scheme

Onsite gym

Health & wellbeing programme

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Eric Wright Water is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead a portfolio of framework projects, guiding a team of Project Managers to deliver safely, on time and within budget. The role blends strategic programme leadership with hands-on project delivery and close collaboration with Commercial, Operations, Design and Technical teams.

You will build strong client and supplier relationships, manage governance and reporting, and help drive performance across the portfolio.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in programme and project delivery in water/utility sectors.
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage client relationships.
• Strong communication, governance and reporting skills.
• Commercial awareness with understanding of project financial performance.
• Desirable: experience leading in a framework environment.

Responsibilities

• Promote a positive safety culture and ensure Health & Safety policies are followed across the programme.
• Lead, support and mentor Project Managers for delivery, governance and reporting.
• Track programme performance, risks, opportunities and resource needs; escalate issues as needed.
• Own allocated projects and deliver safely, on programme and within budget.
• Resolve complex delivery issues and maintain strong client/stakeholder relationships.
• Support resource planning, workload balancing and talent development across the portfolio.
• Support commercial performance and client relationship management within the framework.
• Identify ways to improve delivery efficiency and client satisfaction.

Skills

Programme management

Water/utility sector

Leadership

Communication

Commercial awareness

Job description

Our business is truly special; part of the Eric Wright Group, and wholly owned by the Eric Wright Charitable Trust, we are a commercially focused business with a social purpose. Forward thinking and people focussed, we retain our traditional values and are extremely proud of our dedicated, passionate and friendly colleagues who live our values and work hard to make a difference every day. Our business would not be the business it is today without its people, we strive to develop and nurture talent, provide a positive healthy environment empowering our people to be the best they can be. Eric Wright Water aims to be the leader in our field, delivering excellence in engineering and construction within the water industry. We are committed to building long term working relationships with both our clients and suppliers and do this in the spirit of the 'Eric Wright' ethos of working in an honest, non-adversarial and collaborative manner. Our approach to project delivery is fully aligned to that of our clients in terms of Health and Safety and Environmental management; 'If I cannot do it safely, I will not do it'. Our clients benefit from our ability to provide a 'one-stop-shop' whereby we offer a comprehensive range of service covering project asset design, construction, installation, commissioning and handover, through to ongoing maintenance and management. We operate framework contracts with a number of the key UK water companies. Our delivery model provides customer service and value to our clients.

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Programme Manager ready to take the next step in their career. You'll support the delivery, performance and growth of a portfolio of framework projects, leading and guiding a team of Project Managers so that work is delivered safely, commercially and to our clients' expectations.

This is a hybrid role. You'll combine programme leadership with the hands on management and delivery of selected projects, working closely with our Commercial, Operations, Design and Technical teams. You'll also build strong relationships with clients, contractors, supply chain partners and framework stakeholders.

What you will do:

• Promote a positive safety culture and make sure our Health & Safety policies, procedures and regulations are followed across the programme
• Lead, support and mentor Project Managers, making sure delivery, governance and reporting are consistent across the portfolio
• Keep track of programme performance, risks, opportunities and resource needs, and raise significant issues with the Framework Manager
• Take ownership of your own allocated projects and deliver them safely, on programme and within budget
• Help resolve complex delivery issues and keep client and stakeholder relationships strong
• Support resource planning, workload balancing, succession planning and talent development
• Support commercial performance across the portfolio and contribute to client relationship management and framework reviews
• Look for ways to improve delivery efficiency and client satisfaction, and share best practice

What you'll bring:

Essential

• Proven project management experience in the water, utilities or infrastructure sector
• A strong understanding of programme and project delivery
• Experience managing client and contractor relationships
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of project financial performance

Desirable

• Experience leading or mentoring project teams
• Experience delivering projects in a framework environment

Above all, you'll live our values. You'll be approachable and collaborative, and you'll take pride in developing others and in what the team achieves together.

Our Values

At the heart of everything we do are four core values:

• Integrity - We’re transparent, honest, and accountable. We build trust and deliver lasting impact.
• Excellence - We go beyond expectations with expertise, determination, and attention to detail.
• Respect - We’re inclusive, compassionate, and professional. Every voice matters.
• Innovation - We think differently, solve problems creatively, and embrace a "can do" attitude.

How You'll Work

We're looking for someone who lives our behaviours:

• Be authentic - Say what you mean, keep your promises, and build trust
• Be accountable - Own your work, celebrate success, and learn from setbacks
• Belong - Be part of something bigger, rooted in community and purpose
• Be the best you can - Give your all, ask for support, and grow with us
• Be motivated - Strive for excellence and take charge of your development
• Be safe - Look after yourself and others-safe people, safe place
• Be inclusive - Treat everyone with fairness, respect, and equality
• Be empathetic - Listen deeply and value every voice
• Be open - Share feedback, celebrate strengths, and speak up for what's right
• Be collaborative - Offer support, share knowledge, and learn from others
• Be inspiring - Lead with positivity, embrace innovation, and foster teamwork
• Be bold - Speak up, be curious, and help shape the future

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a business that exists to make a difference
• Thrive in a healthy, empowering environment
• Work with passionate, dedicated colleagues who live our values
• Enjoy real opportunities to grow and shape your future
• Good salary and benefits offer

Our offer

• Enhanced annual leave starting at 26 Days + bank holidays rising with service
• Enhanced Paid Family Leave - maternity, paternity, adoption, fertility, compassion, bereavement, crisis, emergency dependants, and much more
• Learning and development - we offer a range of learning opportunities to develop talent at all levels within our business focussing on technical competence, upskilling, compliance and governance and career development.
• Pension - 6.5% employer contribution of your salary into your pension to help you save for the future
• BUPA - optional scheme and can include your family to the scheme (50% contribution)
• Group Income Protection - 50% of your salary covered for 3 years for long term illness
• Health Plans - optional, including dental, cash health plans and critical illness
• EAP - Employee Assistance Programme through Health Assured, supporting you and your family with advice, guidance and counselling on a variety of areas such as health, fitness, home life, finances and much more.
• Mental Health support - through the Thrive app, approved by the NHS, provides tools, to tackle, prevent and manage common stressors such as sleep, bereavement, work issues etc. Also provides relaxation, breathing and meditation techniques and measures impact.
• Savings scheme - Put aside an affordable amount for a rainy day in the future
• Recognition awards - awards for long service and special birthdays
• Onsite gym - we have a gym on site at Head Office - free to use
• Company Doctor - for when you can't get to see your own or if you have any health concerns
• A comprehensive health and wellbeing strategy focussed on physical, emotional, financial and career wellbeing
• A wide range of enhanced benefits to support your well-being and work-life balance

Our Ethos:

Working at the Eric Wright Group of companies is truly special. Owned 100% by the Eric Wright Charitable Trust, we are a commercially focused business with a social purpose, which means that after reinvestment in the business, our profit is donated to charity via the Trust. This ownership structure provides a high level of stability for the Group and supports longer-term commercial and charitable strategies. Our reputation is built on our Chairman's founding principles of a company that must be profitable, ethical and farsighted, as a result we have people, community and social value at our heart. The companies across the Group regularly collaborate to deliver outstanding results on bespoke projects for both public and private sector clients.

We are extremely proud of our dedicated, passionate and friendly colleagues who live our values and work hard to make a difference in communities every day.

Equal opportunity statement:

At Eric Wright Group, our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, who share of values, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger.

Safeguarding if required

The Eric Wright Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of its employees, contractors and clients and expects its people to share this commitment. Successful applicants may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check or Disclosure Scotland check and to provide proof of their right to work in the UK. We are committed to equal opportunities, inclusion and fairness across all employment opportunities and service delivery. All managers and employees are expected to promote our values to ensure our workplaces and services are inclusive and accessible.