Project Manager

Thames Water; Dartford; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Company benefits

Job summary

Thames Water in Dartford is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead end-to-end delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects. You will drive contractor performance, enhance safety culture, and ensure delivery on time and to budget.

The role demands knowledge of capital projects, strong contract negotiation, and the ability to manage third-party performance in a fast-moving environment. Hybrid base location is Lane End with travel to sites as needed.

Qualifications

• HNC or above in an appropriate subject or significant experience in a similar role.
• Excellent contractual awareness of Project Management work.
• A proven track record of managing the performance of third‑party organisations.
• A proven track record of successfully delivering capital projects.
• Relevant industry and business knowledge.
• Full UK Driving License.
• Financially capable of running profit & loss, taking account of revenue, expenditure and cash flow to deliver agreed financial goals.
• Strong commercial approach with a good level of contract knowledge. Bases decisions on a balance of business development and cost control issues.
• Proven process improvement design and implementation capability.
• Can demonstrate a strong external customer service ethic, measurement of customer satisfaction and a proven track record of delivering improvement for internal and external customers.

Responsibilities

• Deliver sustainable financial out-performance against approved budgets.
• Commercially manage all contract matters to achieve the optimal outcome for Thames Water.
• Develop and deliver an optimised project to achieve all regulatory, statutory and internal outputs, deadlines and targets.
• Deliver successful technical solutions that provide optimal value for money on a capital and whole life cost basis.
• Performance management of the service providers to ensure the out-performance of service levels and value for money.
• Proactively manage project risk to minimise the final impact.
• Manage change and administer the contract for service providers.
• Ensure quality system and processes are complied with so results meet all standards.
• Maintain a strong external stakeholder relationship to actively protect and enhance Thames Water’s reputation with external customers.
• Manage and develop people in a culture of accountability and achievement.
• Encourage and implement an innovation from the supply chain to develop a continuous improvement project culture.
• Establish and continuously promote a proactive health, safety & environment culture across the project and our service providers.
• Achieve best practice in the safe and sustainable delivery of capital projects, as well as subsequent operation and maintenance.

Skills

Project management

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Safety/compliance

Vendor management

Performance management

Change management

Communication

Education

HNC or above

Job description

Project Manager

Company: Thames Water

Salary: £55,000 to £55,000 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: Dartford, DA2 8DH

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 11 Nov 2026

Closing date: 24 Nov 2026

Are you an experienced civils or infrastructure professional ready to step into a role where your technical leadership truly shapes the delivery of essential projects? We’re looking for a Project Manager who understands the demands of large‑scale construction, complex site environments, and the importance of delivering safe, high‑quality infrastructure. In this role, you’ll lead end‑to‑end project delivery—driving contractor performance, enhancing safety culture, and ensuring critical assets are delivered on time, to budget, and to exacting standards. If you thrive in a fast‑moving operational environment and want to make a real impact on major infrastructure programmes, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing as a Project Manager

• Deliver sustainable financial out-performance against approved budgets.
• Commercially manage all contract matters to achieve the optimal outcome for Thames Water.
• Develop and deliver an optimised project to achieve all regulatory, statutory and internal outputs, deadlines and targets.
• Deliver successful technical solutions that provide optimal value for money on a capital and whole life cost basis.
• Performance management of the service providers to ensure the out-performance of service levels and value for money.
• Proactively manage project risk to minimise the final impact.
• Manage change and administer the contract for service providers.
• Ensure quality system and processes are complied with so results meet all standards.
• Maintain a strong external stakeholder relationship to actively protect and enhance Thames Water’s reputation with external customers.
• Manage and develop people in a culture of accountability and achievement.
• Encourage and implement an innovation from the supply chain to develop a continuous improvement project culture.
• Establish and continuously promote a proactive health, safety & environment culture across the project and our service providers.
• Achieve best practice in the safe and sustainable delivery of capital projects, as well as subsequent operation and maintenance.

Base Location: Hybrid - Lane End (DA2 8DH). Travel to other sites will be required.

Hours of work: 36 Hours (Monday to Friday)

What you should bring to the role:

• HNC or above in an appropriate subject or significant experience in a similar role.
• Excellent contractual awareness of Project Management work.
• A proven track record of managing the performance of third‑party organisations.
• A proven track record of successfully delivering capital projects.
• Relevant industry and business knowledge.
• Full UK Driving License.
• Financially capable of running profit & loss, taking account of revenue, expenditure and cash flow to deliver agreed financial goals.
• Strong commercial approach with a good level of contract knowledge. Bases decisions on a balance of business development and cost control issues.
• Proven process improvement design and implementation capability.
• Can demonstrate a strong external customer service ethic, measurement of customer satisfaction and a proven track record of delivering improvement for internal and external customers.

What’s in it for you?

• Offering up to £55,000 per annum, depending on experience and skills.
• Car Allowance of £4,500 per annum.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• 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.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

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.

Learning 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.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.