Project Manager - Heat Networks

ESP Utilities Group; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A utilities management organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a seasoned professional to lead the Heat Networks business function. This role involves overseeing program management, ensuring compliance with regulations, and working with third-party providers. Candidates should have over 7 years of experience in managing complex infrastructure programs, strong stakeholder management skills, and a relevant degree. The position offers opportunities for continuous improvement and strategic impact within the organization.

Qualifications

• 7+ years managing technology infrastructure or utilities programmes.
• Experience in third-party provider management.
• Proven track record in business change across multiple domains.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of Heat Networks business function.
• Implement and maintain programme governance.
• Manage third-party providers for infrastructure operations.
• Define and implement business process changes.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards.

Skills

Programme Management

Stakeholder Management

Budget Ownership

Risk Management

Education

BEng, Business, Project/Programme Management, or related discipline

Job description

Lead the end-to-end delivery of the processes, systems, and practices needed to enable the Heat Networks business function, ensuring delivery within agreed scope, budget, quality, and benefit parameters.

Responsibilities

• Programme Management; develop and execute programme plan for the establishment of the Heat Networks business function within ESP, including the business systems, networks, process and practices.
• Governance & Monitoring: implement and maintain robust programme governance, including tracking of budgets, schedules, KRIs/KPIs, and comprehensive documentation (plans, risk/issue logs, forecasts).
• Third-Party Management: coordinate and manage third-party service providers for Heat Network operations, metering & billing, CRM and networks; ensure contractual and business performance standards are met. Ensure that processes developed for Heat Networks are scalable and replicable for other utilities services including water.
• Business, Process & System Change: define and implement changes across all areas of the business (Commercial Delivery, Pricing, Design, Customer Fulfilment, Customer Operations, and Engineering). Collaborate with stakeholders to model processes and ensure system and operational readiness.
• Risk, Issue & Dependency Management: maintain RAID logs, implement mitigation plans, and elevate governance issues as appropriate.
• Compliance & HSE: ensure all programme outcomes comply with relevant regulations, health, safety, and environmental standards.
• Business Case & Benefits Realisation: support the development and maintenance of the business case, track outcomes and KPIs, and ensure delivery against benefit targets.
• Continuous Improvement: capture lessons learned and drive ongoing improvement in programme delivery and business processes.
• Governance Forums: chair delivery and programme boards, coordinate assurance reviews, and support transparent decision-making and escalation.
• Transition to BAU: lead change readiness and handover to operational teams, ensuring processes and systems are embedded and business‑as‑usual readiness is achieved.
• Executive Reporting: produce and present progress reports, dashboards, risk summaries, and performance briefings to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience (7+ years) managing multi‑party, technology infrastructure or utilities programmes, with specific exposure to third‑party provider management.
• Proven track record delivering business change across commercial, pricing, fulfilment, operations, and engineering domains.
• Strong budget ownership, financial forecasting, governance, and benefits management skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive‑level communication skills.
• Proficient in risk, issue, and dependency management with proven governance implementation skills.
• Demonstrated compliance with regulatory and HSE requirements.

Desirable

• Experience in regulated environments or public sector interfaces.
• Digital literacy and experience with data management and technology‑enabled programme delivery.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability.
• BEng, Business, Project/Programme Management, or related discipline.

Person Specification

• Strategic planning and delivery of business transformation programmes.
• Leadership in complex, matrixed environments; coordination of internal and external teams.
• Process improvement, documentation, and analytical capabilities.
• Financial acumen with budget control and business justification.
• Effective risk and issue management using structured frameworks (e.g., RAID).
• Executive‑level communication and facilitation of governance boards.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.