Project Manager - Heat Networks

ESP Utilities Group Ltd; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A major UK utility company based in Leatherhead seeks a Heat Networks Programme Manager to lead the establishment of its Heat Networks business function. The successful candidate will be responsible for programme delivery, third-party management, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and safety standards. This role offers the opportunity to drive business change, manage resources effectively, and contribute to the company’s growth strategy in low-carbon heating solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience in programme management and project execution.
• Strong understanding of business systems and process changes.
• Ability to manage third-party service providers effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of Heat Networks business function.
• Develop and execute programme plans, ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Manage third-party service providers for operations and billing.

Job description

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Role Context

ESP is one of the UK's largest and longest established independent multi-utility companies. We provide water, electricity, and gas services to almost one million residential, industrial, and commercial customers. As the network owner and operator, we are responsible for maintaining the network and repairing any faults on our network safely and as quickly as possible. As leaders of the electric vehicle revolution, we're rapidly linking EV infrastructure to the grid - speeding the way to a greener future.

As part of our growth strategy, ESP is launching Heat as our fourth utility. ESP's District Heat proposition offers a highly energy-efficient, cost-competitive low-carbon heating system solution for developers. Future Homes Standard compliant and 'Regulation Ready, it's adaptability and ease of installation, along with value and reliability benefits for the consumer, make it the energy system of the future. To enable the business to launch this proposition in 2026, we are seeking to appoint a Heat Networks Programme Manager to lead the enablement of the Heat Networks business function.

ESP is a business dedicated to continuous improvement and the introduction of service aligns with our strategy to sustain our leading position within the market. To do this, we need the people, systems and processes in place that enable us to offer an ease of business that secures customer loyalty. This role will be dedicated to addressing and delivering this strategically identified project. We are a business who care about the work we do, and the stakeholders we support, and therefore we seek to find individuals with a similar approach. We encourage a culture that is underpinned by our ESP Values and Behaviours:

• Be Excellent; We hold ourselves and others to account; we strive for continuous improvement; we simplify the complex and deliver quality
• Be Transparent; We are open and honest; we admit and learn from our mistakes; we are approachable and accessible
• Be Ambitious; We are committed to developing our people; we push the boundaries to grow our business; we are willing to learn and adapt
• Be Respectful; We treat others with respect and professionalism; we are considerate of everyone's workloads and priorities; we provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive workplace
• Be Collaborative; We share knowledge, are open to new ideas and welcome input from all; we work together as one team to deliver success; we have fun and enjoy what we do

Role Purpose

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.

Key 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. Ensuring 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.