Project Manager - SEMD

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water company in the UK seeks a Project Manager to manage critical infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing security and emergency resilience. The role involves overseeing projects valued up to £20m and engaging with various stakeholders. Candidates should possess a degree or equivalent experience and have strong project management skills. This position offers a hybrid working model with a competitive salary range of £56,000 to £67,000.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual Leave - 26 days

Generous Pension Scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Be educated to HNC/Degree level or possess equivalent experience.
• Prior experience in SEMD or security-based field.
• Ability to deliver tough messages with empathy.
• Willingness to travel across Thames Water catchment.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects/packages for the SEMD programme.
• Oversee planning and delivery of design & build activities.
• Drive efficiency and ensure commitments are met.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Contractual Awareness

Leadership

Problem Solving

Education

HNC/Degree Level

Tools

Project Management Software

Job description

Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB, Hybrid - Hampton Coal Wharf - TW12 2ES

Job title Project Manager - SEMD Ref 41941 Division Asset Operations & Capital Delivery Location Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB, Hybrid - Hampton Coal Wharf - TW12 2ES Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Salary £56,000 to £67,000 depending on experience Job grade B Closing date 11/08/2025

Join our Capital Delivery SEMD Programme Team to manage the delivery of a portfolio of critical infrastructure projects, focused on enhancing security and emergency resilience. You will focus on planning and delivering robust and safe solutions with Tier 1 Contractors and internal teams. Using your commercial skills, you’ll lead and engage stakeholders to drive efficiency and ensure regulatory and community commitments are met for the 5-year AMP8 and beyond.

What you’ll be doing as a Project Manager - SEMD

• Take responsibility for a series of projects/packages as part of the delivery of Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD) programme
• Specifically delivering projects ranging in scale and complexity up to £20m in value, across the region, including Greater London and the Home Counties
• Development of project briefs, including supplementary information for the subsequent early contractor involvement phase of the project
• Take a lead role in managing the planning and delivery of design & build activities, including overseeing the commissioning.
• Acting as the Project lead from conception to handover, developing robust and safe concepts and/or solutions in accordance with project delivery procedures.
• Accountable for the developing the projects and documentation for submission through the Governance process to achieve the correct funding to deliver the project as required by the internal stakeholders/client.
• Work with the team to achieve the time and cost targets, and coach others to ensure continuous improvement.
• Work with and manage indirectly a wider Thames Water team of multi-function Engineers, Environmental, Construction and Commercial Assurance support.
• Act as the key contact to support the role of CDM Designer or Principal Designer
• Provide Project Assurance during the delivery, commissioning and handover of assets.
• Establish and continuously promote a proactive health, safety & environment culture across complex and high-risk Project portfolios and our service providers.

Location: This role will be based on a hybrid basis, with access to sites in London and Reading Office

Working Hours: 36 hours a week, Monday to Friday.

What you should bring to the role

• Be educated to HNC /Degree level or possess the equivalent proven experience with further or outstanding role-specific experience in a relevant operational or project management capacity
• Prior experience in SEMD or security-based field would be extremely valuable but not essential.
• Ideally water industry experience - Water / Wastewater process, design, technical, commissioning and construction assurance
• Managing, leading, and developing people in a culture of accountability and achievement
• Have an excellent contractual awareness of Project Management work
• Have a proven track record of managing the performance of third-party organisations
• Be able to set up and regularly implement feedback systems to improve business performance.
• Be able to deliver tough messages with empathy
• Be prepared to travel and work across the entire Thames Water catchment.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £56,000 to £67,000 per annum depending on experience
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• 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.

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.

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 fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, 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.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process . Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, 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.