Senior Programme Manager - Water Infrastructure

Mace; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Mace is seeking a senior programme leader to shape and deliver a portfolio of major infrastructure programmes. Reporting to the Head of Programme Development, you will steer development through regulatory gateways, with accountability for governance, cost, risk and schedule across a multi-disciplinary team.

You will lead high-level discussions with regulators and external partners, translating ambiguity into concrete plans while maintaining line management for a large programme management team.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex, high‑value infrastructure programmes through development and delivery.
• Proven ability to translate ambiguity into deliverable plans and governance structures.
• Strong track record engaging regulators, government bodies and executives.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery readiness of Anglian Water's strategic resource programmes through key milestones.
• Shape programme strategies, delivery models and investment cases aligned with regulatory objectives.
• Act as senior representative with regulators and executive stakeholders to secure support.
• Ensure governance, reporting, risk management and financial oversight across the portfolio.
• Deputise for Head of Programme Development and lead a blended AW/consultant programme management team.

Skills

Portfolio leadership

Strategic development

Regulatory stakeholder management

Governance and controls

Leadership of multidisciplinary teams

Budget, cost and risk management

Executive relationship management

Job description

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

Reporting to the Head of Programme Development, this is a senior leadership role accountable for shaping and leading a portfolio of major infrastructure strategic programmes through early development, regulatory gateways and investment decision points. The role requires an experienced strategic programme leader who can bring structure, pace and judgement to complex, high-value programmes operating in challenging financial, regulatory, commercial and stakeholder environments.

The postholder will be expected to operate with significant autonomy, deputise for the Head of Programme Development where required, and provide clear leadership across multi-disciplinary teams, senior internal stakeholders, regulators and external partners. They will be responsible for setting strategic direction, translating ambiguity into deliverable plans, securing alignment across complex interfaces, and ensuring robust governance, cost, risk, schedule and performance controls are in place.

The role will lead senior discussions with regulators, oversee the RAPID gated process and associated deliverables, and provide credible executive-level reporting and assurance. Success will require strong commercial awareness, mature stakeholder management, sound judgement and the ability to anticipate and mitigate strategic risks to protect programme outcomes.

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Portfolio leadership - Manage the development and delivery readiness of Anglian Water's strategic resource programmes, ensuring successful progression through key investment and regulatory milestones.
• Strategic development - Shape programme strategies, delivery models and investment cases to support long-term business and regulatory objectives.
• Stakeholder and regulatory leadership - Act as a senior representative with regulators, partners and executive stakeholders, building confidence and securing support for programme outcomes.
• Governance and performance - Ensure effective governance, controls, reporting, risk management and financial oversight across the portfolio.
• Leadership and capability - Deputise for the Head of Programme Development, providing leadership, coaching and direction across the Programme Development function. Act as line manager for an extensive programme management team which is a blend of AW and consultants following AW Line Management principles and requirements.

You’ll Need To Have

• Extensive experience leading complex, high-value infrastructure programmes through development and delivery.
• Proven track record of managing projects across the full lifecycle, from strategy and business case development through to delivery readiness.
• Experience developing major infrastructure projects, including planning, consenting, procurement and commercial strategy.
• Strong experience operating within regulated environments and working with regulators, government bodies and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience managing significant budgets, programme controls, risk, schedule and governance processes.
• Experience influencing and engaging senior leaders, executive teams and boards to secure decisions and approvals.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams within a matrix organisation and develop high-performing teams.
• Extensive stakeholder management experience, building relationships across internal and external organisations.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well:

We champion a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of wellbeing in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise:

We own the quality of deliverables, strategic outcomes and build long term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing:

We influence positive outcomes within our industry, while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel:

We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable with-in the role.