Senior Project Manager

Thames Water; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 67,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

A major water services provider is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead complex projects in Reading. You will manage a portfolio of water treatment projects, ensuring compliance and stakeholder engagement while driving health, safety, and environmental best practices. The role requires a proactive leader with experience in construction project management and delivering results in a regulated environment. A competitive salary with added benefits awaits the right candidate.

Benefits

26 days holiday per year

Car allowance

Private medical health care

Generous pension scheme

Performance-related pay plan

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering complex projects in regulated environments.
• Understanding of design, construction, and operation of infrastructure projects.
• Proven track record in health and safety management.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to deliver large, complex projects.
• Manage performance and resolve project issues.
• Engage with stakeholders and ensure compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Communication

Education

Background in construction or operational management

Tools

Project management software

Job description

Overview

Make an impact for Thames Water in London and improve our Water assets for local communities, customers and the environment.

We’re looking for a Senior Project Manager to lead the delivery of a portfolio of complex planned projects on our water treatment works. You’ll lead projects from the start - engaging with procurement, engineering and other functions, then work closely with your team of Project Managers, contractors and internal teams to drive performance. This role demands a flexible, proactive, hands-on leader with the determination and enthusiasm to make a real impact. You’ll champion health, safety, and environmental excellence while delivering outstanding results for local communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of project managers to successfully deliver a portfolio of large and complex projects.
• Drive project performance, rapidly resolve issues and escalate where needed.
• Take accountability throughout the project lifecycle, governance compliance, and internal/external stakeholder engagement, leading to a smooth transition into operational business.
• Support the definition of solutions to meet the project objectives and will be responsible for preparing a clear business case.
• Develop the best procurement strategy for the project and oversee the specifications and production of contract documentation.
• Develop a strategy for obtaining any required third-party consents, highlighting program and project risks relating to the consents required.
• Effective liaison with the relevant town planning authorities as well as critical internal and external stakeholders to ensure smooth running and timely project delivery.
• Promote and sustain Thames Water’s Health & Safety vision (zero incidents, zero harm, zero compromises) throughout the project's lifecycle.
• Manage and assure the performance of contractors to deliver project outcomes that are timely, cost-effective, and of high quality.
• Contribute to steering project and portfolio-wide continuous improvement and delivering against stretching targets.
• Commercially manage all contract matters to achieve the optimal outcome for Thames Water.
• Drive a continuous improvement area on behalf of the wider programme team.

Location & Hours

Location: Hybrid – 2 days a week at Thames Water site, ideally with access to North London and the flexibility to travel within London.

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

Salary

Salary: £67,000 to £88,000 per annum depending on experience + £5,800 car allowance.

What you should bring to the role

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need is:

• Either an experienced construction project manager or an experienced operational manager – with a background in delivering solutions in complex, regulated environments.
• Understanding of the development of design, construction and operation of infrastructure or non-infrastructure projects.
• Experience of leading the health and safety performance of the team to ensure 3 zeros (zero incidents, zero harm, zero compromises) targets are met.
• A proactive, hands-on leader with the determination and enthusiasm to make a real impact.
• The ability to multi-task and manage several multi £million construction projects through a team of project managers.
• Excellent communication and listening skills with an engaging and open approach.
• Prepared to travel and work across a number of sites.

Nice-to-haves

• Previous experience in the Water industry.
• Chartered Engineer or substantial experience in a similar role.
• Commercially astute, able to negotiate, develop strong contractual relationships and drive results with contractors.

What’s in it for you?

Join us in this challenging role and make a positive impact on the environment and local communities.

• Competitive salary from £67,000 to £88,000 per annum.
• 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Car Allowance.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• 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.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

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.

Learn more 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.

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.