Senior Project Manager

Pertemps; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 67,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Private health care

Wellbeing benefits

Cycle to Work scheme

Life assurance

Job summary

Thames Water is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead major wastewater infrastructure programmes in the Thames Valley. You will act as client-side leader delivering projects from concept through to handover, with autonomy to influence and drive outcomes while mentoring teams.

The role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management and a disciplined approach to safety, quality and governance. hybrid working with site visits and office days in Reading.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering large-scale infrastructure, utility, engineering or built environment projects for a client organisation.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Engineering degree with professional project management qualifications (PMQ/APM).
• Experience managing projects through full lifecycle from concept and investment approval to handover.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and CDM Regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of complex wastewater infrastructure projects and programmes, portfolio worth ~£250 million.
• Take projects through full lifecycle from early solution development to handover.
• Provide leadership, coaching and mentoring to project professionals.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to high quality standards.
• Champion health and safety culture across decisions and activities.
• Collaborate with contractors, consultants and delivery partners to drive performance.
• Support innovative, sustainable and best-value solutions to secure investment approval.
• Build trusted relationships with regulators and local authorities for successful delivery.
• Lead commercial and contract management activities for value for money and risk management.
• Ensure governance, compliance and assurance throughout the lifecycle.
• Drive continuous improvement and share best practice across Capital Delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Health & Safety knowledge

Coaching

Education

Engineering degree

PMQ/APM membership

Job description

Senior Project Manager – Lead Major Infrastructure That Matters

Shape the Future of Water Infrastructure Across the Thames Valley

Are you an accomplished Senior Project Manager ready to lead major infrastructure programmes that make a lasting difference?

At Thames Water, you'll have the opportunity to deliver some of the UK's most significant wastewater infrastructure projects, helping to safeguard essential services, protect the environment and support the region's future growth.

This is far more than a project delivery role. You'll act as the client-side leader for complex, high-value capital programmes, influencing strategic investment decisions, shaping project solutions and driving successful outcomes from concept through to completion.

Working alongside industry-leading experts, delivery partners and stakeholders, you'll have the autonomy to make key decisions, lead talented teams and see the tangible impact of your work on millions of customers and communities.

As a Senior Project Manager, you will:

• Lead the successful delivery of complex wastewater infrastructure projects and programmes, helping shape a portfolio worth approximately £250 million.
• Take projects through the full lifecycle, from early solution development and business case approval through to design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover.
• Provide leadership, coaching and mentoring to project professionals, helping to build capability and develop future talent.
• Take accountability for programme performance, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.
• Champion a strong health and safety culture, placing safety at the heart of every decision and activity.
• Collaborate with contractors, consultants and delivery partners to drive performance and achieve excellent project outcomes.
• Support the development of innovative, sustainable and best-value solutions that secure investment approval and deliver long-term benefits.
• Build trusted relationships with regulators, local authorities, environmental bodies and internal stakeholders to support successful project delivery.
• Lead commercial and contract management activities, ensuring value for money and effective risk management.
• Ensure robust governance, compliance and assurance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive continuous improvement and share best practice across Thames Water's Capital Delivery function.

Location: Hybrid working based at Clearwater Court, Reading. You'll typically spend a minimum of two days per week in the office alongside regular site visits.

Working Pattern: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

What You Should Bring to the Role

We're looking for a collaborative and influential project leader who thrives in a complex environment and enjoys solving challenging problems that have a real impact.

You will bring:

• Proven experience delivering large-scale infrastructure, utility, engineering or built environment projects on behalf of a client organisation.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels and bring teams together around a common goal.
• A degree in Engineering or a relevant discipline, alongside professional project management qualifications (such as PMQ/APM membership).
• Expertise in recognised project management methodologies and best-practice delivery approaches.
• Experience managing projects throughout the full lifecycle, from concept and investment approval through to operational handover.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, enabling effective collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups.
• A strong understanding of Health & Safety legislation and CDM Regulations.
• A passion for coaching, developing and enabling high-performing teams.

It Would Be Great If You Also Have

• Experience within the water, utilities or wider infrastructure sector.
• Chartered status, or you're actively working towards achieving it.
• Experience leading and developing teams of project professionals.
• Experience delivering projects within a regulated environment.
• A track record of operating at a senior level and influencing strategic decision-making.

If you're excited by the prospect of leading complex infrastructure programmes, influencing investment decisions and delivering projects that will shape the future of the region, we'd love to hear from you.

What's in it for you?

This is your opportunity to work on projects that genuinely matter. You'll help deliver essential infrastructure, enhance services for millions of customers and play a key role in creating a more resilient and sustainable future.

In return, we offer:

• Competitive salary of £67,000 to £80,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• Car allowance of £5,800 per annum.
• 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 (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

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.