Strategic Development Manager

Thames Water; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water and wastewater company in the UK seeks a Strategic Development Manager to drive growth and sustainable development. You will shape long-term plans, engage with stakeholders, and ensure alignment across teams while maintaining a strong customer focus. This hybrid role in Reading offers a salary between £60,000 – £70,000, along with generous benefits including holiday and pension schemes. Join a diverse and impactful team committed to making a difference.

Benefits

26 days holiday increasing to 30

Pension Scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

Performance-related pay plan

Qualifications

• Proven ability to build and manage strong stakeholder relationships.
• Experience leading, developing and motivating teams to deliver results.
• Strong understanding of how regulated businesses are funded.

Responsibilities

• Set direction for future growth with external partners.
• Maintain strong customer focus and manage escalations.
• Monitor performance, risks, and opportunities.

Skills

Stakeholder relationship management

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving skills

Team leadership

Organizational skills

IT competency

Adaptability

Job description

As Strategic Development Manager, you’ll play a key role in shaping how Thames Water supports growth and sustainable development across our region. You’ll lead the strategic direction of emerging markets, giving developers greater choice while positioning Thames Water as a proactive, trusted partner. This role is about spotting opportunities, shaping long‑term growth plans and delivering smart, integrated solutions that balance commercial success with positive environmental and customer outcomes.

What you’ll be doing as a Strategic Development Manager

You’ll help set the direction for future growth by working with external partners and local authorities to shape long‑term plans and identify new opportunities. You’ll look ahead, connect the dots across the business and ensure decisions support a single, joined‑up vision for growth.

You’ll play a key role in aligning teams, improving how we work and ensuring the customer experience is considered in strategic decisions. You’ll also support senior leaders by managing priorities, coordinating key meetings and helping keep focus on the things that matter most, while fostering a positive, inclusive environment that drives strong performance and results.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships across multiple teams and external stakeholders, aligning shared objectives while recognising individual priorities.
• Plan, organise and prioritise workloads to support efficient day‑to‑day operations and consistent service delivery.
• Maintain a strong customer focus, ensuring statutory timescales, service level agreements, escalations and complaints are managed effectively.
• Monitor performance, risks, opportunities and key metrics, providing clear reporting and timely escalation where required.
• Work collaboratively with peers and senior leaders to share insight, feedback and learning that drives continuous improvement.
• Lead, support and develop the team, creating a positive environment that encourages innovation, accountability and high performance.
• Actively promote a strong Health & Safety culture while influencing internal and external stakeholders to deliver aligned, value‑driven outcomes.

Base location: Clearwater Court, Reading – Hybrid with 2 days in the office
Working hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday

What you should bring to the role

• Proven ability to build and manage strong stakeholder relationships, with excellent analytical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience leading, developing and motivating teams to deliver high‑quality results.
• Strong understanding of how regulated businesses are funded, including planning, estimating and financial forecasting.
• Highly organised, able to plan, prioritise and manage workloads effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
• Confident and competent in using company IT systems and standard office software to support decision‑making.
• Comfortable operating at all levels of the organisation, from hands‑on delivery to engaging confidently with senior and executive stakeholders.
• Proactive and adaptable, anticipating change and supporting improvements to meet future customer and business needs.

What’s in it for you?

• Offering an annual salary of £60,000 – £70,000 depending on skills and experience.
• 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• 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.

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.

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.

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.

Team Thames

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.