Strategic Operations Head of Transformation

Thames Water; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK water company is seeking a Strategic Operations Head of Transformation to oversee a significant business transformation. The role involves defining and driving a complex programme of work, guiding matrix teams, and liaising with executive stakeholders. Candidates should have a proven track record in programme management, strong leadership abilities, and a passion for health and safety. The position offers a competitive salary between £95,000 & £115,000 with excellent benefits, including annual leave and a generous pension scheme.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual Leave

Car Allowance

Performance-related pay

Generous Pension Scheme

Private Medical Health Care

Health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Proven track record in successful definition and delivery of complex programmes.
• Experience in leading and managing large, distributed teams.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with budget management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Define and prioritise the programme of work.
• Challenge the status quo and ensure successful delivery.
• Act as a single point of contact for delivery status.

Skills

Self-motivation

Strategic thinking

Operational experience

Leadership

Health and safety advocacy

Financial acumen

Job description

Thames Water is undergoing a significant business transformation spanning all areas of the organisation, and as such, the environment is fluid, challenging, yet hugely rewarding.

What you’ll be doing as Strategic Operations Head of Transformation

Partnering with key members of the AOCD Leadership Team, you will operate as a trusted advisor and critical friend and be accountable for the delivery of the whole transformation programme. The role holder will operate across several different environments – sometimes leading matrix teams, sometimes executing actions themselves, and sometimes leading consultants. You will work with executive stakeholders across the business, ensuring scope is well defined, justified and successfully managed to enable the realisation of the benefits stated in the business case.

Day‑to‑day responsibilities

• Defining and prioritising the programme of work
• Actively challenging the status quo and ensuring successful delivery of business‑critical activity
• Act as the single point of contact and communicate with Directors and Exec regarding delivery status
• Understanding and managing inter‑dependencies with other portfolios across the business
• Contributing to, influencing, and taking responsibility for the realisation of strategic decisions within Thames Water related to transformation and change
• Leading and embedding change and industry ‘best in class’ standards & methodologies across the organisation
• Working with all Thames Water teams to ensure requirements are captured and delivered in line with what customers and colleagues would expect from a world‑class organisation
• Ensuring recognition of high performance, tackling underperformance and developing talent, articulating the benefits of change to stakeholders at all levels

Base Location can be flexible, with the expectation of being on‑site regularly. Travel across your region will also be expected.

Working Pattern: 36 hours a week.

What you should bring to the role

• Self‑motivation, drive and pragmatism, with a proven track record of successful definition and delivery of complex programmes, ideally within the Utilities industry.
• Strategic thinker with operational experience, ideally in programme and portfolio management, with a proven track record in delivering complex change in operational environments.
• Experience in leading, engaging and managing large, distributed teams.
• Passion for health and safety with a strong track record in fostering a culture of H&S excellence.
• Ability to be an Ambassador for Thames Water, proactively engaging and influencing stakeholders and developing sustainable relationships both within networks and the wider business.
• Advocacy for the environment with a demonstrable track record of compliance and environmental excellence.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with the ability to manage budgets and drive local accountability for cost control.

What’s in it for you

• Competitive salary between £95,000 & £115,000 per annum, depending on experience
• Annual Leave – 26 days per year, increasing to 30 days with length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Car Allowance
• Performance‑related pay plan linked to company performance measures and targets
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Private Medical Health Care – Grade C only
• Access to benefits supporting health, wellbeing and finances (annual health MOTs, physiotherapy, counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers, life assurance)

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers daily. We aim to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. This is a big job with a long way to go, and we need passionate, skilled people committed to making a difference.

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference. We offer meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and excellent benefits.

If you’re motivated by a sustainable and successful career that makes a daily difference to millions of lives while protecting the world’s water for future generations, we’ll support you every step of the way.

Accessibility and Inclusion

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from everyone and will support you throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments – extra time, accessible formats, or anything else – just let us know.

Final Note

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.