Strategic Operations Head of Transformation

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading, Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility provider in the UK is seeking a Strategic Operations Head of Transformation to lead major operational transformations. The role requires senior-level experience in operations, strategic vision, and the ability to manage complex changes within a large organization. Candidates must demonstrate a strong track record in transformation, especially in a utility context. The position offers a competitive salary and the opportunity to shape the future of the organization through innovative leadership.

Benefits

Competitive salary between £95,000 & £115,000

26 days annual leave increasing to 30

Performance-related pay plan

Generous pension scheme

Private medical health care

Access to various health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Experience leading and managing distributed teams.
• Proven track record in delivering complex change.
• Strong culture of health and safety excellence.

Responsibilities

• Define and prioritize the program of work.
• Lead and embed change across the organization.
• Work with executive stakeholders to manage project scopes.

Skills

Senior operations transformation experience

Self-motivation and pragmatism

Strategic thinker

Strong financial and commercial acumen

Ability to influence stakeholders

Job description

Hybrid - Camelford House, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP, Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB

Job title Strategic Operations Head of Transformation Ref 42414 Division Asset Operations & Capital Delivery Location Hybrid - Camelford House, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP, Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Hours 36 hours a week Salary Competitive salary between £95,000 & £115,000 per annum depending on previous experience. Job grade C Closing date 30/01/2026

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

We are looking for an experienced Head of Transformation to oversee and lead the delivery of several major high-profile operational programmes, including scaling our capital to ensure our spend is in an efficient and effective way that will directly influence whether we are to deliver our AMP8 plan and commitments to regulators.

What you’ll be doing as a 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.

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, you will be responsible for:

• Defining and prioritising the programme of work.
• Actively challenge the status quo and ensure the successful delivery of the business-critical activity.
• Act as the single point of contact, as well as communicating with Directors and Exec regarding delivery status.
• Understand and manage the inter-dependencies with other portfolios across the business.
• Contribute to, influence, and take responsibility for the realisation of strategic decisions within Thames Water which relate to transformation and change.
• Lead and embed change and industry ‘best in class’ standards & methodologies across the organisation.
• Work with all Thames Water teams to ensure requirements are captured and delivered in line with what our customers and colleagues would expect to see from a world-class organisation.
• Ensure 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 is 36 hours a week.

What you should bring to the role

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

• Senior operations transformation experience within a large organisation.
• Self‑motivation, drive and pragmatism are critical, as is a proven track record of successful definition and delivery of complex programmes, ideally within the Utilities industry.
• Be a strategic thinker with operational experience, ideally in programme and portfolio management, with a proven track record in delivering complex change in operational environments.
• You will have experience in leading, engaging and managing large, distributed teams.
• Passion for health and safety with a strong track record in fostering a strong culture of H&S excellence.
• Ability to be an Ambassador for Thames Water with demonstrable ability to proactively engage and influence stakeholders and develop sustainable, long‑lasting relationships both with networks and in the wider business.
• Be an advocate for the environment with a demonstrable track record of compliance and environmental excellence.
• Have strong financial and commercial acumen with demonstrable ability to manage budget and to drive local accountability for cost control.

Please include a short cover letter with your application that outlines an example of when you were leading through a significant organisational transformation and encountered major challenges. Please include brief details of the operational size. For example, the financial impact & number of employees affected by changes.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary between £95,000 & £115,000 per annum, depending on previous experience.
• Annual Leave - 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.
• 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.

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.

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.