Technical Strategy Lead - Network

idibu; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 62,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water management company in the UK is seeking a Technical Strategy Lead to develop long-term strategies for water networks. The role involves engaging with stakeholders, developing decision support tools, and ensuring efficient delivery plans. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in water network assets, excellent analytical and communication skills, and a passion for sustainable practices.

Benefits

Competitive salary from £62,215 to £70,000

26 days holiday per year

Car Allowance

Performance-related pay plan

Generous Pension Scheme

Private Medical Health Care

Access to health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Proven strategic understanding of water network assets.
• Ability to deliver complex work plans on time and within budget.
• Keen interest in government and stakeholder objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of long-term technical strategy for water networks.
• Develop decision support tools for technical rehabilitation plans.
• Engage with stakeholders to influence and understand risks.

Skills

Analytical skills

Technical writing

Communication skills

Team player

Proficiency in MS Applications

Education

Degree in relevant field or significant experience

Job description

Overview

In this role, you will help to shape the future capability of our business by leading the development of our longer-term water network strategy. Your focus will be on the development of a long-term blueprint plan for the water network, looking to influence government and regulatory objectives, and innovation to improve the cost-effective delivery of our service, aiming to achieve improved resilience to bursts, reducing supply interruptions and leakage, and providing the safe and reliable service our customers expect.

What you’ll be doing

What you’ll be doing as a Technical Strategy Lead - Network

You will act as a lead for the water network (trunk and distribution mains) long-term technical strategy to provide long-term delivery plans, focusing on development over at least the next 25 years.

Key responsibilities

• Technical development of network strategies (trunk mains and distribution mains) and deliverable long-term plans for water networks that form part of the water system strategy.
• Provide a blueprint for our network into the 2050s that meets our customers’ needs and provides a safe, cost-effective and commercially deliverable programme that achieves our performance goals.
• Develop and maintain a strong stakeholder base across water companies, regulators, etc, to influence and understand risks and opportunities.
• Lead on the development and use of decision support tools to provide technical long-term rehabilitation plans that balance multiple performance criteria, risk and cost to meet the business need.
• Work closely with the operations, innovation, engineering team and others to understand their needs, areas of development and their ability to provide opportunities within the system strategies.
• As a part of the long-term plan, work with asset planning and water resources teams to develop the water network strategy business case for PR29 that meets business and regulatory requirements.
• Understand the long-term objectives of our government, customers, key stakeholders, and regulators and influence and embed them into our work. Influence the same to ensure the long-term plan, scope and costs is understood and accepted.

Location and hours

Base location: Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB

Working pattern or hours: 36 hours, Monday- Friday

What you should bring to the role

The essential criteria to help you succeed in this role are:

• A keen interest in long-term objectives of government, our customers, and stakeholders.
• Proven strategic and technical understanding of water network assets.
• Proven analytical skills.
• Proven skills in technical writing.
• Proven completer-finisher, with an ability to deliver complex work plans, achieving quality outputs on time and on budget.
• Proven ability to communicate complex subjects and influence internal and external audiences.
• Numerate and proficient in the use of MS Applications.
• Excellent team player

Extra qualities

That would be a great fit for our team:

• Ideally, degree qualified or significant experience in similar roles.
• Professional membership of an engineering, environmental or asset management organisation is an advantage.
• Awareness of the regulatory water industry process

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £62,215 to £70,000 per annum depending on experience.
• 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 both company and individual 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 fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, 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.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, 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.