Programme Manager - Data Transformation

At Thames Water, we make a daily difference to our 16 million customers by supplying 2.6 billion litres of water through 32,000 km of pipes, keeping taps flowing and toilets flushing. We deliver life's essential service so our customers, communities and the environment can thrive.

As the UK’s largest water company, we are taking action for a new world of water - fixing the problems of today and building resilience for tomorrow. In digital transformation, this means leveraging data and technology to transform our organisational capability, drive innovation and deliver impactful change to our customers, communities and the environment. 

Building on industry recognised innovation, we continue to push new boundaries in how data underpins and drives our business forward in both our day-to-day processes as well as strategic planning and decision making.  As the Digital lead responsible for defining and delivering new data solutions to support our Asset Operations and Capital Delivery functions, you will bring experience of having led enterprise-wide data transformation programmes, defining roadmaps of change and success with C-Suite stakeholders and, ideally, understand and appreciate how to operate in a heavily regulated industry.  Experience with Microsoft, SAP, Oracle or similar enterprise level data platforms will be essential, and experience with intelligent automation and robotic tools is desirable.

What you’ll be doing as a Programme Manager
As a Programme Manager, your role encompasses several critical tasks. You are entrusted with both overseeing sub portfolios of work and delivering significant technology and business change initiatives that propel Thames’ progress toward achieving business area goals and desired outcomes. Here are the key aspects of your responsibility:

Leadership and Coordination: You have direct line management responsibilities in managing project management teams across a programme/sub portfolio.  Also, you will lead both internal teams and third-party collaborators, employing a combination of line management and matrix management approaches.

Stakeholder Management: You will be a great stakeholder manager, who is able to work collaboratively and influence a wide range of stakeholders up to and including executive level.

Goal Achievement: Your primary objective is to ensure successful outcomes that align with business priorities. This involves meeting project/programme and sub portfolio level goals within specified timelines, adhering to budget constraints, and maintaining alignment with the scope.

Effective Transition: As a project/programme within a sub portfolio nears completion, you will ensure a smooth transition into service. This involves seamless integration of any project deliverables into the operational environment.

Financial and Commercial Acumen: Given the collaborative nature of your role, financial and commercial expertise is essential. You will work closely with our digital colleagues, supplier and finance teams to optimise project resources and costs.  Costs must account for both delivery and run costs. Leading on the development of business cases

Domain Advantage: While not mandatory, experience in utilities or water-related projects would be advantageous. We are looking for programme managers with a wide range of experience who can bring this to their delivery at Thames Water.
Base Location: Clearwater Court, Reading - Hybrid

Working Pattern: Full Time

What you should bring to the role
Essential:

• Significant experience of Digital / IT programme management delivery role, managing complex projects with multiple internal and external stakeholders/third parties
• Experience of financial management up to £10m per annum
• Experience of delivery data programmes (Data warehouses, BI reporting, Data Insights, RPA/Intelligent Automation)
• Experience with Microsoft, SAP, Oracle or similar enterprise level data platforms
• Line management experience
• Delivery of IT projects involving management of third-party suppliers
• SAFe Practitioner, Scrum Master or equivalent
• PRINCE 2 Practitioner or equivalent
• Experience of working with different delivery methodologies i.e. Agile, Waterfall

Desirable:

• Experience with intelligent automation and robotic tools
• Development /management of SOWs/Third party suppliers and supplier management
• Management of platform replacements involving significant business change
• Ability to challenge supplier cost
• Exposure to Lean methodology

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary between £80,000 - £90,000 per annum depending on experience
• Annual Leave 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (Plus bank holidays)
• Car Allowance
• Annual Bonus
• Private Medical Health Care
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year
• Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing

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, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.

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.