Transformation Portfolio Manager
Location: Clearwater Court, Reading (RG1 8DB) – Hybrid
Working hours: 36 hours per week, Monday–Friday
Travel: Required to operational sites 2–3 times per week
What you’ll be doing
We have an exciting opportunity for a Transformation Portfolio Manager to join us in a brand-new role, shaping how we deliver transformation across our operations.
This is a high-impact leadership role at the heart of our transformation agenda. You’ll take ownership of our Strategic Operations & Transformation portfolio, building and embedding a consistent approach to PMO governance, reporting, and delivery across multiple programmes.
As a hands-on and innovative leader, you’ll design and implement frameworks that bring structure, clarity, and pace to delivery—ensuring our transformation programmes deliver real value for our business and customers.
You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders, programme teams, and business leaders, creating a joined-up approach to portfolio management while driving continuous improvement and smarter ways of working.
Key accountabilities
- Shape and lead our transformation portfolio – establishing robust governance, standards, and best practices across programmes.
- Build and embed a high-performing PMO function, creating structure across portfolios to streamline delivery.
- Own portfolio-level reporting and insight, delivering clear, data-driven updates to senior leadership.
- Drive performance and value delivery, ensuring programmes are aligned to strategic priorities and delivering measurable benefits.
- Lead resource and capacity planning, enabling effective allocation across programmes.
- Manage risks, issues, and dependencies across the portfolio, driving proactive resolution.
- Act as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders, influencing decision-making and prioritisation.
- Develop and lead a team, coaching and supporting colleagues to build capability and consistency.
What you should bring to the role
We’re looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking leader who thrives in a fast-paced transformation environment and is excited by the opportunity to build something new.
- Proven experience in a portfolio or senior PMO leadership role, ideally within transformation or change.
- Strong people leadership and team management experience.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage at senior levels.
- Experience managing complex portfolios and multiple programmes simultaneously.
- Strong analytical mindset, with the ability to turn data into clear, actionable insight.
- A proactive, hands-on approach, with the ability to shape and implement new ways of working.
- A passion for continuous improvement and driving delivery excellence.
Desirable:
- Project or programme management qualifications. (e.g., PRINCE2, MSP, PMP)
- Experience in large operational or regulated environments.
What’s in it for you?
- Salary up to £78,000 per annum.
- Annual Leave - 24 days holiday per year, increasing to 28 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays).
- Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
- Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
- 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 (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)
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 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.
