Senior Project Manager – Client-Side Leadership | Major Capital Delivery
Shape the Future of Infrastructure in the Thames Valley
Are you a Senior Project Manager who wants to do more than deliver projects - someone who thrives on shaping strategy, influencing outcomes, and leading from the client side? At Thames Water, this is your opportunity to take full ownership of complex, multi-million-pound infrastructure projects, guiding them from concept through to completion while making decisions that truly matter. As a trusted leader within our Capital Delivery Programme, you’ll drive high-impact projects that support millions of customers, play a key role in our Turnaround Plan, and help build a more resilient, sustainable future -working in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment where your influence, expertise and leadership genuinely make a difference.
As a Senior Project Manager, you will:
- Lead with Ownership – Take full accountability for safety, cost, programme, quality and risk across your project portfolio
- Drive End-to-End Delivery – Shape projects from initial concept and business case through to construction and handover
- Act as the Client Voice – Represent Thames Water as a strategic client, setting direction and ensuring delivery partners perform
- Influence & Collaborate – Build strong relationships across internal teams, regulators and supply chain partners to unlock delivery
- Champion Health & Safety – Lead a proactive, safety-first culture across all project activity
- Shape Smarter Solutions – Define innovative, value-driven project solutions and develop compelling business cases
- Enhance Performance – Drive continuous improvement and contribute to ambitious programme outcomes
- Commercial Oversight – Ensure contracts are managed effectively to deliver best value and performance
- Ensure Governance Excellence – Maintain compliance, risk management and smooth transition into operations
- Develop Future Talent – Support and mentor others, helping build capability across the wider team
Hybrid – Clearwater Court, Reading, expected to work in the home office, minimum 2 days per week and visit sites 1 day per week.
36 hours per week, Monday to Friday
What you should bring to the role
- Be an experienced Senior Project Manager with a proven track record of delivering high-value/complex projects, end-to-end in the built environment and directly for a Client.
- A person who enjoys leading with purpose - someone who values collaboration, ownership and making a meaningful impact through infrastructure delivery in a regulated industry. You may already be operating at a senior level, or, with your substantial experience behind you, you might be ready to step up into a broader, more influential role where your voice and expertise shape outcomes.
- With a background in engineering (or a related discipline) and a related degree, you will apply best practice project management methodologies, bringing a structured and thoughtful approach to delivering complex projects - balancing cost, schedule, risk and quality to achieve the best results.
- You’re confident working across the full project lifecycle, from shaping early ideas and building business cases through to delivery and handover. Just as importantly, you’re a natural relationship builder - able to bring people together, influence decisions and create alignment across diverse teams and stakeholders.
- You’ll also have a strong appreciation for Health & Safety, including CDM Regulations, and feel comfortable making sound, risk-based decisions in complex environments.
- A passion for mentoring and developing others.
It would be great if you also have:
- Experience within water, utilities or a related infrastructure environment
- Chartered status (or you’re working towards it - we’ll support you)
- Experience and a passion for line managing a team of project professionals
- Experience working at a senior level, or the ambition and capability to step into one
We recognise that no candidate will tick every box - and that’s okay. If this role excites you, and you have a track record of delivering projects for a client in the built environment and a regulated industry, then we’d love to hear from you.
What's in it for you?
- Competitive salary from £67,000 to £80,000 per annum depending on skills and 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 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.
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.
