Role: Head of Delivery – Water (Ref: 195904)
Location: West Midlands – Hybrid
Salary: DOE + Benefits
Type: Perm
Contact: annabel.hotchkiss@forsythbarnes.com
Overview of the Head of Delivery – Water
Our client is a delivery-focused consultancy that partners with organisations to deliver complex technology, data, and operational transformation programmes. We combine deep subject matter expertise with modern delivery practices to help clients solve critical industry challenges and unlock meaningful value.
This role is sat within the water team and experience is required.
Our teams work at the heart of large-scale programmes, embedding with clients to provide leadership, delivery structure, and specialist knowledge that enables transformation at pace.
As we continue to grow our presence in the utilities sector, we are looking for a Head of Delivery – Water to lead major transformation initiatives and help shape the companies water industry capability.
Smart Network experience would be highly beneficial.
The Role
The Head of Delivery – Water will be a senior leader responsible for leading and overseeing complex transformation programmes within the UK water sector. This role combines industry subject matter expertise, programme delivery leadership, and consulting capability to ensure successful outcomes for our clients.
You will act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders while leading teams delivering large-scale programmes across technology, data, regulatory, and operational transformation initiatives.
In addition to programme leadership, you will play a key role in growing Business’s water sector offering, supporting business development, shaping delivery approaches, and mentoring delivery leaders.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the delivery of complex water sector transformation programmes, ensuring successful outcomes across multiple workstreams and teams.
* Establish strong governance, delivery frameworks, and reporting structures across programmes.
* Manage programme risks, dependencies, and delivery challenges in highly regulated environments.
* Ensure programmes are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned to strategic client objectives.
Water Industry Expertise
* Provide subject matter expertise across water industry operations, regulation, and transformation.
* Support clients in navigating regulatory pressures, operational efficiency initiatives, and technology-driven change.
* Translate industry challenges into practical transformation programmes and delivery roadmaps.
* Bring insight into industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices.
* Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders and executive sponsors.
* Act as a strategic advisor on delivery approach, programme structure, and transformation strategy.
* Represent the Business as a senior consulting leader within client engagements.
* Manage client expectations while maintaining delivery transparency and accountability.
* Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams including delivery managers, engineers, architects, and analysts.
* Create high-performing delivery environments that emphasise collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
* Develop delivery capability within the water sector.
Business Growth & Sector Development
* Support the growth of the companies water sector practice.
* Contribute to proposals, client engagements, and new opportunities.
* Help shape the water transformation propositions and delivery frameworks.
* Act as a visible industry leader representing the company within the sector.
What We’re Looking For
Experience
* Significant experience delivering large-scale transformation programmes within the UK water sector.
* Strong consulting experience, ideally within a consultancy, advisory firm, or transformation partner.
* Experience leading multi-million pound programmes with complex stakeholder environments.
* Proven track record of delivering technology, digital, data, or operational transformation.
* Experience working with senior leadership teams within utilities organisations.
Industry Knowledge
* Deep understanding of the UK water industry, including operational challenges and regulatory context.
* Experience working on programmes related to areas such as:
* Digital transformation
* Operational improvement
* Data and asset management
* Regulatory or compliance-driven change
* Enterprise technology delivery
Skills
* Exceptional programme and delivery leadership.
* Strong consulting mindset with the ability to diagnose problems and structure solutions.
* Excellent stakeholder and executive communication skills.
* Commercial awareness and experience managing consulting engagements.
* Ability to lead large, multi-disciplinary delivery teams.
Personal Attributes
* Strategic thinker with strong execution capability.
* Highly credible industry leader and trusted advisor.
* Collaborative leadership style with the ability to build strong teams.
* Outcome-driven with a strong sense of accountability.
Please contact annabel.hotchkiss@forsythbarnes.com for more information.
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