OT Construction Lead
As an OT Construction Lead you will play a key role within the OT and digital transformation function at Thames Water, leading the organisation’s approach to safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of Operational Technology (OT) construction and installation activities across a complex operational estate. Working closely with programme and project managers, engineering teams, contractors, and site operations, you will ensure that construction delivery is well‑coordinated, standards‑driven, and aligned to both regulatory and organisational requirements.
This role contributes to Thames Water’s operational resilience by ensuring OT assets are installed, commissioned and handed over safely and effectively, supporting the transformation of the organisation’s digital and operational infrastructure.
What you’ll be doing as an OT Construction Lead
* Lead OT construction, installation and site‑based delivery activities, ensuring compliance with CDM 2015 regulations.
* Establish and manage construction delivery frameworks, ensuring consistency and adoption across all OT programmes.
* Collaborate with stakeholders to plan and coordinate construction readiness, ensuring alignment with project objectives.
* Develop, maintain & review documentation including PCI, RAMS, Construction Phase Plans and supporting records.
* Coordinate the flow of construction information, ensuring contractors work from accurate and up‑to‑date documentation.
* Validate construction readiness, including permits, site data, access arrangements and enabling works.
* Oversee contractor activities, ensuring compliance with safety, quality and delivery expectations.
* Monitor construction quality and ensure adherence to OT technical standards, resolving non‑conformances.
* Support commissioning, testing and handover of OT assets, ensuring all documentation and risks are addressed.
* Maintain risk registers, RAID logs and delivery trackers to support governance and reporting.
* Develop dashboards and reports to provide visibility of construction progress and performance.
* Coordinate across programme and project managers, engineers, operations teams and suppliers to resolve issues and dependencies.
* Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory and organisational standards across all construction activities.
* Drive continuous improvement in OT construction processes, standards and delivery models.
* Support safe integration of new OT assets into live operational environments.
Base location – Hybrid – Reading (STW) – RG2 0RP
Working pattern – 36 hours Monday to Friday.
What you should bring to the role
* Proven experience managing construction‑related activities within a regulated or operational environment.
* Strong knowledge of CDM 2015 regulations and construction safety practices.
* Experience working with OT, SCADA, telemetry or similar operational technologies.
* Ability to coordinate principal contractors, contractors, stakeholders and site activities effectively.
* Strong analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
* Experience managing technical documentation and construction records.
* Excellent communication skills, able to engage both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
* Strong organisational and planning capabilities in complex delivery environments.
* Proactive and detail‑oriented mindset with a focus on safety, quality and compliance.
Technical experience and skills
* Strong understanding of OT systems, including SCADA, telemetry, instrumentation and automation.
* Experience supporting construction, installation or commissioning in utilities or infrastructure environments.
* Ability to interpret and validate technical drawings, RAMS, CPP and design documentation.
* Experience reviewing technical requirements, scopes and supplier deliverables.
* Knowledge of construction assurance processes, including audits and compliance checks.
* Ability to monitor delivery progress, track performance metrics and support programme reporting.
* Commercial awareness, including reviewing supplier quotations and supporting procurement processes.
Desirable experience
* Experience working within utilities, critical infrastructure or regulated industries and coordinating multidisciplinary construction activities across multiple sites.
* Familiarity with legacy OT systems and complex operational environments.
* Experience supporting large‑scale transformation or infrastructure programmes.
Desirable technical skills and qualifications
* Qualification in a relevant engineering or construction discipline (e.g. HNC/HND, NVQ or apprenticeship).
* SMSTS, NEBOSH, IOSH or other construction safety qualifications.
* CSCS Manager/Supervisor card or equivalent.
* Knowledge of commissioning and handover processes for OT assets.
* Understanding of SharePoint or similar systems for document and information management.
* Familiarity with risk management tools such as RAID logs and construction tracking systems.
What’s in it for you?
* Competitive salary between £44,000 and £66,000 per annum, depending on experience.
* Annual leave – 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with length of service (plus bank holidays).
* Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
* Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
* Health and wellbeing benefits including annual health MOTs, physiotherapy, counselling, cycle‑to‑work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
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.
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