Ready to lead one of the UK's most significant water infrastructure projects? At Thames Water, we’re shaping the future of water resilience for generations to come. We’re looking for an experienced Project Development Manager to lead the development of the Lower Thames to West London Reservoir (LTWLR) – a nationally significant £1 billion Strategic Resource Option (SRO) designed to improve drought resilience while protecting the environment.
This is a rare opportunity to take a senior client‑side leadership role on a project of national importance, influencing outcomes from early development through planning and procurement. As the client lead for the scheme, you will report to the Head of Scheme Development and work at the heart of our Strategic Water Resources team. You will be responsible for the day‑to‑day leadership of the project and its multi‑disciplinary delivery teams, leading the overall development and delivery of the LTWLR SRO and ensuring safety, quality, cost and schedule requirements are met.
Responsibilities
* Set and own project requirements, strategies, standards, design principles, milestones and budgets.
* Manage a large, multi‑disciplinary Technical Partner, acting as Service Manager under an NEC4 contract.
* Own and maintain the project baseline, including scope, cost estimates, schedules and risk assessments.
* Ensure robust governance, change control and escalation of decisions where required.
* Oversee the delivery of technical outputs to support planning, procurement and regulatory processes, including RAPID Gate submissions.
* Act as the primary interface between project sponsors, the SRO team, Technical Partners and Thames Water corporate functions.
* Represent the project with internal and external stakeholders, including active participation in community engagement.
* Drive a strong culture of safety, wellbeing and collaboration aligned to Thames Water values.
Qualifications
* Degree‑level education (or equivalent experience).
* Proven leadership experience on major infrastructure or capital projects.
* Experience in roles such as Project Manager, Project Sponsor, Design Manager or Development Manager.
* Strong stakeholder management skills, with ability to influence across organisations with competing priorities.
* Sound commercial awareness and experience working with large consultancy or delivery partners.
* Excellent communication, collaboration and influencing skills.
* Strong project management capability, with ability to manage multiple priorities.
Desirable
* Chartered status (or working towards) with a relevant professional body.
* Experience of projects progressing through DCO or similarly complex planning processes.
* Significant engineering or technical background.
* Knowledge across the full project lifecycle.
Location and Working Arrangements
Hybrid working – split between Reading and London offices, with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office (or as required by the project).
Salary and Benefits
* Salary: £71,000 – £85,000 per annum, depending on experience.
* 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with length of service (plus bank holidays).
* Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
* Generous pension scheme through AON.
* Access to health and wellbeing benefits, including annual health MOTs, physiotherapy and counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
Disability Confident
We are a Disability Confident employer and offer an interview to any applicant who declares a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the role.
#J-18808-Ljbffr