Job title Head of Digital Governance Risk & Compliance Ref 44494 Division Digital Location Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Salary Competitive salary up to £95,000 per annum Job grade C Closing date 20/03/2026
As the Head of Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) within Thames Water’s Digital function, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight for all governance, risk management, and compliance activities across the digital landscape. Working closely with the Digital Leadership Team, audit and compliance functions, and senior stakeholders, you will ensure robust governance frameworks are embedded across Digital to support regulatory alignment, operational resilience, and effective risk management.
This role is critical in establishing and leading governance within Digital as part of Thames Water’s broader digital transformation journey, ensuring digital operations are delivered safely, securely, and in accordance with regulatory and industry best practices.
What you’ll be doing as Head of Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC)
* Develop and implement the governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) strategy and framework across the Digital function, ensuring alignment with Thames Water’s regulatory obligations and organisational objectives.
* Establish and monitor governance standards, processes, and controls across Digital to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.
* Lead the identification, assessment, and mitigation of digital risks, ensuring appropriate controls are implemented, monitored, and regularly reviewed.
* Schedule and oversee process audits, review audit outcomes, and support remediation activities to ensure continuous improvement in governance and compliance.
* Embed and manage the Digital governance framework, including assurance monitoring, reporting, and performance tracking.
* Develop, maintain, and communicate digital governance policies, standards, and procedures to ensure clarity and consistent adoption across teams.
* Engage with internal and external auditors, regulators, and key stakeholders, representing the Digital function in all GRC-related matters.
* Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement within the Digital function by embedding GRC principles into everyday operations.
* Support risk-informed decision making across the Digital function, contributing to investment decisions and ensuring risk positions are clearly understood.
* Provide governance insights and reporting to the Digital Leadership Team and wider Thames Water leadership to support strategic planning and operational oversight.
Working pattern – 36 hours Monday to Friday.
What you should bring to the role
* Proven experience in governance, risk, and compliance within a digital or technology-led environment, ideally within a large and complex organisation.
* Demonstrated ability to lead, influence, and engage senior stakeholders, translating complex governance and regulatory requirements into practical and effective solutions.
* Experience managing teams and driving cultural change in relation to governance, risk awareness, and compliance practices.
* Experience designing and implementing governance frameworks, policies, and processes from the ground up to support organisational and regulatory objectives.
Technical experience and skills
* Strong knowledge of governance, risk, and compliance frameworks relevant to digital and technology environments.
* Understanding of digital risk management methodologies, including risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and reporting processes.
* Experience establishing governance controls, assurance monitoring, and audit processes within digital or IT environments.
* Strong understanding of regulatory compliance requirements affecting digital and technology operations.
* Ability to interpret regulatory expectations and translate them into effective operational policies and procedures.
Desirable qualifications and experience
* Experience in vendor risk management and third-party assurance processes.
* Familiarity with emerging technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity trends and their implications for digital governance and compliance.
What’s in it for you?
* Competitive salary up to £95,000 per annum, depending on experience.
* Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays).
* Performance-related pay plan directly linked to both company and individual performance measures and targets.
* Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
* Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of yourself 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.
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.
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