At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead capital programme assurance, ensuring governance and value across major investments.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking utilities organisation making a real impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension contributions, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth and influence in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape critical infrastructure strategies and lead a talented multidisciplinary team.
- Qualifications: Experience in capital programme assurance and strong project management skills required.
Head of Capital Programme Assurance | Utilities & Infrastructure
Ceto Talent is delighted to be supporting a leading utilities organisation in the appointment of an experienced Head of Capital Programme Assurance.
This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced capital programme professional who can provide strategic, commercial and technical assurance across a major investment portfolio.
You will play a key role in strengthening governance, programme controls, performance management and investment decision-making, ensuring capital programmes deliver maximum value and support long-term business objectives.
Working across a complex and fast-moving environment, you will lead a multidisciplinary team and work closely with senior stakeholders, delivery partners, consultants and supply chain organisations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the capital programme assurance framework, ensuring robust governance, controls, value and effective decision-making.
- Provide strategic and commercial input into investment cases, ensuring decisions are supported by high-quality evidence and analysis.
- Provide oversight of tactical programme planning, benefits realisation, risk reduction and portfolio optimisation.
- Lead, motivate and develop a collaborative multidisciplinary team, supporting continuous improvement and organisational change.
- Ensure effective programme controls, performance management and reporting processes are embedded across the capital portfolio.
- Drive a strong culture of risk, benefits and value management across projects, programmes and assets.
- Provide assurance over programme data, ensuring accuracy, consistency and meaningful management information.
- Identify opportunities to improve capital delivery efficiency, value optimisation and commercial outcomes.
- Support budget formulation, cost control, forecasting and financial reporting.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, delivery partners, contractors and supply chain organisations.
- Promote a strong safety culture and ensure programmes comply with relevant legislative, regulatory and quality requirements.
About You
We are looking for an experienced capital programme assurance or delivery leader with a strong background within utilities, infrastructure, construction, engineering or another asset-intensive environment.
You will ideally have
- Proven experience in capital programme assurance within a client-side utility, infrastructure or asset-intensive organisation.
- Experience leading capital programmes or managing a multidisciplinary programme/project management office within a complex operating environment.
- Strong knowledge of project and programme management methodologies across the full project lifecycle.
- The ability to analyse complex data and translate management information into clear recommendations and actionable insight.
- Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage with stakeholders from programme delivery teams through to executive level.
- Strong experience in risk, benefits, value and portfolio management.
- A strong understanding of whole-life asset management principles and their application to commercial and investment decisions.
- Commercial awareness with experience in budget management, cost control and financial reporting.
- Experience of programme governance, assurance frameworks and performance management.
- A degree in Engineering or another relevant discipline.
- Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution is desirable.
- A recognised project or programme management qualification such as APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent is desirable.
What’s On Offer?
This is an excellent opportunity to join a forward-thinking utilities organisation and take a leading role in shaping the assurance and governance of a significant capital investment programme.
You will have the opportunity to
- Influence major infrastructure investment and long-term asset strategies.
- Lead and develop a talented multidisciplinary team.
- Work closely with senior leadership and key delivery partners.
- Drive improvements in governance, commercial performance and programme delivery.
- Make a genuine impact on critical infrastructure and customer outcomes.
- Benefit from a comprehensive package including competitive pension contributions, bonus potential, enhanced family benefits, private medical insurance, life assurance and a range of employee benefits and discounts.
- Access flexible working arrangements where appropriate.
- Security & Eligibility
Successful applicants will be required to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks, including a basic disclosure check.
Depending on the requirements of the position, additional national security vetting may also be required.
Any offer of employment will be conditional upon satisfactory completion of the relevant checks.
Candidates must have the right to live and work in the UK.
Apply Now
If you are an experienced capital programme, infrastructure or asset management professional looking for your next senior leadership opportunity, we would be keen to hear from you.
Apply today or contact Ceto Talent for a confidential discussion about the role.
Please note that this vacancy may close early if a high volume of suitable applications is received
Head of Capital Programme Assurance in Havant employer: Ceto Talent
Ceto Talent is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where your expertise in water infrastructure projects will be valued and nurtured. Located near Chelmsford, Essex, we provide competitive pay, a company vehicle, and a strong commitment to employee growth through ongoing training and development opportunities. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the water sector while enjoying a supportive culture that prioritises safety and compliance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Capital Programme Assurance in Havant
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Ceto Talent, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Head of Capital Programme Assurance at Ceto Talent.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Capital Programme Assurance in Havant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ceto Talent
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!