At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead diverse water and wastewater programmes, ensuring safe and efficient delivery.
- Company: Join a leading organisation in the water sector with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits, hybrid work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the water industry while driving meaningful change.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in water sector leadership and programme management required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
Location: UK – Hybrid
Salary: DOE + Benefits & Bonus
Type: Perm
Overview of the role:
We are seeking an experienced Director of Water Delivery to lead the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of programmes across the water and wastewater sector. This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for overseeing multiple teams, projects, and programmes that are critical to operational performance, customer outcomes, regulatory commitments, and long-term business objectives.
The role will suit an individual who combines strong delivery leadership with deep water sector expertise and enjoys working across operations, engineering, capital investment, digital transformation, asset management, and organisational change. You will be responsible for ensuring programmes are delivered safely, effectively, and efficiently whilst creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Delivery Leadership
- Lead the delivery of a portfolio of complex water and wastewater programmes, projects, and initiatives.
- Provide strategic oversight across operational, capital, digital, and transformation activities.
- Ensure programmes are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to agreed quality standards.
- Establish effective governance, reporting, assurance, and performance management frameworks.
- Oversee programme risks, dependencies, issues, and resource requirements.
- Act as the senior escalation point for delivery challenges and operational issues.
- Drive a culture focused on delivery excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Operational & Programme Leadership
- Lead teams delivering improvements across water and wastewater operations.
- Support the successful delivery of operational performance, resilience, and customer outcome commitments.
- Drive programme prioritisation and resource alignment across multiple workstreams.
- Maintain visibility of programme performance and delivery outcomes.
- Stakeholder Management
- Build trusted relationships with senior internal stakeholders and leadership teams.
- Engage effectively with operational, engineering, regulatory, and programme delivery functions.
- Facilitate collaboration across business areas to ensure successful programme outcomes.
- Provide clear communication, challenge, and support to stakeholders at all levels.
- Represent delivery performance through executive governance forums and leadership meetings.
- People Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop programme and delivery teams.
- Foster a high-performing culture focused on ownership, collaboration, and results.
- Support capability development and succession planning across delivery functions.
- Create an environment where individuals are empowered to make decisions and deliver outcomes.
- Champion wellbeing, safety, and employee engagement.
- Continuous Improvement & Innovation
- Drive improvements in delivery methodology, governance, reporting, and operational effectiveness.
- Promote the adoption of innovative approaches, technologies, and best practice.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, and customer outcomes.
- Support the development of future delivery capability and organisational maturity.
What We're Looking For:
Essential Experience
- Significant experience delivering programmes, projects, or transformation initiatives within the UK water and/or wastewater sector.
- Proven leadership experience across one or more of the following: Water Operations, Wastewater Operations, Asset Management, Capital Delivery, Engineering & Infrastructure Programmes, Operational Performance Improvement, Digital Transformation, Network Operations, Control Room Operations.
- Experience leading large, multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong stakeholder management experience across operational, technical, and executive functions.
- Experience managing complex delivery portfolios with multiple concurrent workstreams.
- Strong understanding of governance, risk management, performance reporting, and programme controls.
- Demonstrable ability to deliver measurable business and operational outcomes.
Leadership Style
- Lead with credibility, pragmatism, and integrity.
- Balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery leadership.
- Build strong relationships and influence at all levels.
- Create clarity and direction in complex environments.
- Focus on outcomes rather than process for process' sake.
- Are comfortable operating in fast-paced, evolving environments.
- Empower teams whilst maintaining accountability for delivery.
Measures of Success
- Safe and successful delivery of programmes and projects.
- Achievement of operational, customer, and regulatory outcomes.
- Delivery against agreed time, cost, quality, and performance targets.
- Effective management of programme risks and dependencies.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and confidence.
- High levels of employee engagement and team performance.
- Continuous improvement in delivery capability and operational effectiveness.
Director of Water Services in Derby employer: Forsyth Barnes
As a leading employer in the water and wastewater sector, we offer a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while our commitment to employee development ensures that you will have ample opportunities for growth and advancement. Join us to lead impactful projects that not only meet regulatory commitments but also enhance customer outcomes, all while being part of a culture that prioritises safety, accountability, and employee wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Water Services in Derby
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the water sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their challenges and think about how your experience can help them succeed. Bring your A-game and show them you’re not just another candidate – you’re the one they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your leadership style and how you’ve driven successful outcomes in past roles. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and gives you another chance to highlight why you’re the best fit.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Water Services in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director of Water role. Highlight your experience in water and wastewater sectors, and showcase how your leadership style aligns with our values at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; focus on what you’ve achieved in previous roles. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead complex programmes and deliver results, as this is key for us.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your key points stand out and are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forsyth Barnes
✨Know Your Water Sector Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and challenges in the water and wastewater sector. Be prepared to discuss your experience with specific programmes or projects you've led, and how they align with the company's goals. This shows you're not just a leader but also someone who understands the industry deeply.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
During the interview, highlight your leadership style and how it aligns with the company's values. Share examples of how you've empowered teams and fostered a culture of accountability and collaboration. This will demonstrate that you can lead effectively while driving performance and delivering results.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios
Expect questions about stakeholder management and how you've navigated complex relationships in previous roles. Prepare specific examples where you've built trust and facilitated collaboration across different functions. This will illustrate your ability to engage effectively with senior leaders and operational teams.
✨Focus on Continuous Improvement
Be ready to discuss how you've driven continuous improvement in past roles. Talk about innovative approaches or technologies you've implemented to enhance operational effectiveness. This will show that you're not just about maintaining the status quo but are committed to evolving and improving delivery capabilities.
