Project Manager

We are looking for a self‑motivated, organised, and proactive Project Manager to join our team at Thames Water. In this role, you will be responsible for delivering significant technology and business change initiatives that enable us to achieve our strategic goals and deliver positive outcomes for our customers, communities, and the environment. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the transformation of the UK’s largest water company, supporting the delivery of innovative projects that build resilience for the future and make a daily difference to millions of customers.

What you’ll do as a Project Manager

• Project Leadership & Stakeholder Management
  • Lead and coordinate internal teams and third‑party vendors to ensure projects are delivered to agreed time, cost, quality, and outcomes.
  • Utilise effective statements of work (SOWs) and manage third‑party contributions appropriately.
  • Identify, engage, and manage both direct and indirect stakeholders up to Head of Department level.
  • Facilitate collaboration and communication across multiple functions, ensuring all parties remain aligned to project goals.
  • Review project closure reports, participate in lessons learned sessions, and apply key learnings to future projects.
  • Work semi‑independently, demonstrating confidence in your own knowledge and skills, with support from Programme or Senior Project Managers.
• Planning
  • Define and adopt suitable project management methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall) based on project needs.
  • Align project plans with Thames Water’s organisational goals and desired outcomes.
• Communication & Reporting
  • Maintain clear, consistent written and verbal communication with stakeholders across all levels.
  • Produce regular project status reports and updates tailored to stakeholder needs.
  • Provide transparent communication up to Head of Department level regarding project progress, risks, and decisions.
• Risk & Issue Management
  • Identify, assess, and proactively manage project risks and issues, escalating through governance where appropriate.
  • Conduct regular project review meetings covering cost, schedule, resources, RAID, and RAG status.
  • Manage project dependencies both within and across programmes.
  • Problem‑solve collaboratively with stakeholders to maintain progress and ensure successful delivery.
• Financial Planning & Control
  • Create and maintain project cost models, including actuals, accruals, and forecasts.
  • Ensure financial governance and control processes are followed in line with project budgets (up to £5m).

Base location – Hybrid – Clearwater Court, Reading

Working pattern – 36 hours, Monday to Friday

What you should bring to the role

Essential Experience

• Degree qualification.
• Proven experience in delivering IT or business change projects.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing up to Head of Department level.
• Experience managing project delivery within agreed time, cost, and quality parameters.

Essential Technical Skills & Qualifications

• Experience of using different delivery methodologies such as Agile and Waterfall.
• Experience in IT Project Management.
• Strong understanding of project governance, RAID management, and financial tracking.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills with the ability to tailor messaging for different audiences.

Desirable Experience

• Experience delivering IT projects involving third‑party suppliers.
• Experience developing and managing Statements of Work (SOWs) and supplier relationships.
• Experience in utilities, water, or other regulated industries.
• Track record of ensuring smooth project transitions into operational service.

Desirable Technical Skills & Qualifications

• Agile Project Management or Scrum certification.
• Prince2 or equivalent project management qualification.
• Technical knowledge aligned with IT or digital transformation projects.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary of up to £65,000 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 company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you 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.

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.

Working at Thames Water

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?

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.