Water Project Manager Operations · Reading, Salford ·

Department: Project Delivery

Reports to: Senior Water Project Manager

Location: The Midlands

The Opportunity

We’re looking for someone who can bring expertise and leadership to ensure every installation is completed to specification and in line with current legislation and industry best practice. As a BAU Water Project Manager, you’ll oversee the installation of potable water infrastructure, managing the process with a strong focus on quality and design compliance. Acting as the single point of contact for customers and stakeholders, you’ll guide projects through post-sales and pre-adoption stages, ensuring a smooth and professional experience throughout. This role is central to the delivery phase, supporting activities that include programme forecasting, financial control, subcontractor management and defect resolution, all while maintaining rigorous standards for safety, health and environmental compliance. It’s an opportunity to take ownership of projects that matter and represent Leep with integrity and excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others affected by your actions or omissions.
• Ensure that all activities related to your BAU Water Project Delivery aligns with UK SHE legislation and any regulatory licence obligations.
• Follow all Leep SHEQ policies and procedures.
• Embody and promote Leep Utilities' core values in all decisions and behaviour.
• Identify and raise process improvements and efficiencies with the BAU Water Senior PM.
• Ensure activities are carried out in accordance with the team's Table of Accountability (ToA) and RACI matrix.
• Promptly elevate issues using the correct channels and ensure resolution or acknowledgment.
• Work alongside the Operations directorate to support forecasting for connections for growth across your projects and help identify any additional resources that may be needed.
• Support the ad hoc day‑to‑day business needs associated with safe, technically robust, regulatory, legislative and efficient adoption and construction for your BAU Water Projects.
• Support the forecasting process within the Operations Directorate helping provide well‑informed realistic projections for connections growth in the delivery of each project.

Role Specific

• Ensure BAU Water Projects are delivered as per Leep's current process and documented procedures.
• Accountable that all assigned project design activity is completed by accredited third parties and properly logged and reported in line with Guaranteed Standards of Performance (GSOP).
• Manage each project in line with the capital budget, tracking performance, and ensure compliance with financial, commercial and regulatory requirements.
• Accountable that financial controls are adhered to, including timely purchase order management, invoice review, and variance reporting across all assigned projects eg. Design variance costs.
• Conduct regular audits of all sites and partners ensuring that any issues or defects are managed to resolution using the current company systems and procedures.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless asset handover with all documentation and contracts in place and that installation standards and pre‑water commissioning and testing meets or exceeds regulatory requirements.
• Provide ad hoc operational support to the SPM and Head of Project Delivery on all assigned BAU Water Projects for site enquiries or escalations.
• Ensuring assets are delivered to best industry standards.

About You

• 5 years’ experience of working in Project Management or Team Supervision capacity within a SLP or Water Company.
• Demonstrable experience of the design and construction of potable water infrastructure.
• A good working knowledge of the Water Industry NAV process.
• Excellent knowledge of multi‑utility industry asset standards such as NJUG.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills with experience of developing and managing personnel.
• Financial acumen and a track record of adhering to budgets.
• Working knowledge of H&S management and audits.
• An understanding of water regulatory standards applicable to the business and the processes required to be compliant with them.
• Expert knowledge of asset adoption and delivery legal documentation requirements.
• Strong computer and reporting skills.

Your Development and Benefits

At Leep, we believe in stable growth and putting our people first. Our 5‑year strategic growth plan gives us stability today and prepares us for the future, while nurturing a strong collaborative and supportive culture. Our Benefits Include:

• Salary which aligns to your experience and skillset.
• 25 days paid holiday + bank holidays.
• An additional day off to celebrate your birthday.
• Annual discretionary bonus.
• Car allowance.
• Company pension plan.
• Health Cash plan through Westfield Health.
• Option to purchase additional holiday days through our Holiday Buying Scheme.
• Engagement committee with events throughout the year, including Summer Party and individual team socials.
• Paid professional memberships relevant to your role and access to professional development opportunities.

Our Values

Safety, Customer Promise, Accountability, Reliability, Respect, Flexibility.

Equal Opportunities

Leep Utilities is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. If you require any appropriate accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know.