Head of PMO - Asset Management and Engineering

With the scale of increase in AMP8 investment, there is a once in a generation opportunity to establish a central AO&CD PMO that will drive greater visibility, end-to-end control and oversight of all capex investment, and build capability.

The Asset, Operations & Capital Delivery (AO&CD) Portfolio Management Office (PMO) is designed as a ‘hub and spoke’ delivery model. This model enables the ‘Hub’ PMO to provide critical delivery and enable PMO services and the ‘Spoke’ PMOs in Asset Management & Engineering (AM&E), Capital Delivery (CD) and Renewals & Logistics (R&L) to drive standardised delivery across the AO&CD Project Lifecycle and enable the AMP8 Strategic Sponsor delivery model. Each ‘spoke’ PMO therefore sits functionally within the relevant team (either CD, AM&E or R&L) to manage and control a defined number of programmes and projects at various stages of the lifecycle.

You will be responsible for setting up and running the Asset Management & Engineering 'spoke' PMO on a day-to-day basis. You will report to the AO&CD PMO Director but day to day will be embedded in the AM&E team and responsible for the operation of processes, procedures, work instructions within the Spoke team and for the integration of the relevant disciplines (Scope & Integration, Planning & Scheduling, Cost control, Risk management, System & Processes & Change control etc), to ensure that the AM&E Director and the AO&CD Leadership team receives timely and accurate progress reports, financial data and other performance information.

Drawing upon your background in programme/project management and harnessing strong leadership skills, you will act as an expert adviser, providing advice, strategic challenge, overview and scrutiny to ensure alignment with Thames Water's wider policy to deliver TW’s strategic priorities.

Purpose of the Role:

As Head of AM&E PMO, you will manage several specialist, cross-discipline teams embedded in the AM&E PMO (including Scope & Integration, Planning & Scheduling, Cost control, Risk management, System & Processes & Change control) but will also play a key conduit role between the services provided by the AM&E PMO and the central services provided by the 'Hub' PMO team (Head of PMO Controls, Head of Baseline Management, Head of Reporting & Insights and Head of Portfolio Governance & Assurance). Responsible for the operation of the Portfolio Controls Framework and Digital Tools & Systems within the AM&E spoke PMO. Implementing the standards and frameworks in the spoke PMO team. Deployment of PMO resources across the programmes.

What you should bring to the role:

• Experience in implementing processes, standards and ways of working in a programme and or project environment.
• Substantial experience in the delivery of project governance, control and reporting for programmes and projects.
• Strong senior leadership skills to manage, influence, and motivate teams and lead change in and outside of PMO Spoke.
• Experience in gathering, analysing and presenting complex information to different audiences to support strategic decision-making.
• Experience in building team capability to ensure standards are maintained and improved.
• Identifying and implementing solutions in collaboration with teams.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools (risk management, scheduling software).
• Good understanding of corporate systems (SAP/P6).
• Good understanding of the concepts and principles associated with multiple disciplines: cost planning, scheduling, risk management, and change control to enable the leadership, coaching and mentoring of the ‘spoke’ team.
• Experience managing Capital Programme performance at the early stages of the lifecycle.
• Experience in supporting transformational business change and working with a PMO.
• Degree or equivalent in Business Management, Commercial or Finance, Engineering or Project Management-related subject.
• APM qualification or equivalent.
• Experience of P3M.
• Experience in IT solutions required to manage, control and report on project, programme and portfolio scope, schedule, resource requirements, budgets, risks, opportunities and issues, benefits, and quality.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary offering up to £110,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Car Allowance (£5,800)
• Annual Bonus (OTE 16.25%)
• Private Medical Health Care.
• 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.

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 fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits. Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is a great, diverse and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. We aim to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, 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.