Head of Capital Delivery in Havant

We’re making a difference: Together, we can ensure that there is enough water for everyone, now and in the future. Portsmouth Water is seeking a strategic and forward‑thinking Head of Capital Delivery to guide the successful planning and execution of our core capital programmes. This pivotal role is responsible for enabling excellence across project governance, investment planning, contractor management and end‑to‑end delivery, ensuring performance, value and operational impact at every stage. You’ll lead a multidisciplinary team of internal experts, contractors and consultants, fostering innovation, efficiency and continuous improvement. With a strong focus on optimising value from investment, you’ll embed commercial insight early in the asset lifecycle, coordinate risk and compliance and respond to the complexities of delivering large‑scale programmes in a dynamic economic environment.

What will you be doing?

• Guide the strategic and tactical direction of the Capital Delivery team.
• Drive a collaborative culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team and with our delivery partners, demonstrating efficiency, best practice and innovation.
• Full accountability for delivering core capital programmes, such as the replacement of water production assets and infrastructure programmes, for example smart meters and mains growth to the quality and standards required.
• Constructively challenge proposals to ensure capital programme delivery solutions maximise value whilst achieving business outcomes.
• Guide the transformational change required to support ownership of capital programme delivery solutions.
• Guide and inform all strategic financial forecasting and operational budget setting processes.
• Ensure robust performance and quality management systems and procedures are in place for all capital programme delivery related solutions.
• Ensure robust and timely technical scrutiny at each capital programme delivery gate review with a clear focus on enhancing value through early engineering and or technical input prior to project initiation.
• Ensure that all third‑party contracted works are coordinated and managed to meet quality and value for money requirements.
• Ensure Company and delivery partner activity aligns to the relevant quality standards, satisfying the relevant legislative and regulatory requirements, as well as ensuring everyone goes home better.

Skills, Qualifications & Competencies

• Experience of supporting the delivery of substantial and complex capital programmes within infrastructure, utilities, power or transportation sectors.
• Strong understanding of capital delivery processes and infrastructure planning, with a structured, process‑driven approach.
• Experience of developing and implementing capital delivery programme governance and gateway processes.
• Commercial awareness in supporting future business investment needs and bottom‑up budgeting approaches.
• Supporting and guiding teams to meet programme/project management objectives and targets with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Experience of presenting complex and technical information clearly to all levels of an organisation to build stakeholder buy‑in.
• Experience of proactively managing and mitigating risk within programmes and portfolios.
• Strategic and thoughtful problem‑solving abilities to respond to complex challenges effectively.
• Working knowledge of programme and project management methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2 and/or APM), with experience across portfolios.
• Proven experience of financial forecasting, budget formulation, cost control and reporting.
• Good experience in health & safety, particularly CDM regulations, ensuring compliance and safe delivery.
• Familiarity with NEC contracts and ability to support contractual requirements effectively.
• Strong knowledge of asset management systems within the engineering sectors and understanding of developments in digital engineering technology and technical assurance.
• An engineering or other relevant degree and chartered membership of a relevant professional institution such as the APM.
• Strong understanding of APM standards and principles.

What can Portsmouth Water offer you?

• Holidays made better – 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• A pension that works for you – generous pension scheme, contributing up to 15%.
• Performance pays off – non‑contractual bonus up to 15% of basic salary, linked to company performance.
• Family comes first – enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave and pay.
• Social events – all expenses covered summer and winter social events.
• Peace of mind, always – life assurance scheme, 4x salary lump sum benefit in case of the unexpected.
• Comprehensive wellbeing support – confidential mental health and wellbeing advice 24/7 through Employee Assistance Programme, and physical health support via Virtual GP service (8am‑10pm, 7 days a week).
• Additional support when you need it – private medical insurance provided by Bupa.
• PW perks – treat yourself! – exclusive discounts at thousands of retailers and additional benefits such as electric vehicle scheme after 1 year, cycle to work scheme, health cash plan.

We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and actively encourage applications from all sections of society. All employees must be eligible to live and work in the United Kingdom.