Head of Capital Programme Assurance 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 an exceptional Head of Capital Programme Assurance to shape, optimise and safeguard our capital investment programme. You’ll support the governance, controls and commercial assurance that help our major programmes deliver value, backed by evidence, clear performance measures and thoughtful programme cycles.

This is a pivotal leadership role for someone who brings deep expertise across asset management, capital programme delivery, supply chain management and construction/engineering contracts. You’ll provide strategic and commercial insight to investment cases, guide tactical programme planning, and operate confidently in a complex, fast-moving environment where high-quality decision making matters.

What will you be doing?

• Guide the end-to-end assurance framework for capital delivery, ensuring governance, value, and balanced decision-making.
• Support the development of high-quality, evidence-based investment cases with strong strategic, financial and commercial judgement.
• Provide strategic oversight of tactical plans to optimise outcomes, benefits realisation and risk reduction.
• Nurture, motivate and manage a collaborative, multidisciplinary team through change and continuous improvement.
• Ensure programmes operate within reliable control procedures and deliver against an efficient performance management cycle.
• Embed a strong risk management culture across project, programme and asset portfolio activities.
• Provide assurance across all programme data, driving accuracy, insight and improved asset-based decision making.
• Encourage efficiencies in capital delivery, ensuring effective decision-making, action tracking and value optimisation.
• Represent Portsmouth Water with key partners and stakeholders, building strong relationships across the programme ecosystem.
• Foster a strong safety culture and ensure all programmes meet legislative, regulatory and quality standards.

What do you need?

• Proven experience in the delivery of capital assurance programmes in a client (water industry or utility or other infrastructure/asset business) organisation.
• Proven experience of working in capital programme leadership roles or managing a multidiscipline, highly technical programme/project management office in a complex operating environment.
• Expert in project/programme management tools and techniques for all phases of the programme/project lifecycle, and able to collect, analyse and present data sets to support goals and initiatives.
• Ability to articulate complex management information to a range of stakeholders from executive level to programme delivery teams.
• Proven experience of risks, benefits and value management whilst ensuring timely decisions are made, committed to and delivered.
• Expert understanding of the principles of whole life asset management and the relevant systems as outlined in the IAM standards and principles to drive commercial, value-based outcomes and portfolio optimisation.
• Ability to apply a commercial approach and understanding aligned to meeting business plans.
• Proven experience of budget formulation, cost control, and financial reporting.
• An engineering or other relevant degree and chartered membership of a relevant professional institution such as the APM.
• Project/programme management qualification or equivalent.

If you are successful for the role, you will be required to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks that will include a basic disclosure check. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the national security vetting process for either a CTC or SC clearance check. Any offer of employment is conditional upon completion and receipt of satisfactory checks.

We recognise people want to work in a variety of different ways, and that’s why we’re happy to consider flexible working arrangements. Please feel free to talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may be looking for.

Please note, we may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications - so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from all sections of society.

Please be aware, the Company has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. Due to the high volume of applications we may receive, we’re unable to respond to every applicant individually. If your application is of interest, we’ll usually be in touch within 4 weeks of receiving it.

What can Portsmouth Water offer you?

• Enjoy 27 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, giving you plenty of time to relax, recharge, and explore.
• We’ll help secure your future with a generous pension scheme, contributing up to 15% - because your tomorrow matters as much as your today.
• You could earn a non-contractual bonus of up to 15% of your basic salary, linked to company performance – because when we succeed together, you should benefit too.
• Whether you’re welcoming a new arrival through birth or adoption, we’ve got your back with enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave and pay.
• All expenses covered summer and winter social events.
• Our life assurance scheme gives your loved ones extra security, with a 4x salary lump sum benefit in case the unexpected happens.
• Whether you need confidential mental health and wellbeing advice 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme, or physical health support via our Virtual GP service (available 8am-10pm, 7 days a week for you and your immediate family), help is always close at hand with the HealthHero app.
• We know life has its ups and downs. That’s why we offer Private Medical Insurance - provided by Bupa giving you access to expert healthcare and 24/7 confidential support.
• Enjoy exclusive discounts at thousands of retailers, plus exciting benefits like Electric Vehicle Scheme (after 1 year), Cycle to Work Scheme, Health Cash Plan…and so much more!