At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise capital investment programmes to ensure water sustainability for everyone.
- Company: Join Portsmouth Water, a forward-thinking company making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days of leave, generous pension contributions, and performance bonuses.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of water management while leading a dynamic, multidisciplinary team.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in capital assurance and project management in complex environments.
The predicted salary is between 48600 - 59400 £ per year.
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.
- 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!
Head of Capital Programme Assurance in Langstone employer: Portsmouth Water
Join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to ensuring sustainable water services for all. As an OT/Controls Engineer, you will thrive in a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, offering opportunities for training and mentorship. With a commitment to flexibility and inclusivity, this role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact on community health and safety but also supports your professional journey in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Capital Programme Assurance in Langstone
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Portsmouth Water, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Head of Capital Programme Assurance at Portsmouth Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Capital Programme Assurance in Langstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth Water
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
