Head of Water Networks - North London

What could be more professionally fulfilling than leading the team that provides a continuous supply of safe drinking water to our capital city? That’s the role that we are now seeking to fill. We’re looking for a strategic and dynamic person to join us to lead the water network team in our London area north of the River Thames. As Head of Water Networks in North London, you will be responsible for providing drinking water to over 5 million people in North London, including the very heart of the iconic West End and the City, all the way to Enfield in the north and Hampton and Ealing in the West. It is truly an amazing opportunity to lead a highly motivated and high-performing team providing life’s essential service to north and central London.

Are you an inspiring leader with a passion for operational excellence and customer service? Thames Water is looking for a forward-thinking and experienced Head of Region to steer the performance and future resilience of our essential services.

What you will be responsible for:

• Developing, leading, and executing the business plan across your region, ensuring the efficient distribution of a continuous supply of safe, wholesome water to customers in North London.
• Continue the transformation in operational performance through your Field Operations team and external suppliers, helping us to reduce reactive incidents and improve leakage and customer service, ensuring all activities are delivered safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Lead the team providing exceptional service standards for our customers, undertaking and improving network performance, minimising disruption to customers and managing the repair of leaks whilst enabling our biggest ever capital investment programme – sustainably building for the future.
• Proactively identify and respond to current and emerging risks to our network.
• Reporting to the Water Director, collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders, overseeing planning and recommending improvements on critical regional issues.

Other high-profile areas of focus include:

• Health and Safety: Champion a safety-first culture, ensure all activities comply with Health and Safety regulations, and lead continuous improvement in safety behaviours and incident management.
• Operations: Oversee operational performance and its contributed transformation, resource allocation, and supplier management to deliver high-quality services. Drive continuous improvement initiatives and support long‑term asset management planning.
• People: Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing regional team. Foster a culture of excellence, customer focus, and two‑way communication.
• Finance: Manage regional budgets, ensuring value for money and commercial accountability. Challenge suppliers on cost and performance, keeping spend aligned with capacity plans.

To excel in this role, you’ll bring:

• Outstanding leadership experience with a track record of engaging, inspiring, and developing teams.
• Strong ability to influence, negotiate, and collaborate at all levels across a geographically diverse region.
• Experience managing contractor relationships and leading teams through change.
• Evidence of driving cultural change and continuous improvement within a regulated environment.
• Commercial acumen and previous responsibility for managing budgets.
• Exposure to LEAN, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies (desirable).
• NEBOSH qualification and knowledge of the Road and Streetworks Act (advantageous).

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £100,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• Access to 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 committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know. We’re here to help and support.