Customer Demand Specialist in Reading

Join us at Thames Water and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of water for millions. As a Customer Demand Specialist, you’ll dig into one of the most fascinating challenges of our time, understanding how water is used and how we can protect this essential resource for generations to come. Thames Water is rolling out the UK’s largest smart water meter programme. Analysis of smart meter data is needed to improve water efficiency and customer engagement actions to achieve demand reduction targets and protect our local environment. If you love turning data into real-world impact, this is your moment.

What you’ll be doing as a Customer Demand Specialist:

• Dive into millions of data points from smart meters and customer behaviour to uncover insights that drive real operational change.
• Turn complex datasets into compelling visual stories using tools like PowerBI — helping colleagues make smarter, faster decisions.
• Develop sector-leading analysis and data visualisation of domestic and commercial water usage, steering water efficiency programme improvement and advice to policy and regulatory change.
• Build predictive models that shape our water strategy, supporting teams across operations, regulation, and long‑term planning.
• Generate insight into drought events, business sector consumption and quantify the benefits of smart metering and water efficiency interventions.
• Strengthen and streamline data pipelines to ensure rock‑solid accuracy and reliability.
• Collaborate with experts across the business, from leakage teams to digital engineers, to help solve some of our biggest challenges.
• Grow the capability of the team by sharing your data science mindset, coaching others, and championing innovation.

Working pattern or hours: Monday–Friday, 36 hours per week. 2 days per week in the office. Flexible working may be accommodated.

The essential criteria you’ll need are:

• A passion for turning complex data into meaningful, actionable insight.
• Experience working with large datasets and delivering accurate analytical outputs.
• Confidence in investigating problems and communicating clear, engaging findings.
• A collaborative mindset - you enjoy improving processes, systems, and ways of working.
• A curious, self-driven approach to learning and problem solving.
• Experience with SQL, Python, Power Query, Power BI, and modern data transformation techniques.
• Understanding of statistical modelling, forecasting, and data science methods.
• Familiarity with Agile ways of working and tools like GitHub.

Additional skills and experiences that would be great to bring:

• Experience with leakage, water usage, or water balance analytics.
• Background in regulatory reporting or audit.
• Knowledge of water networks or asset planning.
• Exposure to Active Leakage Control or PALM principles.
• Experience with software/product development using Agile or Scrum.
• Understanding of regulated utilities.

What’s in it for you? This is more than a data role, it’s your chance to shape the water future of millions. You’ll be joining a team full of smart, driven people who care deeply about making a difference. Expect opportunities to innovate, influence decisions across the business, and grow your expertise in a critical and fast‑evolving field.

Competitive salary from £45,000 to £55,000 per annum depending on 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. 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.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.