Programme Manager in Reading

Programme Manager in Reading

Reading Full-Time 75000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Thames Water Utilities Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead digital transformation programmes that enhance efficiency and customer impact.
  • Company: Join the UK's largest water company with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, private healthcare, and a strong pension scheme.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in digital transformation while managing significant budgets.
  • Qualifications: Experience in digital programme management and financial oversight up to £10m.

The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 £ per year.

Lead major digital transformation programmes, delivering data-driven change that improves resilience, efficiency, and customer impact across the UK’s largest water company. This role offers end-to-end ownership of large-scale digital transformation, with exposure to senior stakeholders, budgets up to £10m, and responsibility for governance, delivery, and team leadership—combining strong commercial, delivery, and strategic influence.

What you’ll be doing as a Programme Manager:

  • Define and baseline the programme’s scope, plan and budget that will successfully deliver the business outcomes/objectives.
  • Identify, engage and manage direct and indirect stakeholders appropriately in the context of their role within the programme, up to and including Executive Director level.
  • Identify and manage RAID items within the programme and escalate where appropriate.
  • Attend project initiation workshops and creation of any associated material to instigate a new project.
  • Identify and forecast resource needs including internal and external partner resource requirements.
  • Support commercial and procurement activities for any third-party supplier including RFI/RFQ processes and contract negotiations.
  • Support supplier management performance processes, including monthly reporting of supplier time, cost and quality metrics.
  • Actively support non-programme delivery activities related to improvement of Digital processes and ways of working, including transition to Product Management ways of working, defining and implementing delivery process efficiencies and insourcing/developing Digital skills and capabilities within our delivery teams to meet future business and technology needs.

Working pattern – 36 hours Monday to Friday.

What you should bring to the role:

  • Extensive experience of Digital / IT programme management delivery role.
  • Experience of financial management up to £10m per annum.
  • Experience of Agile and/or Product Management delivery methodologies.
  • Line management experience of up to 10 direct reports.
  • Management of suppliers across the entire delivery life cycle.
  • Management of a large team.
  • Customer-centric delivery experience.
  • PRINCE 2 Practitioner or equivalent.

Extra qualities that would be a great fit for our team:

  • ITIL v3/v4 or equivalent.
  • Water industry experience.
  • Information Technology or similar qualification to Bachelor's degree or equivalent level.
  • Certification/experience of SaaS and/or cloud-based application management.
  • Experience of DevOps tools, processes and methodology.

What’s in it for you?

  • Competitive salary from £75,000 to £100,000 per annum depending on experience.
  • Annual Leave – 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 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.

Programme Manager in Reading employer: Thames Water Utilities Limited

As the UK's largest water company, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions digital transformation and innovation. Our collaborative work culture fosters professional growth, offering extensive training and development opportunities while ensuring a healthy work-life balance with generous leave and benefits. Join us to lead impactful projects that not only enhance operational efficiency but also contribute to the sustainability of our communities.

Thames Water Utilities Limited

Contact Details:

Thames Water Utilities Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Programme Manager in Reading

Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions

Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Programme Manager at Thames Water Utilities Limited!

Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks

Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Thames Water Utilities Limited or be willing to refer you for that Programme Manager position!

Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences

Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Thames Water Utilities Limited who’s on the lookout for their next Programme Manager star!

Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online

Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Programme Manager role at Thames Water Utilities Limited!

We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager in Reading

Digital Transformation
Programme Management
Stakeholder Management
Financial Management
Agile Methodologies
Product Management
Line Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Thames Water Utilities Limited. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!

Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.

Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water Utilities Limited

Master the Case Study Game

In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!

Know Your Numbers

Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!

Show Your Leadership Flair

As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Be a Cultural Fit

We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Thames Water Utilities Limited. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!