At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team ensuring safe drinking water for over 5 million people in North London.
- Company: Thames Water, the UK's largest water and wastewater company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, private healthcare, and excellent pension scheme.
- Other info: Join a diverse workplace with meaningful career opportunities and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and strong operational management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 100000 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Competitive salary up to 100,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
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.
Location: Lea Bridge Depot
Hours of work are Monday to Friday, 36 hours a week.
What we are looking for is for you to have:
- 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).
- Car Allowance.
- 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.
Find out more about our benefits and perks.
Who are we?
We're the UK's largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It's a big job, and we've got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.
Learn more about our purpose and values.
Working at Thames Water:
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you'll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
If you're looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people's lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we'll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.
Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family.
Why choose us?
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.
When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you'll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It's also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.
Disclaimer: 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.
Head of Water Networks - North London - Walthamstow, Greater London in East Ham employer: Thames Water
Thames Water is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead a dedicated team in providing essential water services to over 5 million residents in North London. With a strong commitment to employee development, a supportive work culture, and a comprehensive benefits package including competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and private healthcare, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact every day. Join us in building a sustainable future while enjoying a fulfilling career in a diverse and inclusive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Water Networks - North London - Walthamstow, Greater London in East Ham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, seminars, or even local meet-ups. The more people you know in the water sector, the better your chances of landing that Head of Water Networks role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share specific examples of how you've inspired and developed teams in the past. They want to see that you can lead a high-performing crew.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you hear about any challenges or changes in the water sector, don’t hesitate to bring them up in conversations. This shows you're not just looking for a job; you're genuinely interested in improving the industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Thames Water family and making a difference in North London.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Water Networks - North London - Walthamstow, Greater London in East Ham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your leadership experience and operational excellence. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of providing safe drinking water to millions!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've driven cultural change or improved performance in previous roles. We love seeing tangible results that demonstrate your impact!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead a team, so don’t be afraid to show us what makes you unique and passionate about this role.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our official website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water
✨Know Your Water Networks
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the water networks in North London. Familiarise yourself with the challenges and opportunities in the area, especially regarding operational performance and customer service. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've engaged, inspired, and developed teams in the past. Think about times when you led a team through change or improved operational performance. Highlighting these experiences will illustrate your capability as an inspiring leader, which is crucial for this position.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be ready to talk about your experience with methodologies like LEAN or Six Sigma. Share examples of how you've driven cultural change and continuous improvement in previous roles. This will resonate well with the interviewers, as they are looking for someone who can enhance their operational excellence.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with insightful questions about the company's future plans, challenges in the region, or their approach to health and safety. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your values and career goals.
