At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a major water infrastructure project, ensuring safety, quality, and budget goals are met.
- Company: Join Thames Water, shaping the future of water resilience in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, performance pay, and wellness benefits.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a £1 billion project that enhances drought resilience.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education and proven leadership in major infrastructure projects.
The predicted salary is between 71000 - 85000 € per year.
Ready to lead one of the UK’s most significant water infrastructure projects? At Thames Water, we’re shaping the future of water resilience for generations to come. We’re looking for an experienced Project Development Manager to lead the development of the Lower Thames to West London Reservoir (LTWLR) – a nationally significant £1 billion Strategic Resource Option (SRO) designed to improve drought resilience while protecting the environment. This is a rare opportunity to take a senior client‑side leadership role on a project of national importance, influencing outcomes from early development through planning and procurement.
What you’ll be doing as a Project Development Manager is taking the client lead for the scheme, reporting to the Head of Scheme Development and working at the heart of our Strategic Water Resources team. You’ll be responsible for the day‑to‑day leadership of the project and its multi‑disciplinary delivery teams.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the overall development and delivery of the LTWLR SRO, ensuring safety, quality, cost and schedule requirements are met.
- Set and own project requirements, strategies, standards, design principles, milestones and budgets.
- Manage a large, multi‑disciplinary Technical Partner, acting as Service Manager under an NEC4 contract.
- Own and maintain the project baseline, including scope, cost estimates, schedules and risk assessments.
- Ensure robust governance, change control and escalation of decisions where required.
- Oversee the delivery of technical outputs to support planning, procurement and regulatory processes, including RAPID Gate submissions.
- Act as the primary interface between project sponsors, the SRO team, Technical Partners and Thames Water corporate functions.
- Represent the project with internal and external stakeholders, including active participation in community engagement.
- Drive a strong culture of safety, wellbeing and collaboration aligned to Thames Water values.
- Degree‑level education (or equivalent experience).
- Proven leadership experience on major infrastructure or capital projects.
- Experience in roles such as Project Manager, Project Sponsor, Design Manager or Development Manager.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across organisations with competing priorities.
- Sound commercial awareness and experience working with large consultancy or delivery partners.
- Excellent communication, collaboration and influencing skills.
- Strong project management capability, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Chartered status (or working towards) with a relevant professional body.
- Experience of projects progressing through DCO or similarly complex planning processes.
- Significant engineering or technical background.
- Knowledge across the full project lifecycle.
Hybrid Working
This role is offered on a hybrid working basis, split between our Reading and London offices, with a minimum of three days per week in the office (or as required by the project).
Benefits
Salary: £71,000 – £85,000 per annum, depending on experience.
26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with 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 benefits supporting health, wellbeing and finances, such as annual health MOTs, physiotherapy, counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
Project Development Manager in London employer: Thames Water
Thames Water is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead a nationally significant water infrastructure project that enhances drought resilience while prioritising environmental protection. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, collaboration, and professional growth, we provide a supportive work culture complemented by competitive benefits, including a generous pension scheme and performance-related pay. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility between our Reading and London offices, making it an ideal workplace for those seeking meaningful and impactful careers in the water sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Development Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and the specific project you’re applying for. Understand their values and how they align with your own. We want you to show them that you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Project Development Manager. We suggest rehearsing common interview questions and your answers so you can present yourself confidently and clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We believe this shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you stand out from the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Development Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Project Development Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience in major infrastructure projects and how it aligns with the responsibilities of leading the LTWLR SRO.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills:We want to see your strong stakeholder management skills in action! Share examples of how you've influenced decisions across organisations, especially in complex projects. This will show us you can handle the multi-disciplinary delivery teams.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and qualifications. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water
✨Know Your Project Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of the Lower Thames to West London Reservoir project. Understand its significance, the challenges it faces, and how it aligns with Thames Water's goals. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to speak confidently about how your experience can contribute to its success.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Project Development Manager, your leadership experience is crucial. Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully led multi-disciplinary teams or managed large-scale projects. Highlight your ability to influence stakeholders and navigate competing priorities, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Expertise
Be ready to discuss your approach to stakeholder management. Think of specific instances where you've effectively engaged with various parties, from technical partners to community members. This role requires strong communication skills, so emphasise how you've built relationships and facilitated collaboration in previous projects.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Given the technical nature of the role, brush up on relevant engineering principles and project management methodologies. Be prepared to answer questions about risk assessments, governance, and change control processes. Showing that you have a solid grasp of these concepts will reassure the interviewers of your capability to manage the project's complexities.
