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 required.
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 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 environment 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how important it is to make those personal connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their projects. We recommend practising common interview questions and tailoring your responses to highlight your leadership experience and stakeholder management skills. Show them you’re the perfect fit for the Project Development Manager role!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We suggest reiterating your enthusiasm for the role and briefly mentioning how your skills align with their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting opportunities, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications this way!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Project Development Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and any major infrastructure projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about water resilience and how your background makes you the perfect fit for leading the LTWLR project. Let us feel your enthusiasm!
Showcase Stakeholder Management Skills:Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder interaction, make sure to highlight your experience in managing relationships and influencing decisions. We love seeing examples of how you've navigated competing priorities in the past.
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 knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how your experience can contribute to the project's 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 demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Expect questions about your approach to stakeholder management. Think of specific instances where you've effectively engaged with various stakeholders, including community members and corporate functions. Be ready to discuss how you foster collaboration and ensure everyone is aligned towards common goals.
✨Emphasise Safety and Wellbeing
Thames Water values a strong culture of safety and wellbeing. Be prepared to discuss how you've prioritised these aspects in your previous projects. Share your strategies for promoting a safe working environment and how you encourage team collaboration, as this aligns with their core values.
