Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the CFO and Senior Finance Team with strategic insights and project oversight.
- Company: Join Thames Water, a leading company in the finance sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, car allowance, and private medical care.
- Why this job: Gain invaluable experience and build relationships with top executives in finance.
- Qualifications: Background in finance, strong presentation skills, and excellent stakeholder management.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth within a dynamic finance team.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 68000 £ per year.
This is a new, high-profile opportunity where you will gain valuable experience at the centre of the finance team within Thames Water. The Executive Business Manager will be responsible for acting as a strategic partner to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Senior Finance Team (SFT), leveraging deep expertise and commercial awareness to ensure informed decision-making and effective execution of priorities.
The successful candidate will have advanced analytical capability, sound judgement, and the ability to synthesise complex information from multiple sources to shape recommendations and influence outcomes. The role demands proactive thinking, anticipation of emerging issues, and the ability to drive cohesion and strategic alignment across the CFO's remit.
It is intended that this role is a key development opportunity for a high-potential candidate to gain valuable experience, after which you will be ready to move into a critical role in the broader F&C and PMO team or the wider business. You will form excellent relationships with the Executive Assistant to the CFO, the Business Managers to the CEO and other Executives, the Finance & Commercial - SLT members and other key stakeholders across the wider Thames Water business.
What you will be doing as Executive Business Manager:
- Develop and deliver high-quality presentations for Executive and Board committees, synthesising complex information from subject matter experts before presenting to the CFO for final review.
- Lead or provide strategic oversight on special projects, ensuring delivery against objectives by monitoring progress, managing interdependencies, and coordinating across multiple teams.
- Maintain strict confidentiality and governance standards in managing sensitive documents and internal records.
- Facilitate collaboration and information flow across the Senior Finance Team (SFT) by managing agendas, driving alignment, and ensuring the timely exchange of critical insights.
- Maintain oversight of key activities across the Senior Finance Team, including transformation initiatives and business-as-usual (BAU) workstreams, tracking progress against milestones, identifying emerging risks and issues, and escalating them promptly to allow sufficient time for analysis and strategic decision-making by accountable stakeholders.
What should you bring to the role?
- A commercial, financial, or finance-related background (may be a qualified accountant or qualified by experience) and seek broader experience and exposure within Finance, working closely with Executive teams.
- Experienced in producing compelling and succinct PowerPoint presentations.
- Adept at drafting high-quality papers and presenting complex information in a professional and concise manner.
- Experience in producing accurate and insightful summary documents/briefing notes (without the use of AI) for Executive briefings.
- Demonstrate advanced stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- Excellent organisational skills; able to manage own workload and coordinate others effectively.
- Solid project management experience, including tracking project timescales, deliverables and milestones and seeking progress updates proactively to share with the CFO and/or SFT.
- Strong financial literacy with the ability to interpret financial analysis, forecasts and business cases, and synthesise key insights, risks and recommendations for Executive audiences.
- High discretion and sound judgement in handling confidential information, sensitive topics and Executive materials.
- Familiarity with project delivery tools to support timeline and milestone tracking would be advantageous, as would exposure to ERP systems (e.g. SAP).
What's in it for you?
- Competitive salary of £60,000 - £68,000 per annum.
- Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
- Car Allowance - £5,800.
- Annual Bonus.
- Private Medical Health Care.
- Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
- Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
Executive Business Manager in Reading employer: Thames Water
Contact Detail:
Thames Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Business Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to Thames Water. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you land that Executive Business Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising your presentation skills. Since this role involves delivering high-quality presentations, get comfortable synthesising complex information into clear, concise points. We want you to shine when it’s your turn to present!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your project management chops! Be ready to discuss how you've tracked project timelines and managed deliverables in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to oversee special projects effectively, which is key for the Executive Business Manager position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Business Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Executive Business Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in finance and project management, and don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills and ability to synthesise complex information.
Showcase Your Presentation Skills: Since this role involves creating high-quality presentations, include examples of your past work. If you’ve delivered compelling PowerPoint presentations or drafted insightful briefing notes, mention these experiences to demonstrate your capability.
Emphasise Stakeholder Management: This position requires excellent relationship-building skills. Share specific instances where you've successfully managed stakeholders or collaborated across teams, as this will show us you can thrive in a dynamic environment like Thames Water.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details directly and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Thames Water!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Executive Business Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong financial literacy. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how they influence decision-making. Prepare examples of how you've used financial analysis in past roles to drive outcomes.
✨Master the Art of Presentation
Since you'll be creating high-quality presentations for executives, practice your PowerPoint skills. Create a mock presentation on a relevant topic and rehearse it. Focus on synthesising complex information into clear, concise slides that tell a compelling story.
✨Build Relationships Before the Interview
Networking is crucial in this role. If possible, connect with current or former employees at Thames Water on LinkedIn. Understanding their experiences can provide valuable insights and help you tailor your responses during the interview.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Think of situations where you've had to manage multiple stakeholders or navigate complex projects. Be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes of your actions.
