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- Tasks: Lead high-profile transformation programmes and drive operational excellence.
- Company: Thames Water, a key player in the utilities sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, healthcare, pension, and generous holiday.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on critical business outcomes and inspire teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in complex transformation projects and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Hybrid working with opportunities for travel and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are embarking on a major transformation journey, with high-quality asset data forming a cornerstone of our future success. The Principal Transformation Manager will be accountable for the successful delivery of Thames Water's most critical business programmes, ensuring operational resilience, improved performance, and enhanced decision-making capabilities. This role also involves providing strategic support to business unit Directors, driving the achievement of key business outcomes. If you are motivated by complex delivery challenges, senior-level influence, and making a meaningful impact, now is an exciting time to join our team.
What you’ll be doing as a Principal Transformation Manager:
- Oversee programme strategy, mobilisation, and delivery to ensure readiness for critical business milestones.
- Act as the single point of accountability for programme performance, reporting, and the realisation of benefits.
- Build and lead high-performing teams, motivating colleagues and fostering a culture of purpose and collaboration.
- Partner closely with Directors, programme sponsors, and senior stakeholders across core business functions.
- Manage programme interdependencies and align them with the broader transformation portfolio.
- Embed best-in-class methodologies, governance, and commercial thinking into all aspects of programme delivery.
- Influence and inspire teams to embrace new working practices, driving continuous improvement throughout the organisation.
Base location: Hybrid – Reading/Home
Working pattern: Full-time
Travel requirements: Ability to travel within Thames Water's catchment area as required.
What we’re looking for:
- Proven experience in delivering complex transformation or business-critical programmes, ideally within utilities, infrastructure, or regulated sectors.
- Ability to build, motivate, and lead high-performing teams across multiple disciplines and functions.
- Advanced stakeholder management skills, including the ability to engage and influence senior leaders and Directors.
- Strong commercial awareness and a pragmatic approach to challenging assumptions and achieving clarity in objectives.
- Passion for driving continuous improvement and embedding innovative practices that deliver measurable benefits.
- Expertise in organisational change management, including effective communication, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop effective solutions aligned to business needs.
- Flexibility and willingness to travel as needed to support programme delivery both on-site and remotely.
All applications will need to include a covering letter highlighting your experience in customer-focused operational change and provide examples that demonstrate your ability to deliver complex programmes, lead or support teams, influence senior stakeholders, and drive transformation in dynamic environments.
What’s in it for you?
- Competitive salary from £85,000 to £100,000 per annum
- Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service
Principal Transformation Manager in Reading employer: Thames Water
Contact Detail:
Thames Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Transformation Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its transformation goals. Understand their challenges and think about how your skills can help. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to make an impact right from the start.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Principal Transformation Manager. Highlight your successes in leading teams and delivering complex programmes – this is your time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our exciting transformation journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Transformation Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight your experience in customer-focused operational change and provide specific examples that showcase your ability to deliver complex programmes. We want to see how you’ve influenced senior stakeholders and driven transformation in dynamic environments.
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send the same CV for every application. Tailor it to reflect the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the Principal Transformation Manager role. Use keywords from the job description to show us you’re a perfect fit for our team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Principal Transformation Manager, leading high-performing teams is key. In your application, make sure to highlight your leadership style and any successful teams you've built or motivated. We love seeing how you foster collaboration and drive results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water
✨Know Your Transformation Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Thames Water's transformation journey. Understand their key programmes and how they align with the role of Principal Transformation Manager. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience can directly contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare specific examples that highlight your ability to build and lead high-performing teams. Think about times when you motivated colleagues or fostered collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you can inspire teams to embrace new working practices, which is crucial for this role.
✨Master Stakeholder Engagement
Since this role involves influencing senior leaders and Directors, practice articulating your stakeholder management strategies. Have examples ready that demonstrate your ability to engage and influence at a senior level, especially in complex environments. This will showcase your advanced communication skills.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be prepared to discuss your passion for driving continuous improvement. Share examples of innovative practices you've implemented in past roles that delivered measurable benefits. This aligns perfectly with Thames Water's focus on embedding best-in-class methodologies into their programmes.
