Principal Transformation Manager - Reading, Berkshire

Contract: Permanent

Salary: Offering between £85,000 to £100,000 per annum, plus car allowance, bonus, healthcare, pension and other great benefits.

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

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 (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.

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? Learn more.

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.