Programme Technical Manager - Reading, Berkshire in Whitley

Contract: Permanent

Salary: Salary for this role is between 80,000 to 89,000 per annum depending on skills and experience of the successful candidate.

We are seeking a senior technical leader with the strategic vision, credibility, and authority to shape one of the most significant water or wastewater treatment infrastructure programmes in the UK valued between 500m and 1 billion. This is a pivotal role at the heart of our capital delivery transformation. You will lead technical strategy, build high-performing teams, and ensure that large-scale, multi-year infrastructure programmes are delivered safely, sustainably and efficiently. Your leadership will directly influence how we modernise critical national assets and deliver long-term resilience for the communities we serve.

If you are driven by complex programme delivery, value-led decision-making, and leading organisations through change, this role offers the scope, scale, and impact you're looking for.

What you'll be doing as a Programme Technical Manager:

• Lead, mentor and inspire a multidisciplinary technical team, from Apprentices through to Principal Engineers, promoting a positive culture centred on safety, development, and wellbeing.
• Oversee the delivery of major water or wastewater treatment solutions from the beginning of the project to the point of handover to the Operations team, ensuring projects meet time, cost and quality expectations.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams, contractors and consultants to proactively manage risk and drive successful programme outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders, partners and regulators, influencing decisions and tackling challenges with confidence.
• Champion continuous improvement, challenging existing ways of working, sharing best practices, and fostering innovation across the programme.

Based at an office within the Thames Water catchment area. Hybrid working: 23 days per week in the office and on-site, 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday. 5,800 per annum car allowance (full driving licence and personal transport required).

What you should bring to the role:

• Chartered Engineer (or equivalent) with membership of a relevant professional body.
• Strong commercial and contractual awareness.
• Excellent communication, leadership and coaching skills.
• Experience developing business cases and strategic Project Briefs.
• Understanding of the regulatory environment and its influence on programme delivery.
• Proven ability to develop and embed processes relating to technical quality, documentation and continuous improvement.
• Deep understanding of contractual considerations, risk/value management and their impact throughout the project lifecycle.
• Significant leadership experience within technical, project or construction environments. (Water sector experience is advantageous)
• Experience in resource planning, productivity improvement, and driving teams to deliver to time, cost and quality.

What's in it for you?

• Salary for this role is between 80,000 and 89,000 per annum, depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.
• This role will come with a car allowance of 5,800 per annum.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays).
• Annual Bonus opportunity.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• 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.

Working at 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.

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.