Head of Project Delivery

About the Trust

We’re one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We’re looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?

Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country’s third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

We’re excited to have created a new Head of Project Delivery role in our new Operations division. This is a critical leadership role responsible for delivering the Trust’s externally delivered capital, construction and maintenance programmes across England and Wales, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and provide long‑term value for our waterways and stakeholders.

For a deeper insight into the role, our strategic priorities and what success looks like in this position, please review the candidate briefing pack here .

This is a home‑based role which follows a 37 hour working week and will be assigned to one of the Trust’s key operational hubs. Regular travel across England and Wales as required to competently perform the role. A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will lead the delivery of a diverse portfolio of externally delivered capital, construction and maintenance programmes. Working across the full project lifecycle, from concept and design through to completion and handover, you will ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with the Trust’s strategic priorities.

You will lead project management, contractor performance, supply chain relationships and delivery governance, creating a high‑performing delivery function that balances cost, quality, risk and customer outcomes. With responsibility for major programmes, external infrastructure interfaces and delivery partners, you will play a key role in ensuring the Trust remains a credible, professional and commercially astute client organisation.

• Provide strategic leadership for the Trust’s project delivery function, ensuring the safe, efficient and consistent delivery of capital, construction and maintenance programmes across the network.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams responsible for project management, supply chain management, commercial oversight and programme delivery, creating a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and delivery excellence.
• Oversee the end‑to‑end delivery lifecycle, ensuring strong governance, effective risk management and clear accountability from concept design through to project completion and handover.
• Build and maintain high‑performing relationships with contractors, consultants and delivery partners, driving quality, innovation, efficiency and value across the supply chain.
• Lead the delivery of major programmes and complex external interfaces, ensuring risks are effectively managed and opportunities maximised for the Trust and its stakeholders.
• Drive commercial performance, project controls and continuous improvement, ensuring lessons learned and best practice are embedded across all delivery activity.
• Provide Gold Command cover as part of the Trust’s incident management framework, delivering strategic leadership during major incidents and ensuring effective organisational response and continuity.
• Display the Trust values and behaviours at all times, ensuring that diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life.

You will be an experienced delivery leader with a track record of delivering complex capital, construction or infrastructure programmes mercially astute and results‑focused, you’ll excel at leading teams, managing delivery partners and driving performance across large‑scale programmes.

A collaborative and influential leader, you’ll be known for…