Head of Commercial Assurance

We're looking for an exceptional leader to join us as Head of Commercial Assurance within our Commercial Services & Assurance team. This pivotal role carries accountability for ensuring that all commercial arrangements, contractual frameworks, and governance processes across Anglian Water are delivered to the highest standards of commercial assurance. As Head of Commercial Assurance, you will have:

• Accountability for all Commercial Assurance activities within the Commercial function
• Management of the Target Cost Setting function
• Management of the Cost Intelligence function
• Accountability for the compliance activities associated with the financial controls and covenants activities
• Accountability for the Client-Side Assurance Framework and the COCE Framework.
• Accountability for the Quantity Surveying Apprentices programme within Commercial Services & Assurance

In this role, you'll lead the development and delivery of an industry-leading commercial assurance service—continuously enhancing our capability and introducing technology-based assurance tools that align seamlessly with our contractual and governance requirements. Your work will be central to the success of our capital delivery programme, ensuring that commercial arrangements, contractual frameworks and delivery processes are assured to the highest standards, enabling Anglian Water to meet its strategic goals while fostering innovation and continuous improvement.

As a trusted senior leader, you will deputise for the Commercial Director during monthly JCAD sign‑off and play an integral role within the Commercial Services & Assurance leadership team. You will support consistent commercial assurance across all Anglian Water Alliances, Central Services, PDP, SMD, DDaT and the Centralised Commercial function, while also working closely with wider business areas such as the Reservoir programme.

As major capital projects move from development into delivery throughout AMP8, they will also fall within your remit.

• Lead the development and delivery of assurance contracts across the Alliances and business units where capital expenditure and commercial activities are undertaken.
• Establish and oversee a robust assurance strategy, combining self‑assurance and client‑led activities.
• Manage the Client‑Side Assurance and COCE frameworks, ensuring outputs deliver value for money and tangible improvements.
• Oversee supply chain investigations and whistleblowing activities and lead the output associated with any internal audit activity within the team.
• Drive continuous improvement through insights, reporting, and the introduction of digital/computerised assurance tools.
• Lead and develop the Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship Programme, including recruitment, placements, progress monitoring and working closely with colleagues within the wider commercial function.

• Accountability for the leadership of an impartial, consistent, and robust target cost setting function across Alliances and other business areas.
• Ensure that fair and sustainable cost‑setting processes, validation of scope, appropriate cost models, and governance compliance is always in place.
• Ensure the team delivers expert advice, training, and upskilling across delivery and planning functions.
• Champion the implementation of an automated target cost system to support future AMP periods.

• Lead an industry‑leading Cost Intelligence function, setting the vision for cost data collection, estimating methodologies, and whole‑life cost principles across all Totex investments.
• Provide robust cost insight and benchmarking to shape investment decisions, challenge assumptions, and demonstrate efficiency, influencing both internal strategy and wider industry thinking.
• Ensure high‑quality cost inputs and seamless integration of cost intelligence systems across the business, supporting financial sustainability and compliance.
• Represent Anglian Water externally at regulatory and industry forums, while driving continuous improvement and innovation in cost intelligence practices.

• Ensure robust financial controls and compliance processes…