Senior Sponsor; Programme Lead

Job title Senior Sponsor (Programme Lead)  Division Asset Operations & Capital Delivery Location Hybrid
- Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB
Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Salary Salary of between £61,150 - £76,440 dependant on experience Job grade C Closing date 30/09/2026

Are you an experienced leader in project, programme, portfolio, or capital delivery management within a complex infrastructure environment?

We are recruiting for a Senior Sponsor (Programme Lead) within our Waste business to drive the strategic alignment of investment planning and delivery, ensuring a clear link between our capital programmes, business plan commitments, and the outcomes we deliver for customers and the environment. This is a unique opportunity to influence key investment decisions, manage delivery risks, and help shape a more integrated and outcome-focused approach across the business.

The successful candidate will play a key role in creating a more joined-up approach to asset planning and capital delivery, building confidence that our investment programmes are targeted at the right risks and opportunities, and that they collectively deliver the performance, environmental, and customer outcomes set out in the business plan.

• Supporting the Principal Sponsor in the day-to-day management of an capital investment programme comprising many projects.
• Reviewing project performance across scope, cost, schedule, quality and risk.
• Providing analysis and recommendations to support key investment decisions.
• Producing governance papers, reports and business case documentation.
• Challenging assumptions and identifying opportunities to improve delivery outcomes.
• Working with Capital Delivery, Engineering, Operations, Finance and Commercial teams to drive programme success.
• Supporting risk, issue and change management activities across the portfolio.
• Monitoring benefits realisation and ensuring investment objectives remain achievable.
• Preparing clear and concise updates for senior stakeholders and governance forums.

• Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• The ability to analyse data and performance information to support decision-making.
• Experience producing reports, governance papers, investment papers or business cases.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of project risk and delivery performance.
• A degree in a built environment, engineering, project management or related discipline is preferred; however, equivalent industry experience will be considered.

• Attend our Reading office regularly, at least twice a week.
• Visit operational sites approximately once per month.

At Thames Water, you'll play a key role in delivering essential services to 16 million customers while helping to protect the environment and support the delivery of critical infrastructure for future generations.

In return, we offer:

• Competitive salary of between £61,150 – £76,440 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• Car allowance of £5,800.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution
  - Maximum of 12%
  -2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing.

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)