Head of Water Networks - Thames Valley and Counties

Job title Head of Water Networks
- Thames Valley and Home Counties  Division Asset Operations & Capital Delivery Location Hybrid
- Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB
Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Salary Salary up to £100,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience. Job grade C Closing date 29/10/2026

What could be more professionally fulfilling than leading the team that provides a continuous supply of safe drinking water to millions of customers? That’s the role that we are now seeking to fill.

We’re looking for a strategic and dynamic person to join us to lead the water network team in our Thames Valley and the Home Counties. As Head of Water Networks in the Thames Valley, you will be responsible for providing drinking water to over 3 million people from the Cotswolds to Surrey. It is truly an amazing opportunity to lead a highly motivated and high-performing team providing life’s essential service Thames Valley and the Home Counties.

Are you an inspiring leader with a passion for operational excellence and customer service? Thames Water is looking for a forward-thinking and experienced Head of Region to steer the performance and future resilience of our essential services.

• Developing, leading, and executing the business plan across your region, ensuring the efficient distribution of a continuous supply of safe, wholesome water to customers in the Thames Valley and the Home Counties.
• Continue the transformation in operational performance through your Field Operations team and external suppliers, helping us to reduce reactive incidents and improve leakage and customer service, ensuring all activities are delivered safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Lead the team providing exceptional service standards for our customers, undertaking and improving network performance, minimising disruption to customers and managing the repair of leaks whilst enabling our biggest ever capital investment programme – sustainably building for the future.
• You will also proactively identify and respond to current and emerging risks to our network or general security of water supplies to the region.
• Reporting to the Water Director, you will collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders, overseeing planning and recommending improvements on critical regional issues.

• Health and Safety: Champion a safety-first culture, ensure all activities comply with Health and Safety regulations, and lead continuous improvement in safety behaviours and incident management.
• Operations: Oversee operational performance and its contributed transformation, resource allocation, and supplier management to deliver high-quality services. Drive continuous improvement initiatives and support long-term asset management planning.
• People: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing regional team. Foster a culture of excellence, customer focus, and two-way communication.
• Finance: Manage regional budgets, ensuring value for money and commercial accountability. Challenge suppliers on cost and performance, keeping spend aligned with capacity plans.

• Outstanding leadership experience with a track record of engaging, inspiring, and developing teams.
• Strong ability to influence, negotiate, and collaborate at all levels across a geographically diverse region.
• Experience managing contractor relationships and leading teams through change.
• Evidence of driving cultural change and continuous improvement within a regulated environment.
• Commercial acumen and previous responsibility for managing budgets.
• Exp…