Head Of Programme Controls & Insights

As the Head of Programme Controls and Insights, you will be accountable for ensuring that the SRO Programme Controls and insight function delivers high-quality, accurate and timely information to the programme leadership. That information will include performance reporting and, more critically, forward looking projections (insights), to inform decision making.
You will provide leadership and direction to the Programme Partner (currently in procurement) and managing their performance. You will ensure the delivery of the Programme Partners activities, acting as the Service Manager (under the NEC4 PSC) for the Programme Partner call-off contract.
As the Head of Programme Controls & Insights you will be part of the Strategic Resource Options programme leadership team, collectively accountable for the delivery of approximately £6bn investment over multiple control periods. That investment is design to improve resilience to drought, in the face of climate change and population growth, whilst protecting the environment.
The investment includes the £2.2bn South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) and you will help establish the delivery capability for that project and may ultimately transfer to the delivery company or Infrastructure Provider.
As Head of Programme Controls and Insights you'll be responsible installing best in class control processes including, budget/cost control, payment controls, scope baseline control, resources management, cost estimation, scheduling, risk management, quality & performance assurance, reporting, configuration management/change control and the necessary information management systems.
You will also manage the Programme Partner performance under their contract and verify payments. You will be the Programme Partners point of contact for all notifications and communications between the parties, ensuring that the Programme Partner’s complies with its obligations under the Framework Agreement and Call-Off contracts.
What you should bring to the role
- Experience of leadership and management within a PMO/Programme Controls function of a programme or project of similar size and complexity, ideally during the development/pre-delivery phase or extensive experience as a consultant installing and operating best in class controls processes.
- Comprehensive knowledge of best practice in the discipline of Programme Controls.
- A vision for the application of best practice to the SRO programme.
- Demonstrable ability to influence stakeholders, often with competing objectives, whilst preserving and maintaining excellent, collaborative and cooperative relationships.
- A self-motivated, positive, delivery focused approach.
- Values aligned with those of Thames and the SRO programme.
- Membership of a relevant project management professional body.
What’s in it for you?
- Competitive salary up to £130,000 per annum, depending on previous experience.
- Generous Car Allowance.
- Annual Leave of 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
- Annual Bonus.
- Private Medical Health Care.
- Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
- Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
- Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing.
Who are we?
At Thames Water, our purpose is crystal clear - to deliver life’s essential service so our customers, communities and planet can thrive.
Water is life’s great leveller. Every living thing needs it, every single day. From people to plants, birds to bees, farms to factories, we all need it to thrive, and we’re committed to taking care of it for us all.
But keeping water flowing is becoming harder. From scorching summers to wetter winters, extreme weather affects everything from our pipes to our local rivers. We need to keep millions more kettles boiling, public services operating, washing machines spinning, showers running and more, so every drop is more precious than ever. Are you ready to play your part?
Working at Thames Water
At Thames Water we recognise that people are at the heart of our business. To help us succeed in providing life's essential service, we need a range of skills and capabilities, representative of society throughout our business.
We seek to attract and retain a cultural mix of people who can offer different but complementary attitudes, values, talents, and knowledge. We understand the importance of appreciating and harnessing the unique skills, experiences, background, and differences that each individual brings.
Our over-arching diversity and inclusion aim is to ensure Thames Water is a diverse and inclusive great place to work. We encourage applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process.
Find out more about working at Thames Water.
When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.
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.

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