Lead the Digital Management function, ensuring the design, effectiveness, and continuous improvement of Digital Management capabilities that enable successful delivery of Thames Water’s Digital Strategy and Digital Operating Model.

Drive the development and implementation of governance, risk, audit, licence management, performance management, digital processes, and operational control capabilities that ensure the Digital function operates efficiently, compliantly, and as an integrated enabler of strategic business outcomes.

Work closely with the CIO, Digital Leadership Team, Executive stakeholders, governance committees, and corporate functions to establish strong operational discipline, effective decision-making, and continuous improvement across Digital.

You must be able to build strong cross-functional relationships, influence senior stakeholders, and lead strategic transformation initiatives within a complex and highly regulated environment.

This is a 12-18 month fixed term contract

What you’ll be doing as Head of Digital Management

  • Lead the Digital Management function, ensuring core management capabilities, frameworks, standards, and controls are defined, implemented, and continuously improved.
  • Define and lead the strategy for Digital Management, maturing governance, risk, audit, licence management, performance management, and operational capabilities in line with Digital Strategy objectives.
  • Establish and maintain strong operational control by implementing effective frameworks, methodologies, and standards across Digital.
  • Develop and implement improvement plans for key Digital Management capabilities, including governance, risk management, audit management, licence compliance, and performance reporting.
  • Provide leadership and oversight of the Digital Management team, ensuring effective business-as-usual delivery and accountability for outcomes.
  • Deliver Digital Strategy workstreams within the role’s accountability in collaboration with the CIO and Digital Leadership Team.
  • Manage Digital risks in partnership with Digital Leadership, Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Audit, and external regulatory bodies as required.
  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with Executive leadership, governance committees, Digital teams, Finance, HR, Audit, Risk, and other corporate functions.
  • Ensure robust operational reporting is in place to support Digital Leadership Team, Executive Committee, Board, and governance requirements.
  • Drive simplification, standardisation, and automation of processes where appropriate to improve operational efficiency, quality, and consistency.
  • Build and embed continuous improvement capabilities and structured problem-solving approaches across the Digital function.
  • Support the implementation and ongoing maintenance of the Digital Operating Model, ensuring sustainable operational accountability.
  • Lead cross-functional collaboration to ensure Digital priorities are aligned with wider organisational objectives and governance requirements.
  • Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to ensure Digital delivers measurable business value and regulatory compliance.
  • Support enterprise-wide transformation initiatives by ensuring Digital Management capabilities enable successful change delivery.
  • Provide leadership, coaching, and development to the Digital Management team.
  • Stay current with emerging industry practices, governance approaches, operating models, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Base location

Hybrid – Clearwater Court, Reading.

Working pattern

36 hours Monday to Friday.

What you should bring to the role

  • Proven track record leading business functions within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
  • Experience working within regulated industries, large infrastructure organisations, or technology-led functions.
  • Strong experience driving continuous improvement, including process design, simplification, standardisation, and operational integration.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate strategic priorities into effective operational delivery.
  • Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on problem-solving and execution.
  • Experience making high-impact decisions in complex environments with incomplete information.
  • Strong leadership capability with experience developing, motivating, and managing high-performing teams.
  • Experience operating within matrix organisations and influencing stakeholders across multiple functions.
  • Ability to drive transformational change while maintaining alignment to governance frameworks and organisational objectives.
  • Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders, executives, and regulatory stakeholders.
  • Experience managing complex budgets, resources, and enterprise-level investment cases.
  • Strong analytical, organisational, and strategic thinking capabilities.
  • Commitment to operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Technical experience and skills

  • Strong understanding of governance, risk management, audit management, compliance, and operational performance management disciplines.
  • Experience developing and implementing operating models, governance frameworks, and management controls.
  • Experience designing and embedding operational processes, standards, and methodologies within complex organisations.
  • Strong understanding of organisational performance management and operational reporting requirements.
  • Experience managing enterprise risks and working with internal audit, risk management, and regulatory functions.
  • Ability to establish effective governance structures and decision-making frameworks.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate complex topics to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Experience supporting strategic transformation and organisational change initiatives.
  • Strong understanding of continuous improvement methodologies and structured problem-solving approaches.

Desirable qualifications and experience

  • Experience working within Digital, Technology, Data, or Information functions.
  • Experience within the UK water sector, utilities sector, or other highly regulated industries.
  • Experience engaging with Boards, Executive Committees, C-Suite leaders, and senior regulatory stakeholders.
  • Experience supporting large-scale transformation, operating model, or organisational change programmes.
  • Experience leading business operations, transformation, or management functions within enterprise environments.

Desirable technical skills and qualifications

  • Knowledge of the UK water industry regulatory environment and Ofwat regulatory framework.
  • Familiarity with Lean, Agile, or other structured continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Understanding of Digital operating models and technology-enabled business transformation.
  • Experience applying governance, risk, and compliance best practices within complex organisations.
  • Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience in Business Management, Technology, Operations, or a related discipline.

 

What’s in it for you?

  • Competitive salary up to £115,500 per annum depending on experience.
  • Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays).
  • Performance-related pay plan directly linked to both company and individual performance measures and targets.
  • Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
  • Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of yourself and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

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

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job, and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values.

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know. We’re here to help and support.

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 and meet colleagues.

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.