Location
Reading, hybrid role based at Clearwater Court office with an expectation to work on site and in the office 2–4 days per week.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Up to £75,000 per annum depending on skills and experience, plus a car allowance of £5,800 per annum and performance-related pay linked to company targets.

About the Role
Ready to make a strategic impact? Join Thames Water’s new Capital Efficiency team and help shape how one of the UK’s largest capital programmes delivers value. As a Portfolio Capital Efficiency Lead, you will act as the strategic lead for either the Water or Waste portfolio, working closely with Sponsor Directors to translate portfolio priorities into focused efficiency activities. You will provide insight, challenge, and recommendations to senior leadership, review portfolio performance, identify risks and opportunities, and develop compelling narratives that explain progress and areas needing intervention. You will influence strategic direction, ensuring focus on areas that deliver the greatest value, and work collaboratively across Sponsorship, Delivery, Finance, and PMO functions to create a coherent portfolio-wide view of efficiency performance. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence investment priorities and drive efficiency across multi-billion-pound infrastructure programmes, while building strong networks across the organisation. A full driving licence and access to transport are required to support travel as part of the role.

Benefits
Competitive salary and car allowance, generous pension scheme through AON, private medical healthcare, performance-related pay, and a wide range of health, wellbeing, and financial benefits including annual health MOTs, physiotherapy, counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers, and life assurance.

Who We Are
Thames Water is the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, serving over 16 million customers. We are committed to building a better future for our customers, communities, people, and the planet. We offer meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and a diverse and inclusive workplace where you can make a real difference every day.

Experience
- Experience within capital planning, investment programmes, portfolio management or capital delivery in complex infrastructure or asset-intensive environments.
- Ability to interpret performance information and translate it into clear recommendations and actions.
- Experience supporting senior decision-making through insight, analysis, and strategic challenge.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, confident working across organisational boundaries.
- Experience driving improvement, embedding change, and helping teams focus on key priorities.
- Commercial awareness and passion for delivering value.
- Confidence to lead through influence at all levels of internal and external stakeholders.

About You
Strategic thinker with curiosity and a fresh perspective, able to connect complex programmes, people, and insight to help leaders make better decisions. Collaborative and confident communicator who can clearly explain complex risks, opportunities, and priorities. Motivated to work in a dynamic environment and contribute to meaningful improvements across major capital programmes.

Qualifications
- A qualification in project, programme, portfolio management, engineering, commercial management, finance, or continuous improvement is desirable.
- Experience or knowledge of portfolio governance, investment controls, and strategic planning processes is beneficial.
- Experience within water, waste, utilities, energy, transport, rail, or wider infrastructure sectors is advantageous but not essential.
- Transferable skills and diverse experiences are valued to bring new ideas and fresh thinking.