Major Water Infrastructure Senior Programme PMO Manager

Job summary

We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales.

We have an opportunity for a Major Water Infrastructure Senior Programme PMO Manager to join our Major Projects Team within Delivery Directorate.

The water sector is entering a new chapter. The government has set out a bold new direction, bringing together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. We are collaborating with fellow regulators to respond to recommendations in The Independent Water Commission Report, the Welsh Government’s response to the Green Paper, Shaping the Future of Water Governance in Wales, and the Government’s White Paper, A new vision for water.

Ofwat is working with the government and other regulators to help create a new body for England, bringing together our strengths with those of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency and Natural England. We are also continuing to work with the Welsh Government to support decisions on the future arrangements for Wales.

While these changes take shape, our mission remains the same: to hold water companies to account, drive performance, and ensure the sector delivers real value for customers, communities, and the environment. If you’re passionate about making a difference, this is a unique moment to join us and help shape the future of water, and together we can continue to make a positive impact.

You can find out more about why you should join Ofwat, our strategy, values and our framework for success in the attached Information for Candidates Pack.

Job description

We have an excellent opportunity for a Senior PMO Manager to support our growing Major Projects Team at Principal level. This role is key in the delivery of the Major Water Infrastructure Programme Management Office (MWIP PMO) team that supports both the Major Project team and RAPID team in the regulatory oversight of the overall Major Water Infrastructure programme. You will play a key role in not only delivering Ofwat's strategy, but also to lead the development of key functions within the Major Water Infrastructure Programme Management Office. You will be working with the team to ensure the effective, efficient and smooth functioning of MWIP and the Major Projects team. This role sits within the Major Projects team and will also work closely with the central Ofwat PMO.

This is a unique opportunity to play a role in the delivery of some of the most important capital projects in the water sector. You will have a real input into the oversight of the programme and developing reporting for all levels. These projects are vital to meeting the needs of current and future customers—and your work will directly impact how companies deliver for them. Join us to help secure water supplies for future generations and build a lasting legacy for communities and the environment.

The PMO function spans several disciplines including governance and assurance, planning and controls, framework and contract management, risk and performance. You will be involved with the embedding of the PMO as we grow and you will need to be proactive and champion change. It is a busy environment, so you will help to bring discipline and structure, whilst being problem-solve oriented, proactive and flexible to the needs of the organisation and the programme.

In addition to working closely with the Major Projects and RAPID teams you will develop strong working relationships with our parter regulators (Environment Agency and Drinking Water Inspectorate) and Defra. You will be expected to uphold high standards of delivery and collaborate with water and wastewater companies to support them to deliver the best value for customers. You will have a high degree of autonomy and responsibility, and with our support you will continue to hone your judgement and be expected to exercise it responsibly in line with our strategy and ways of working.

Ofwat is a learning organisation, and you will have ample opportunities to further develop your knowledge and experience, as well as consolidate your skillset. We have a well-supported, agile working environment, and a trust-based culture intended to help empower you and enable and support you to succeed within Ofwat. In turn, you will be expected to provide support to colleagues across the organisation, proactively sharing skills and knowledge, and equally will be supported by coaching and mentoring.

Key deliverables:

In this role you will be expected to:

• Own and lead assigned PMO disciplines, including governance and assurance (including contract management), planning and controls and/or risk and performance.
• Design and maintain proportionate governance and control arrangements across Major Water Infrastructure Programme (MWIP) and Major Projects relevant to the assigned discipline.
• Provide strategic oversight and assurance of delivery against the Major Projects and MWIP plans and objectives, escalating emerging risks and recommending interventions where required.
• Provide independent challenges to programme and project teams where risks or delivery concerns emerge.
• Own and continuously improve the PMO standards, methodologies, controls and assurance frameworks for the assigned discipline, including leading cross-regulatory/programme reviews and lessons learned activity.
• Build trusted relationships across Major Projects, RAPID, corporate functions, partner regulators, government departments, advisers and delivery organisations.
• Influence senior leaders and delivery teams, facilitating complex discussions to balance competing priorities, resolve differences in viewpoints and drive consistent practice.
• Provide leadership, coaching and professional development to Senior Associates and Associates working within the discipline.
• Act as the senior subject matter expert for the assigned PMO discipline and champion an inclusive, collaborative and continuously improving PMO culture within the team and wider organisation.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need the below essential attributes, experience, skills and knowledge:

Experience, skills and knowledge

1. Lead Criterion 1: Significant demonstrable experience of leading PMO programme controls, governance, risk or assurance within complex programme and project delivery environments, possibly within large infrastructure projects and/or large capital programmes, water sector supply chain organisation, consultancy, regulators, Government, or in another similarly relevant position.
2. Lead Criterion 2: Experience of developing and improving organisational PMO capability, standards, methodologies, governance or assurance arrangements within a complex delivery environment.
3. A relevant professional qualification such as PRINCE2, MSP or P3O, or membership of a relevant professional body (such as APM).
4. Strong understanding of programme planning, resource planning, risk, issues dependencies, change control and delivery assurance.
5. Experience of procurement, contractual, supplier and budget management.
6. Experience providing constructive challenge, managing escalation and influencing senior stakeholders across complex environments to build trusted relationships, balance competing priorities and deliver outcomes.
7. Experience leading and developing people, professional capability, and continuous improvement.
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distil complex evidence into clear, concise recommendations, executive papers and presentations.

Attributes

9. Builds Trust
10. Adaptable Thinker
11. Delivers Outcomes

Attributes as per Ofwat's Framework for Success for the relevant salary grade. You can read more about Attributes here.

Benefits

Why You Should Join Us:

Our people are at the heart of Ofwat, and our People Strategy defines the goals that keep this focus central to everything we do. Our 2025 People Survey highlights several key strengths. Nine in ten colleagues say that they are treated with respect and that Ofwat values individual differences. The same proportion say that their work is meaningful and that they are being trusted to carry out their roles effectively. 79% of our people rated their manager highly, and 85% described their team environment as positive.

You will also benefit from:

• Excellent employer pension contributions of nearly 29%.You can find further details about pension schemes under Terms and Conditions in the Candidate Pack.
• 25 days’ annual leave (increasing to 30 with each year of service) plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave
• Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership
• Flexible working arrangements that suit your lifestyle
• Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies
• Up to 3 volunteering days per year
• Recognition vouchers scheme
• Generous shared parental leave and pay
• Enhanced sick pay
• Regular development opportunities
• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Season ticket loan for home-to-office travel
• Free eye tests and contribution to lenses/spectacles for VDU users

Moving to Ofwat from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Find out more at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

How to apply

Apply through the Civil Service Jobs website where you’ll be asked to create an account and complete an application form (CV and personal statement). If you’re unable to make an electronic application, please contact recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk and we will support you in completing your application.

Please see the candidate guidance on our website for more detail and tips on how to best make your application and prepare for interview.

Please ensure you have submitted your application in full ahead of the deadline listed below. Unfortunately, we won't be able to consider late applications.

Selection timetable

• Closing date: 23.55 on 15 November 2026
• Sifting: Week commencing16 November 2026
• Interview date(s): Week commencing 30 November 2026

Assessment process

Sift Stage - Blind Sifting

We operate a blind sifting model to eliminate bias. All candidate identifying information will be removed from applications.

At sift stage we will assess your application (CV and personal statement) against essentialcriteria 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 listed above. Please ensure you provide enough evidence in your application form to demonstrate how you meet the criteria.

Use your personal statement to address the below criteria and tell us how your experience, skills and knowledge meet them:

1. Lead Criterion 1: Significant demonstrable experience of leading PMO programme controls, governance, risk or assurance within complex programme and project delivery environments, possibly within large infrastructure projects and/or large capital programmes, water sector supply chain organisation, consultancy, regulators, Government, or in another similarly relevant position.
2. Lead Criterion 2: Experience of developing and improving organisational PMO capability, standards, methodologies, governance or assurance arrangements within a complex delivery environment.
3. A relevant professional qualification such as PRINCE2, MSP or P3O, or membership of a relevant professional body (such as APM).
4. Strong understanding of programme planning, resource planning, risk, issues dependencies, change control and delivery assurance.
5. Experience of procurement, contractual, supplier and budget management.
   

*Please note that in the event of receiving a large number of applications, a pre-sift will take place on just the two lead criteria.

** If a high volume of candidates meet the minimum pass mark at sift stage, we will only progress the highest scoring candidates to interview. Candidates not invited to interview, who have achieved the minimum pass mark, will be placed 'on hold' until the final stage of the assessment process is completed. Should the role/s remain unfilled, candidates placed 'on hold' may be invited to interview in merit order.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Interview Stage - Transparent Interviews and Presentation

At interview stage we will test against essential skills, experience, knowledge and attributes set out above.

Our transparent interview process involves candidates receiving a selection of attribute-based questions in advance. This has been proven to help neurodiverse candidates and others to perform better at interview and is part of our inclusive culture.

You can read more about attributes and our Framework for success here.

Please note that the interviews will be conducted via video conferencing software (Microsoft Teams).

As part of the interview process, we will require a short presentation. Further details will be provided to candidates upon invitation to interview.

Please ensure anything you present in your interview answers is factually accurate, and you are not presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by AI, as your own. You may expect follow up questions.

It may be necessary for a second stage interview, which will be communicated to the successful candidates, if required.

If the assessment process identifies more appointable candidates than roles available, a reserve list will be created for 12 months from which further appointments in merit order can be made.

'Near-miss' candidates (candidates who have performed well at interview stage but haven’t scored high enough for the advertised Principal band) may be considered (in merit order) for a Senior Associate grade post – a band lower than Principal. Further details will be provided to candidates as needed.

If you have any queries about any aspect of this role, selection process, or you require any reasonable adjustments, please email recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk
• Email : recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk

Further information

Complaints procedure - The process of recruitment and assessment embraces the principles of fair and open competition and best practice. The first is to maintain the principle of selection for appointment to the Civil Service on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Recruitment Principles. The second is to promote an understanding of the https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-code/the-civil… which sets out the constitutional framework in which all civil servants work and the values they are expected to uphold, and to hear and determine appeals made under it. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from us, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk

Attachments

Candidate Pack MWIP Senior PMO Nov 26 Opens in new window (pdf, 706kB)