Area Network Manager

We are currently seeking a Waste Area Network Manager to join Thames Water permanently.

This is a high-profile Operations role, responsible for leading a team of wastewater network operations and planning specialists to ensure the operational management of wastewater services to our customers, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced people manager who is passionate about health and safety, customer experience and environmental protection.

• Base Location: Crossness, SE29AQ.
• Working Pattern: Hybrid - 36 hours per week (Mon–Fri)
• Due to the nature of the role, a Full UK driving licence is essential.

What will you be doing as Area Network Manager

• Manage a team of experienced operations and planning specialists, who are responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the wastewater network services for one of the most diverse operational regions within Thames Water’s catchment area.
• Delivery of stretching area performance targets, each with a direct link to top-level company performance, such as pollution, sewer flooding and customer complaints. 
• Driving an industry-leading Health and Safety performance culture. Keeping the front-line workforce safe through the elimination of lagging indicators (incidents, near misses, etc) and championing health and safety behaviour and policies through site audits, inspections and safety observations.
• Working collaboratively with our principal contractors to ensure a positive working environment that prioritises customer experience. Drive high productivity and utilisation of field resources to successfully deliver our targets.
• Dynamic working environment. Responding to high-profile operational incidents that have the potential to significantly impact our customers or the natural environment.
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of waste network operations and a Category 2 responder. Providing both assistance and challenge to ensure the best outcome for our customers and the environment.

What should you bring to the role?

• We are seeking an individual with a strong background in front-line operational management.
• Contract management experience is desirable, particularly for Civil Engineering contractors.
• You will possess excellent people-management skills, able to encourage, coach and empower an experienced team to continuously improve the delivery of waste network services.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a budget to deliver and improve upon operational services.
• Experience in analysing complex problems with a solution-driven mindset that focuses on a positive outcome for customers and the environment.
• IOSH or NEBOSH qualification would be advantageous.

What’s in it for you?

• Offering a salary up to £56,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience, plus a car allowance on top.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Pension: Maximum of 12% = 2x employee contribution.
• Performance Related Pay Plan (PRPP): Max (of salary) = 10%. On Target (of salary) = 5%.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you 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

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 fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, 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's 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.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. We aim to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, 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.