Executive Business Manager

Strategic Water Resources (SWR) plays a vital role in protecting and securing future water supplies for millions of customers. From delivering major infrastructure like the new White Horse Reservoir to shaping long‑term water resilience, this is a team at the centre of big, transformative change.

As our Executive Business Manager, you’ll work closely with the SWR Director and Leadership Team to drive improvement initiatives, support strategic decision‑making and boost collaboration across the business. You’ll take ownership of impactful projects, gain insight into how a senior leadership team operates, and build your knowledge in water resource management, major project development, investment and regulation.

This is a rare opportunity to broaden your network, deepen your business understanding and play a key role in helping a high‑performing, future‑focused directorate thrive.

What you’ll be doing as an Executive Business Manager

• Partner with the SWR Director and Leadership Team to identify and drive collaborative opportunities.
• Lead high‑profile activities and strategic initiatives that influence long‑term business direction.
• Represent SWR at sessions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Produce impactful reports, presentations, and papers for Board and Executive audiences.
• Support delivery of the departmental Improvement Plan.
• Maintain oversight of priorities, governance requirements, and critical deliverables.
• Create presentations and draft papers to deliver to the Board, Executive Team and external stakeholders and maintain a document library to ensure that we have up to date and engaging content
• Reporting is key, collating data and providing insight for Board and the Executive Team as well as proactively maintaining a document library to ensure that we have up to date and engaging content.

What you should bring to the role
The must haves are:

• Support the delivery of long‑term, high‑impact projects that shape the future of SWR
• Build strong relationships across the business, using your excellent communication and people skills
• Turn complex data into clear, compelling insight for senior stakeholders, including the Board and Executive Team
• Tackle challenges head‑on, evaluating problems and finding smart, practical solutions
• Own your workload, stay organised and keep priorities on track
• Create polished written content and confident presentations that land with impact
• Bring drive, resilience and a proactive mindset to deliver meaningful change
• Deliver great results with a positive attitude, accuracy and flexibility in a busy, fast‑moving team
• Confidently use Microsoft applications to support high‑quality outputs
• Handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion
• Thrive in a demanding, fast‑paced environment where strong interpersonal skills are essential
• Graduate or equivalent qualification.
• Commercial awareness.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £55,000 to £65,000 per annum depending on experience.
• 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Car Allowance
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Private Medical Health Care
• 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 (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.