OT Construction Lead

As an OT Construction Lead, you will play a key role within the OT and digital transformation function at Thames Water, leading the organisation’s approach to safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of Operational Technology (OT) construction and installation activities across a complex operational estate. Working closely with programme & project managers, engineering teams, contractors, and site operations, you will ensure that construction delivery is well-coordinated, standards-driven, and aligned to both regulatory and organisational requirements.

This role contributes to Thames Water’s operational resilience by ensuring that OT assets are installed, commissioned, and handed over safely and effectively, supporting the transformation of the organisation’s digital and operational infrastructure. You will collaborate across the business to enable consistent delivery practices, reduce risk exposure, and maintain strong governance, safety, and reporting standards.

What you’ll be doing as an OT Construction Lead

• Lead OT construction, installation, and site-based delivery activities, ensuring compliance with CDM 2015 regulations.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to plan and coordinate construction readiness, ensuring alignment with project objectives.

• Develop, maintain & review documentation including PCI, RAMS, Construction Phase Plans, and supporting records.
• Coordinate the flow of construction information, ensuring contractors work from accurate and up-to-date documentation.
• Validate construction readiness, including permits, site data, access arrangements, and enabling works.
• Oversee contractor activities, ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and delivery expectations.
• Monitor construction quality and ensure adherence to OT technical standards, resolving non-conformances.
• Support commissioning, testing, and handover of OT assets, ensuring all documentation and risks are addressed.
• Maintain risk registers, RAID logs, and delivery trackers to support governance and reporting.
• Develop dashboards and reports to provide visibility of construction progress and performance.
• Coordinate across programme & project managers, engineers, operations teams, and suppliers to resolve issues and dependencies.
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and organisational standards across all construction activities.
• Drive continuous improvement in OT construction processes, standards, and delivery models.
• Support safe integration of new OT assets into live operational environments.

Base location – Hybrid - Reading (STW) - RG2 0RP
Working pattern – 36 hours Monday to Friday.

What you should bring to the role

• Experience managing construction-related activities within a regulated or operational environment.
• Strong knowledge of CDM 2015 regulations and construction safety practices.
• Experience working with OT, SCADA, telemetry, or similar operational technologies.
• Ability to coordinate contractors, stakeholders, and site activities effectively.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience managing technical documentation and construction records.
• Excellent communication skills, able to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and planning capabilities in complex delivery environments.
• Proactive and detail-oriented mindset with a focus on safety, quality, and compliance.

Technical experience and skills

• Strong understanding of OT systems, including SCADA, telemetry, instrumentation, and automation.
• Experience supporting construction, installation, or commissioning in utilities or infrastructure environments.
• Ability to interpret and validate technical drawings, RAMS, CPP, and design documentation.
• Experience reviewing technical requirements, scopes, and supplier deliverables.
• Knowledge of construction assurance processes, including audits and compliance checks.
• Ability to develop reporting dashboards and track delivery performance metrics.
• Commercial awareness, including reviewing supplier quotations and supporting procurement processes.

Desirable qualifications and experience

• Experience working within utilities, critical infrastructure, or regulated industries.
  Experience coordinating multidisciplinary construction activities across multiple sites.
• Familiarity with legacy systems and complex operational environments.
• Experience supporting large-scale transformation or infrastructure programmes.

Desirable technical skills and qualifications

• Qualification in a relevant engineering or construction discipline (e.g., HNC/HND, NVQ, or apprenticeship).
• Knowledge of commissioning and handover processes for OT assets.
• Understanding of SharePoint or similar systems for document and information management.
• Familiarity with risk management tools such as RAID logs and construction tracking systems.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary between £44,000 and £57,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• 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.