Role: Programme Director

Location: UK

Salary: DOE + Benefits

Type: Perm

Overview of the role

Forsyth Barnes are recruiting for a Programme Director for a client of ours within the Water industry.

This is a pivotal role overseeing major programmes, ensuring regulatory alignment, and embedding customer value-driven delivery. The role requires a proven leader who can rescue and reposition underperforming programmes, drive measurable business outcomes, and modernize operations with digital-first solutions.

We are seeking someone who has a delivery focus with experience within water ideally. You will have experience managing large scale programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Transformation

• Define and execute enterprise-wide delivery and transformation strategy, aligning to regulatory priorities and long-term business outcomes.
• Rescue and reposition failing or underperforming programmes, restoring confidence and driving delivery discipline.
• Champion Agile and customer value-driven operating models across operations, digital, and service functions.
• Partner with Board and regulators to shape investment proposals, business cases, and forward-looking digital roadmaps.

Digital Delivery & Innovation

• Lead large-scale implementation of CRM, asset management, and field force automation systems, Products (e.g. Salesforce, SAP, AI-driven platforms).
• Introduce predictive analytics, automation, and AI-enabled solutions to enhance safety, resilience, and operational efficiency.
• Establish data-led portfolio prioritisation frameworks to maximise ROI and customer outcomes.
• Drive integration of IT and operational systems to create seamless digital-first delivery models.

Operational Delivery & Service Excellence

• Oversee service management functions (incident, problem, disaster recovery), ensuring resilience and compliance.
• Reduce incident volumes and improve recovery times through proactive digital solutions.
• Deliver programmes that enhance customer satisfaction, service reliability, and regulatory outcomes.
• Lead cross-functional teams across Product, Programme, and Service functions (200+ staff scope).

Stakeholder & Board Engagement

• Act as trusted advisor to the C-suite and Board, presenting delivery performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Engage with regulators and external stakeholders to influence policy, secure funding, and deliver demonstrable value.
• Foster strong supplier and partner relationships to deliver cost savings and performance improvements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven track record in board-level transformation leadership in energy, utilities, or other regulated sectors.
• Demonstrable success in rescuing failing programmes and restoring delivery confidence.
• Experience managing large scale transformation portfolios, including IT, infrastructure, and digital platforms.
• Strong regulatory and board-level engagement (e.g., Ofwat, Ofgem, or equivalent).
• A Strong digital product Understanding
• Expertise in Agile, Product Management, and large-scale digital adoption.
• Familiarity with Salesforce, SAP, AI-driven asset management, and enterprise delivery systems.

Key Competencies

• Change Leader: Track record of embedding Agile ways of working and repositioning teams for success.
• Customer Value Driven: Focus on measurable outcomes, satisfaction, and service reliability.
• Data & Insight Oriented: Ability to introduce data-led prioritisation and investment optimisation.
• Resilient & Pragmatic: Skilled in stabilising delivery landscapes and achieving rapid business impact.
• Executive Partner: Confidence in engaging at Board and regulator level, with strong influencing skills.

Annabel.hotchkiss@forsythbarnes.com