Senior Programme Manager – Customer Transformation
Lead a board-approved transformation at Affinity Water, shaping Customer Experience for 3.85M customers, driving lasting change and delivering enterprise-wide impact.
We usually respond within two weeks
At Affinity Water, we are embarking on Phase 2 of our Board-approved Customer Transformation Programme - a flagship, enterprise-wide change initiative that will redefine our Customer Experience operating model and replace our legacy billing and debt management platforms.
This is a career-defining opportunity to lead a transformation programme with full accountability for delivery to time, cost and quality.
The Role
As Programme Director, you will lead and orchestrate a complex, multi-year transformation spanning technology, operating model redesign, customer journeys, data migration and cultural change.
You will:
Own end-to-end delivery of the Customer Transformation Phase 2 programme
Lead a programme structure of up to 40+ colleagues (internal and external), evolving across delivery stages
Oversee replacement of core billing and debt management systems and integration with CRM, digital channels, and contact centre technologies
Design and embed a future-ready Customer Experience operating model
Manage phased migrations including build, data migration, UAT and cutover
Lead procurement and ongoing oversight of a Systems Integrator
Own a multi-million-pound budget with rigorous forecasting, benefits tracking and governance compliance
Engage regularly with Executive leadership and provide strategic oversight reporting to Board representatives
Translate complex technical and data concepts into clear, compelling narratives for senior stakeholders
This is a highly visible leadership role requiring strong commercial acumen, strategic oversight and hands-on delivery credibility.
What We’re Looking For:
We’re seeking an experienced transformation leader who brings:
10+ years’ senior programme leadership experience delivering large-scale technology and business change initiatives
Proven end-to-end delivery of enterprise billing and/or collections platform transformation
Experience leading cross-directorate change at scale, driving alignment across complex organisations
Strong Systems Integrator and multi-vendor management expertise, including commercial oversight
Deep knowledge of data migration, reconciliation and phased cutover strategies
Demonstrated benefits realisation, including measurable improvements such as cost-to-serve reduction, bad debt optimisation and customer experience uplift
Confidence operating in hybrid delivery environments, blending Agile-at-scale with robust governance controls
Executive-level stakeholder engagement capability, with the credibility to influence at Board level
Additionally:
Experience within utilities, financial services, telecoms or the public sector is highly desirable
Professional certifications such as PRINCE2, APM, SAFe, Lean/Six Sigma or PROSCI are advantageous — however, proven delivery experience and impact are valued more highly than formal qualifications
Personal Qualities
Credible, visible and inspiring leader
Strategic thinker who connects change initiatives across the organisation
Strong communicator able to simplify complexity
Commercially astute with strong financial oversight
Resilient, decisive and delivery-focused
Collaborative, inclusive and committed to customer outcomes
Benefits:
Salary dependant on skills and experience
Hours: Monday - Thursday 08.30am - 17.00pm and Friday 08.30am - 16.30pm
This role operates on a hybrid basis, with attendance in our Hatfield office required 2–5 days per week, aligned to programme demands and key delivery milestones.
Car cash allowance
Learning and development opportunities, including mentoring and a range of formal courses and open learning resources.
Entry into the company annual bonus scheme.
Annual leave from 26-30 rising with length of service, and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days.
A ‘Celebration Day’ in addition to public holidays that people can use to celebrate a religious festival or other occasion that is important to them.
A generous 'double match pension scheme' that doubles the contributions you make (company contribution capped at 12%)
We offer a range of family benefits including enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support Leave and up to 5 full or 10 half days of paid Carers Leave.
Menopause policy and Reasonable Adjustment policy to help everyone perform at their best.
Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental health.
Discounts at a Range of Retail Outlets and on Dental and Medical Insurance through our Tap4Perks scheme.
Up to 4 Affinity days a year to volunteer in the community.
Life Assurance.
Disability Confident
As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to offering interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria and opt in on the application form. Ask the Talent Acquisition lead for the full job description to see all the criteria. If we have a very high volume of applicants and we’re not able to offer interviews to all, we’ll take a fair and proportionate number of disabled candidates through.
Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.
You can find out what it’s like to work at Affinity Water through our career site https://www.affinitywatercareers.co.uk/ where our colleagues share their career development stories and you can get a feel for our company culture.
- Department
- People & Culture
- Locations
- Hatfield
- Remote status
- Hybrid
- Employment type
- Full-time