Provides water and wastewater services across East England, focusing on sustainability and innovation.
Lead commercial assurance, overseeing contracts, cost setting, intelligence, and compliance.
10 days ago ago
Expert & Leadership (13+ years)
Full Time
Peterborough, England, United Kingdom
Hybrid
Company Size
5,000 Employees
Service Specialisms
Water Connections
Mains Engineering
Sewer Connections
Legal & Telemetry
Water Regulations
Approved Plumber Scheme
Planning & Capacity
Self Lay
Sector Specialisms
Water supply
Water recycling
Waste water network
Water resources monitoring
Infrastructure
Utilities
Environmental services
Water treatment
Role
Description
cost intelligence
target costing
financial controls
compliance
risk management
assurance tools
Lead the development and delivery of assurance contracts across the Alliances and business units where capital expenditure and commercial activities are undertaken.
Lead and develop the Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship Programme, including recruitment, placements, progress monitoring and working closely with colleagues within the wider commercial function.
Ensure the team delivers expert advice, training, and upskilling across delivery and planning functions.
Lead an industry-leading Cost Intelligence function, setting the vision for cost data collection, estimating methodologies, and whole-life cost principles across all Totex investments.
Oversee risk registers, business resilience documentation, and SAP mitigation activities within commercial operations.
Represent Anglian Water externally at regulatory and industry forums, while driving continuous improvement and innovation in cost intelligence practices.
Manage commercial operations compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including sanctions, modern slavery, GDPR and anti-bribery measures.
Accountability for all Commercial Assurance activities within the Commercial function
Champion the implementation of an automated target cost system to support future AMP periods.
Establish and oversee a robust assurance strategy, combining self-assurance and client-led activities.
Accountability for the Quantity Surveying Apprentices programme within Commercial Services & Assurance
Accountability for the monthly financial controls and covenant activities, reporting, and governance reviews, addressing any non-compliance and ensuring that deadlines are met
Ensure high-quality cost inputs and seamless integration of cost intelligence systems across the business, supporting financial sustainability and compliance.
Maintain key external relationships (e.g., Dunn & Bradstreet) to ensure timely risk intelligence and reporting.
Manage the Client-Side Assurance and COCE frameworks, ensuring outputs deliver value for money and tangible improvements.
Management of the Target Cost Setting function
Provide robust cost insight and benchmarking to shape investment decisions, challenge assumptions, and demonstrate efficiency, influencing both internal strategy and wider industry thinking.
Ensure that fair and sustainable cost-setting processes, validation of scope, appropriate cost models, and governance compliance is always in place.
Oversee supply chain investigations and whistleblowing activities and lead the output associated with any internal audit activity within the team.
Ensure robust financial controls and compliance processes are in place across the Commercial function.
Drive continuous improvement through insights, reporting, and the introduction of digital/computerised assurance tools.
Management of the Cost Intelligence function
Accountability for the compliance activities associated with the financial controls and covenants activities
Requirements
commercial assurance
board reporting
professional qualification
alliancing
water sector
10+ years
Accountability for the Client-Side Assurance Framework and the COCE Framework.
Strong background in leading cross-functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders, including reporting at Board level.
Professionally qualified and experienced – for example within a relevant recognised commercial, quantity surveying, finance and/or project management institution
A proven track record in developing, implementing, and maintaining commercial assurance policies, standards, and frameworks
Accountability for the leadership of an impartial, consistent, and robust target cost setting function across Alliances and other business areas.
Proven experience in the water sector & wider construction industry
Demonstrable commercial/financial management experience within Alliancing environments
Experience working collaboratively with legal, procurement, finance, and operational teams to embed commercial best practices.
Demonstrated success in designing and enforcing commercial frameworks, policies, and procedures
Substantial experience, typically over 10 years, in commercial or financial management, commercial governance, contract or audit compliance, ideally within a complex and regulated environment.
Benefits
Life Cover at 8x your salary
Annual bonus scheme
30 days leave + Bank Holidays
Competitive pension scheme – Anglian Water double-matches your contributions up to 6%
Personal private health care
Flexible benefits to support your wellbeing and lifestyle
Car allowance
Training + Development
Information not given or found
Interview process
Information not given or found
Visa Sponsorship
Information not given or found
Security clearance
Information not given or found
Company
Overview
6 million
customers served
The company serves over 6 million customers across the East of England, delivering essential water and wastewater services.
1973
year established
The company was established in 1973 and has since grown to become a leader in the water sector.
The company is a leader in the UK water sector, investing heavily in infrastructure and sustainability projects to meet the region's growing demands.
Delivering high-quality drinking water, ensuring wastewater treatment, and maintaining the health of natural water resources.
Handles major infrastructure projects, including new pipelines, wastewater treatment plants, and water recycling technologies.
Known for embracing cutting-edge technology and innovation, pioneering smart water management systems to improve service efficiency.
Leads initiatives to enhance flood management, protecting communities from rising water levels and extreme weather events.
Works on both residential and commercial projects, making a significant impact on urban development and sustainable city planning in the East of England.
Beyond water services, plays a key role in environmental protection and the stewardship of local ecosystems, with a growing focus on resource recovery.
Recognized for leadership in water sustainability and innovation, making it a trusted partner for public and private sector projects.
Culture + Values
Build trust
Do the right thing
Are always exploring
Environment + Sustainability
65% reduction in capital carbon
Carbon Reduction Target
Aims to reduce carbon emissions from capital activities by 65% from the 2010 baseline by 2025.
$300 million investment
Environmental Protection Fund
Allocating £300 million to accelerate environmental protection initiatives.
1.8 billion in sustainable debt
Sustainable Finance Achievement
Raised £1.8 billion in sustainable debt by end-2021, supporting carbon reduction efforts.
50% energy from renewables
Renewable Energy Target
Aims to generate 50% of total energy from renewable sources by 2030.
Net zero carbon target by 2030
Reduce operational carbon by 30% from 2019/20 baseline by 2025
Generate 45% of energy from own renewables by 2025
Plant 50 hectares of woodland and use wetlands/marshes/grasslands for carbon removal
Delivering £800 million across 1,200 WINEP schemes for river quality, biodiversity and storm overflow improvements
Issued £1.8 billion in sustainable debt by end‑2021; all 2021/22 debt raised via sustainable finance saved 180,000 t CO₂
First water company to issue sustainability‑linked green bonds tied to carbon targets
Inclusion & Diversity
2030
Diversity Programme
The Strength in Diversity programme is scheduled to run through 2030, reflecting the company's long-term commitment to inclusion and diversity across the region.
Four focus areas: Education outreach, Early Careers (graduate/apprentice/internship), Community Group engagement, Job seeker support
Active Inclusion Community (staff network) providing forum and safe space
Engagement targets to better reflect regional demographics