Head of Capital Programme Assurance

Head of Capital Programme Assurance | Utilities & Infrastructure

Ceto Talent is delighted to be supporting a leading utilities organisation in the appointment of an experienced Head of Capital Programme Assurance.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced capital programme professional who can provide strategic, commercial and technical assurance across a major investment portfolio. You will play a key role in strengthening governance, programme controls, performance management and investment decision-making, ensuring capital programmes deliver maximum value and support long-term business objectives.

Working across a complex and fast-moving environment, you will lead a multidisciplinary team and work closely with senior stakeholders, delivery partners, consultants and supply chain organisations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the capital programme assurance framework, ensuring robust governance, controls, value and effective decision-making.
• Provide strategic and commercial input into investment cases, ensuring decisions are supported by high-quality evidence and analysis.
• Provide oversight of tactical programme planning, benefits realisation, risk reduction and portfolio optimisation.
• Lead, motivate and develop a collaborative multidisciplinary team, supporting continuous improvement and organisational change.
• Ensure effective programme controls, performance management and reporting processes are embedded across the capital portfolio.
• Drive a strong culture of risk, benefits and value management across projects, programmes and assets.
• Provide assurance over programme data, ensuring accuracy, consistency and meaningful management information.
• Identify opportunities to improve capital delivery efficiency, value optimisation and commercial outcomes.
• Support budget formulation, cost control, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, delivery partners, contractors and supply chain organisations.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure programmes comply with relevant legislative, regulatory and quality requirements.

About You

We are looking for an experienced capital programme assurance or delivery leader with a strong background within utilities, infrastructure, construction, engineering or another asset-intensive environment.

You will ideally have:

• Proven experience in capital programme assurance within a client-side utility, infrastructure or asset-intensive organisation.
• Experience leading capital programmes or managing a multidisciplinary programme/project management office within a complex operating environment.
• Strong knowledge of project and programme management methodologies across the full project lifecycle.
• The ability to analyse complex data and translate management information into clear recommendations and actionable insight.
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage with stakeholders from programme delivery teams through to executive level.
• Strong experience in risk, benefits, value and portfolio management.
• A strong understanding of whole-life asset management principles and their application to commercial and investment decisions.
• Commercial awareness with experience in budget management, cost control and financial reporting.
• Experience of programme governance, assurance frameworks and performance management.
• A degree in Engineering or another relevant discipline.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution is desirable.
• A recognised project or programme management qualification such as APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent is desirable.

What’s On Offer?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a forward-thinking utilities organisation and take a leading role in shaping the assurance and governance of a significant capital investment programme.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Influence major infrastructure investment and long-term asset strategies.
• Lead and develop a talented multidisciplinary team.
• Work closely with senior leadership and key delivery partners.
• Drive improvements in governance, commercial performance and programme delivery.
• Make a genuine impact on critical infrastructure and customer outcomes.
• Benefit from a comprehensive package including competitive pension contributions, bonus potential, enhanced family benefits, private medical insurance, life assurance and a range of employee benefits and discounts.
• Access flexible working arrangements where appropriate.

Security & Eligibility

Successful applicants will be required to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks, including a basic disclosure check. Depending on the requirements of the position, additional national security vetting may also be required.

Any offer of employment will be conditional upon satisfactory completion of the relevant checks.

Candidates must have the right to live and work in the UK.

Apply Now

If you are an experienced capital programme, infrastructure or asset management professional looking for your next senior leadership opportunity, we would be keen to hear from you.

Apply today or contact Ceto Talent for a confidential discussion about the role.

Please note that this vacancy may close early if a high volume of suitable applications is received.