Head of Strategy, Commercial & Portfolio

About the role

Watercare is seeking a senior leader to shape its digital and technology future. Reporting to the Chief Digital Officer, the Head of Strategy, Commercial & Portfolio will turn organisational strategy into a clear, value‑driven roadmap and ensure disciplined investment decisions across the portfolio.

Key responsibilities

• Support the development and continuous refresh of Watercare’s Digital and Technology Strategy.
• Translate strategy into a multi‑year, sequenced roadmap with milestones, dependencies and benefits.
• Design and embed an enterprise portfolio governance framework in partnership with digital leaders.
• Provide visibility of portfolio inter‑dependencies, constraints, delivery confidence and strategic trade‑offs.
• Define and enforce delivery governance standards, including stage‑gates, escalation pathways and decision rights.
• Lead independent portfolio‑level assurance and maintain an audit trail of investment decisions.
• Establish commercial standards, contract governance and vendor performance frameworks.
• Deliver consolidated executive and Board‑level reporting on portfolio performance, financials, risks and benefits.
• Drive benefits realisation discipline, partnering with business owners to ensure value is achieved.
• Build and lead a high‑performing Strategy, Commercial & Portfolio function.

Required profile

• Senior experience in strategy, commercial and enterprise portfolio leadership.
• Proven ability to develop and execute digital or technology roadmaps.
• Strong background in investment prioritisation, governance and assurance.
• Demonstrated commercial and vendor management capability.
• Experience working with executives and boards on investment decision‑making.
• Analytical, outcome‑focused and value‑driven approach.
• Experience in complex or regulated environments is desirable.

Required skills