About us:
United Utilities’ (UU) mission is to deliver high-quality water for a more prosperous, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society. We are proud to be ranked #4 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. We promote a workplace culture where our people can grow, excel, and truly be themselves.
We uphold our ethics, values, and business model to fulfil our mission. By setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable, long-term value for our colleagues, customers, and communities. Whether you collaborate with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation.
We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution. These include
- A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays
- A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
- A 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
- A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
- Flexible and hybrid working
Please note: At UU, we champion flexible ways of working. This position requires in-person attendance at either Blackburn, Manchester, Warrington (Lingley Mere) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility to support your work-life balance.
Office or site attendance is expected a minimum 3 days per a week.
The Role:
As a Catchment Manager in United Utilities, you’ll play a key role in the proactive development of integrated collaborative catchment plans whilst working closely with internal and external stakeholders to optimise the way we address wastewater management risks and opportunities across river catchments.
Our ideal Catchment Manager will work with both an operational and strategic perspective, ensuring the impact of United Utilities discharges are considered and managed within the context of receiving river catchments, influencing Business investment planning and externally developed catchment plans. It’s all about better managing our impact on the environment and the impact the environment has on us, taking advantage of key opportunities but also assessing any potential risks through a catchment systems thinking approach.
Key accountabilities:
Our successful Catchment Manager will be responsible for working as part of the county leadership team to implement the integrated catchment approach to exploit business opportunities. You’ll be responsible for:
- Lead maintenance of existing and, where required, build new partnerships to support management of UU wastewater risks and issues as part of an integrated catchment systems thinking approach.
- Support the co-design and co-delivery of integrated catchment plans with internal and external stakeholders to achieve environmental and river water quality targets.
- Manage and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders and catchment partners through Defra’s Catchment Based Approach (CaBA), including managing key relationships with e.g. Regulators and Local Authorities.
- As part of UU’s County structure work across the Business, and particularly with wastewater process and network teams, to identify and manage the impact of United Utilities operational activities on local environments and watercourses as part of a catchment systems thinking approach. This will include managing escalated catchment based risks and opportunities through the wastewater County Programme Board escalation process.
- Support the water company Price Review process by integrating catchment based opportunities into Business Plan development. This will include supporting the development and delivery of Water Industry National Environment Programmes (WINEP) and leading project sponsorship of catchment based investigations and water quality improvement projects.
- Working with UU Integrated Water Management (IWM) teams, link existing risks and opportunities identified through catchment planning activity with the development of long term adaptive plans to manage water quality and quantity risks across strategic timescales.
- Identify opportunities to prioritise and co-design and co-deliver appropriate initiatives and education campaigns with local communities to manage wastewater risks and issues.
- As a wastewater catchment SME, support UU Area Engagement Leads and Public Affairs Teams to manage relationships with and develop key messaging for senior external stakeholders including MPs and news media outlets.
Skills & experience:
- Relevant educational qualifications
- Experience in dealing with regulators, the environmental third sector, local governmental organisations and community interest groups.
- Experience and knowledge of regulatory compliance and relevant environmental legislation relating to river water quality and wastewater discharge permits
- Stakeholder engagement – skilled in engaging a range of key stakeholders including UU customers, regulators, consultants, environmental sector, eNGOs
- Strong communication skills and an ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Strategic thinker with systems thinking approach to catchment planning activities.
- Interest/ experience in Wastewater treatment including wastewater process and networks, including combined sewer overflows, surface water management and pollution risk assessments.
- Data analysis skills (including experience of GIS e.g. ArcGIS)
- Experience in the end to end project delivery process including as Project Sponsor and managing project requirements.
- To be considered for this position you must have the right to work in the UK.
Other Information:
At United Utilities, we’re committed to supporting your professional and personal development. You will have access to a range of dynamic opportunities in a supportive and collaborative environment that encourages growth. By joining us, you will have the chance to make a meaningful difference to the North West of England while contributing to our ongoing transformation and sustainability efforts.
We believe in empowering you to achieve your aspirations and dreams, both in your work and in your life. To help you achieve your goals, we offer a variety of voluntary benefits that you can select according to your needs and preferences.
- Onsite gym and physio lounge with instructor-led gym classes and dedicated physiotherapist, onsite childcare and nursery, free parking and EV charging points, dedicated multi-faith/prayer rooms and free bus service for UU colleagues – Warrington only
- MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
- Best Doctors
- Salary Finance
- Wealth at Work courses
- Deals and discounts
- EVolve Car Scheme
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Mental health first aiders
- ShareBuy
- MORE Choices flexible benefits
- Enhanced parental leave schemes
Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:
- Pre-sift - We will check that your CV meets the essential/eligibility criteria listed in the Skills & Experience section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the criteria above.
- Sift - Your CV will be reviewed by UU hiring managers to determine eligibility for interview.
- Screening call with one of the Talent Acquisition Partners
- Interview - If invited to interview, you'll be assessed against the sift categories in the Skills & Experience section of this advert.
- Feedback - Feedback will be provided post-interview. If successful, your application will be considered for offer. Please note feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.
More information can be found below:
- UU benefits: https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits-of-working-for-us/
- Pension information: https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/pensions/
- UU careers: https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/
- Data privacy: https://www.unitedutilities.com/privacy/
