County Engineering Manager - Lancashire Water

The Role

Are you an experienced engineering leader ready to shape the future of our county operations? In this role, you’ll take accountability for delivering all required engineering outcomes across the county—providing expert, multidisciplinary support and guidance to the County Business Team. You’ll collaborate closely with colleagues across operations, engineering, asset planning and commercial teams to ensure all asset planning, development, maintenance and optimisation activities are aligned, efficient and future‑focused.

As the single point of accountability to the County Business Leader, you’ll build a deep understanding of county priorities and translate these into a forward‑looking portfolio of engineering activities. Working in partnership with the wider business, you’ll plan resource requirements, drive performance, manage risk and ensure we deliver high‑quality, reliable and cost‑effective services for our customers and communities.

Role Accountabilties

In this role, you’ll lead the delivery of high‑quality Engineering services across the county, ensuring Time, Cost and Quality outcomes are met through strong collaboration, shared accountability and a culture of continuous learning. You’ll play a key role in developing the technical competence of MEICA teams, making sure colleagues receive the right training, support and validation to grow within a trusted competency framework.

You’ll also be responsible for:

• Creating an environment where people thrive—providing day‑to‑day line management where required and inspiring both Engineering and operational teams. You’ll help shape a positive culture built on our values, mutual respect and United Utilities’ ambition.
• Working as part of the County Business Leadership Team, contributing to operational planning, budgeting, performance improvements and long‑term thinking. You’ll act as a collaborative partner, helping to balance priorities and enabling informed decision‑making.

Building strong, trusted relationships with the County Management Team, offering a single, consistent point of contact for Engineering support. You’ll work openly with colleagues, ensuring clear communication, early escalation when needed and joint problem‑solving across the business.

Playing an active role within the wider Engineering Management community, supporting the daily leadership of county activities while championing and sponsoring strategic initiatives that enhance capability across the portfolio.

Leading county Engineering service provision to continuously improve asset performance, reliability and effectiveness—not through top‑down instruction, but by working with teams to understand challenges, explore solutions and drive sustainable improvements.

Coordinating Engineering responses to operational needs, incidents or events, ensuring support is timely, collaborative and focused on safety, compliance and efficiency. You’ll encourage shared learning, identify best practice and help spread continuous improvement across teams.

Spotting opportunities to reduce operating costs, strengthen safety and compliance, and manage risk—working with colleagues to turn insights into practical, achievable actions.

Acting as the default Principal Designer under Construction Design Management regulations for county assets where no alternative appointment has been made.

Monitoring and reporting on the county Engineering OPEX budget, working transparently with colleagues to optimise spend and support delivery of business outcomes.

Essential Skills & Experience

To be successful in this role you’ll need to be a Chartered Engineer and a member of a professional body or have equivalent experience and technical knowledge. You’ll also have significant experience in the water and wastewater sector including strong knowledge of the marketplace – technologies, emerging trends and latest developments, third party offerings, competitor strategies and current issues facing Engineering in the Water industry. You’ll also have:

• Full UK driving license with access to a vehicle.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Car cash allowance - £5,000
• Up to 20% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• 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
  
  

About Us

Salary - Competitive

Work Type - Hybrid

Job Location - Blackburn WasteWater Treatment Works, Cuerdale Lane, Samlesbury Nr Preston Lancashire PR5 0UY

Role Type - Permanent

Employment Type - Full Time

Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, 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 value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.