Programme Manager

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 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. 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 20% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A £5,000 car allowance to support your travel needs
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working

Our projects are designed to be environmentally and socially responsible and will offer you opportunities to learn and grow throughout the project cycle. We are here to support you in reaching your full potential and thriving in your career and beyond.

The role

As Programme Manager, you will oversee and lead the successful delivery of a comprehensive programme of works executed by UU’s Bioresources & Regional Delivery Team, which comprises United Utilities staff, partners, and contractors. This work will be carried out in alignment with our corporate values, with a strong focus on ensuring personnel safety, process safety, and health and well-being. You will apply agility with adopting and promoting systems thinking, situational awareness, and production line thinking, while ensuring that key outcomes such as regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction, and resilience are consistently delivered.

In this pivotal role, you will act as the primary interface between the Delivery Team and senior-level business functions. You will be responsible for managing internal and external stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of the Capital Programme, in line with our overarching business strategy, organisational vision, sustainability goals, and eco-friendly reputation. Your leadership skills will be essential in handling dynamic and complex situations, influencing strategic decisions across various business contexts, and driving critical components of our capital programme. By working closely with subject matter experts, you will play a key role in addressing industry-specific challenges and contributing to United Utilities’ long-term success.

This role provides a unique opportunity for full exposure to the organisation, including our major contracts and partnerships with some of the industry’s largest players. You will be expected to build and maintain strong relationships, manage stakeholder engagement effectively, and provide expert guidance to contractors and the broader supply chain. Your role will also involve an understanding of delivery of projects within a regulatory environment.

We are proud to offer a flexible, hybrid working model designed to support a healthy work-life balance. While the role offers the freedom to work remotely, you will be required to attend our Lingley Mere site in Warrington at least three days per week to foster collaboration and engagement. In addition, you may occasionally travel to other sites across the North West. During the onboarding phase, more frequent site visits may be necessary to help you familiarise yourself with the team, the organisation, and your responsibilities.

At United Utilities, we are 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.

Key accountabilities

• Leadership and Team Management: Lead a multidisciplinary team of ~30 directly and >50 indirectly, mentoring Programme Delivery professionals to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality project delivery aligned with business objectives
• Programme Delivery and Oversight: Oversee the delivery of a £100M annual investment programme, managing Gross Working Expenditure, monitoring performance, and addressing risks, changes, and compliance with corporate governance
• Stakeholder and Supply Chain Engagement: Build strong relationships with leadership, stakeholders, and the supply chain to meet client expectations, resolve escalations, and ensure seamless project delivery
• Health, Safety, and Resource Planning: Develop and promote a safety-first culture while ensuring proper resource allocation and workforce readiness to meet programme demands
• Performance and Assurance: Deliver projects to time, cost, and quality (TCQ) targets, producing commercial and quality assurance plans in collaboration with the PMO and reporting progress to executives monthly

Skills & experience

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Experience operating at a strategic and changeable programme level to delivery business objectives and outcomes
• Demonstrable leadership and people management skills and an ability to build and develop high performing teams
• Degree qualified, APMP qualification and/or Member of Association for Project Management (MAPM) (or demonstrable equivalent skills, knowledge and experience)
• Hold a current UK/EU driving licence

Other

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
• 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
• You may be entitled to relocation expenses of up to £8,000 for this position. This will depend on the outcome of an eligibility check

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/

Compliance

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-screening - 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
2. Application Review - Your CV, supporting documents and qualification notes will be reviewed by UU hiring managers to determine eligibility for interview
3. Interview - If invited to interview, you'll be assessed against the sift categories in the Skills & Experience section of this advert
4. 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