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United Utilities

Contract Formulation Professional

Location flexibility:  3 office days / week – 3 days in the office, 2 days from home
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United Utilities

Contract Formulation Professional

Warrington, UK

United Utilities

Senior Quantity Surveyor

Warrington, UK

Accenture UK

Contracts Manager

London | Glasgow (UK)

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Commercial Manager

£70,000 per annum

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United Utilities

Graduate Quantity Surveyor

From £32,250 per annum

Warrington, UK

Job Description

Location: Lingley Mere, Warrington

Salary: Competitive + Annual Bonus

Work Type: Hybrid | Full‑time | Permanent

About us

At United Utilities, our purpose is simple but powerful — to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West. We’re a FTSE 100 organisation with a bold vision, a commitment to sustainability, and a culture where people can grow, innovate and truly make an impact.

We value diversity, inclusion and fresh thinking. Whether you’re collaborating with experts across the business or shaping major infrastructure programmes, you’ll find a supportive environment where your expertise is recognised and your contribution matters.

And yes — we offer a fantastic benefits package too.

Why this role matters

We’re entering a major period of growth and transformation, and our Commercial function is expanding to support some of the largest and most ambitious construction and infrastructure programmes in the region.

We’re looking for a Contract Formulation Professional — someone who thrives on shaping robust, commercially sound construction contracts, navigating complex procurement landscapes, and ensuring our major projects start on the strongest possible footing.

If you have deep experience in construction contracts, pre‑contract development, commercial risk, and especially NEC4, this is your opportunity to influence projects that deliver real environmental and societal value.

Apply
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What You’ll Be Doing

Contract Strategy & Formulation

  • Lead the creation, development and quality assurance of sourcing and contract documentation.
  • Shape contract structures, commercial terms and risk allocations for major construction and infrastructure programmes.
  • Provide expert guidance on contract specifics, commercial risk and cross‑business impacts.
  • Ensure all pre‑contract activity aligns with regulatory requirements, including the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016.

Procurement & Tender Management

  • Manage end‑to‑end tendering processes: reviewing scopes, preparing contract data, issuing tender packs, managing queries, evaluating bids and recommending awards.
  • Develop commercially robust contract packages, including clustered frameworks and one‑off works contracts.
  • Ensure procurement activity is compliant, transparent and aligned with internal governance.

Stakeholder & Supplier Engagement

  • Build strong relationships with internal teams including Operations, Engineering, Finance, Legal and Regulatory Procurement.
  • Act as the first point of contact for contract‑related queries within your category.
  • Influence suppliers and contractors, promoting best‑practice commercial behaviours and protecting UU’s interests.

Commercial Assurance & Risk Management

  • Identify, assess and mitigate commercial and contractual risks.
  • Maintain effective contract and supplier relationship management.
  • Support the business in managing commercial claims, working closely with UU Legal.
  • Ensure all documentation, decisions and audit trails are complete and compliant.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for someone with strong contract formulation experience, ideally within construction or infrastructure environments.

You’ll need:

  • Significant experience developing and managing construction contracts, with strong working knowledge of NEC4 (highly desirable).
  • Experience running tender processes and evaluating complex technical and commercial submissions.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills — able to influence, challenge and collaborate effectively.
  • A solid understanding of regulated procurement and contract law.
  • Commercial negotiation skills and the ability to balance risk, value and compliance.
  • Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
  • The ability to manage competing priorities and operate confidently in a fast‑moving environment.

(No QS degree required — we welcome applicants from a wide range of commercial, procurement, contract management or construction backgrounds.)

What You’ll Get in Return

  • 26 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service) plus bank holidays
  • Up to 14% employer pension contribution
  • Up to 10.5% performance‑related bonus
  • Company‑funded healthcare plan
  • Discounts, wellbeing benefits, EV scheme and more
  • Flexible hybrid working (typically 3 days on site)
  • A supportive environment where your expertise shapes real‑world outcomes

Impact

Ready to Shape the Future of Construction Contracting in the North West?

If you’re passionate about building strong, resilient and commercially robust contracts — and want to play a key role in major infrastructure programmes — we’d love to hear from you.

Join us and help deliver a greener, stronger future for the North West.

Working at United Utilities

3 office days / week – 3 days in the office, 2 days from home

A little flex time

Company employees:

7,500

Gender diversity (m:f):

65:35

Hiring in countries

United Kingdom

Office Locations

Company benefits

26 days annual leave + bank holidays
Annual bonus – Bonus levels vary depending on your role grade
Buy or sell annual leave – Buy or sell up to 5 days per year
Death in service – covered for 4 times pensionable earnings
Cinema discounts
Employee recognition scheme – Colleague led recognition scheme with monthly winners
Cycle to work scheme
Dental coverage
Collaboration spaces
Electric Car Salary Sacrifice
Employee assistance programme
Enhanced maternity leave – Up to 26 weeks leave at full pay
Enhanced pension match/contribution – Up to 21% combined contributions
Enhanced sick days
Ergonomic workstations
Faith rooms
Family health insurance
Further education support – Ongoing learning opportunities through apprenticeships and vocational training
Gym membership – On-site gym at our head office & discounts on local gyms for those not based there
Health cash plan
Health insurance
In house training
Mental health days – 1 wellbeing day per year (in addition to annual leave)
Mental health first aiders
Compassionate leave
Enhanced paternity leave – Up to 4 weeks leave at full pay
Mental health platform access – Offering mental health consultations, health checks, digital fitness resources, and wellbeing support.
On-site gym
Open to compressed hours
Open to part time work for some roles
Adoption leave
Private GP service – via our virtual GP - available to you and your loved ones
Professional subscriptions
Referral bonus – of £500
Neonatal leave
Reservist leave – Reservists/Army Reserve with 6 months service are entitled to 10 days paid leave per year to attend the annual training camp.
Restaurant discounts
Secure on-site parking
Sensory-Friendly Setup
Shared parental leave
Will writing
Carer’s leave
On-site childcare – Only at our head office
Income protection