
Job Description
The Role:
Lead and inspire a high-performing, delivery-focused team responsible for the operation and maintenance of key wastewater network assets. You will drive performance across your Drainage areas, ensuring safe, efficient, and fully compliant operations, while championing customer excellence.
What you’ll be doing:
- Take ownership of a significant operational area, delivering against regulatory, health & safety, financial, customer, and performance targets.
- Drive improvements across wastewater network pumping stations and associated assets within your designated Drainage Areas.
- Maximise productivity, quality, and efficiency across both assets and workforce, embedding a strong culture of safety and customer service.
- Lead, develop, and performance manage a multi-disciplinary delivery team.
- Provide expert technical guidance to field teams and implement strategic changes that enhance performance and customer outcomes.
- Champion a proactive approach to customer issues, ensuring delivery of 24/7 service standards and commitments.
- Support the Drainage Area Manager in the overall management of assets, with direct responsibility for day-to-day operations in your area.
- Influence key operational decisions relating to Mechanical, Electrical & Instrumentation (ME&I) assets.
- Oversee people management processes including performance reviews, development plans, and engagement activities.
- Identify capability gaps and drive targeted training and development initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with site security and emergency requirements.
- Contribute to wider Wholesale leadership, sharing best practice and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
- Manage operational budgets and ensure efficient use of resources.
What we’re looking for:
- Proven leadership experience within operations, utilities, or a similar technical environment
- Strong knowledge of wastewater networks and regulatory frameworks
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, drive performance, and deliver against targets
- Customer-focused with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Commercial awareness and experience managing budgets and resources
- Strong problem-solving, planning, and organisational capability
- Resilient, adaptable, and able to lead in a fast-paced, 24/7 operational environment
More about the role and your team:
You will lead a team of 9 skilled professionals made up of Network Asset Controllers, Network Asset Engineers, Technical Officers, and a Network Maintainer Controllers.
This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll balance operational delivery with people development—coaching your team to perform at their best while maintaining high standards across safety, compliance, and customer service. You’ll play a key part in shaping how the team operates, driving engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
What's in it for you:
- Competitive Salary
- 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
- Up to 10.5% 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
- EVolve Car Scheme
- Employee Assistance Plan
- ShareBuy
- MORE Choices flexible benefits
- Enhanced parental leave schemes
We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.
Company benefits
Working at United Utilities
Company employees:
Gender diversity (m:f):
Hiring in countries
United Kingdom
Office Locations
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