Emergency Planning Manager

Job Description

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Emergency Planning Manager to lead our Emergency Planning team and take organisational accountability for emergency preparedness, response and recovery.

This role provides leadership and direct line‑management responsibility for a specialist team, setting strategy, standards and priorities for emergency planning to ensure resilience is embedded across corporate risk management and operational delivery.

As our subject matter expert in incident response, you will provide clear leadership during high‑pressure incidents, operate confidently at strategic (Gold) level, and ensure the organisation is fully compliant with regulatory and legislative requirements.

What you'll be doing......

Leading the Emergency Planning Team

• Lead, manage and develop the Emergency Planning team, setting clear objectives, priorities and performance expectations.
• Build capability, resilience and succession within the team through coaching, support and professional development.
• Provide decisive leadership during incidents, exercises and major events.

Emergency Planning & Resilience

• Lead the development and delivery of emergency planning policy, strategy and plans.
• Own and assure the organisation’s emergency planning framework, ensuring consistency across strategic, tactical and operational levels.
• Embed resilience and business continuity into corporate risk management and operational decision‑making.
• Act as the organisation’s lead authority for emergency preparedness and incident response.

Incident Response, Training & Assurance

• Provide strategic leadership during incidents when required.
• Lead the design and delivery of emergency exercises, training and assurance activity.
• Oversee post‑incident and post‑exercise reviews, ensuring lessons learned drive meaningful and sustained improvement.
• Specify and oversee corporate solutions supporting emergency planning and incident management, including securing investment to deliver business continuity capability.

Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement

• Lead engagement with Defra, Water UK and multi‑agency partners, representing the organisation externally.
• Ensure compliance with the Civil Contingencies Act, Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD) and relevant audit requirements.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and responder partners to support effective joint planning and response.

What you'll bring......

• A full UK driving license as travel will be required.
• Experience working in emergency planning, resilience, business continuity or incident response, ideally within a regulated or operational environment.
• Experience of line‑managing or supervising staff or acting as a lead practitioner coordinating the work of others.
• Practical knowledge of emergency planning and incident response processes, including development and maintenance of plans and procedures.
• Working knowledge of the Civil Contingencies Act and an understanding of the UK resilience framework.
• Awareness of the Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD) and associated compliance or assurance activity.
• Experience supporting or contributing to emergency exercises, training and post‑incident reviews.
• Ability to work calmly and effectively during incidents, following established command structures and providing clear information and support.
• Good communication and stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to work constructively with internal teams and external partners.
• Organised and self‑motivated, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work with a degree of autonomy.
• Willingness to undertake continuous professional development in emergency planning and incident management.

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
• 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
• 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 - Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP
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.

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.