Head of Strategic Asset Management (Water)

Job Description

Head of Strategic Asset Management (Water)

Location: Warrington, Lingley Mere (Hybrid 3 days onsite)
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours
Salary: Competitive + Excellent Benefits

United Utilities is on a mission to create a greener, healthier and more resilient North West. As we look ahead to the future of water services, we’re strengthening our leadership team with a pivotal new role: Head of Strategic Asset Management (Water).

This is a rare opportunity to shape long-term water strategy for one of the UK’s largest regulated utilities influencing decisions at the highest levels, guiding major regulatory submissions, and ensuring our plans deliver for customers, communities and the environment.

If you’re motivated by purpose, complexity and impact, this is a role where your leadership will genuinely help secure the region’s water future.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll lead a team of subject matter experts and work closely with senior leaders across operations, engineering, regulation and compliance. Your remit spans long-term planning, regulatory strategy, risk assessment and external engagement.

You will:

• Develop and communicate long-term county plans that shape the future of water services across the North West.
• Lead the creation of enhancement cases and materials for Price Review submissions and other regulatory processes.
• Set long-term strategic targets and ambitions for water services.
• Work across the business to identify and assess strategic water and wastewater risks at a county level.
• Align short- and long-term plans with operational directors and cross-functional teams.
• Translate regional strategies into county-level priorities and ensure consistency across all long-term planning.
• Contribute to the development of key regulatory submissions including Water Resource Management Plans, Long Term Delivery Strategy, and lead the development of Price Review documentation.
• Manage and mentor a team of strategic asset managers, ensuring delivery of critical outputs.
• Support programme sponsors in appraising intervention options aligned to long-term strategy.
• Collaborate with risk managers to ensure integrated, co-developed plans.
• Work with the Integrated Water Management team to embed partnership ambitions into long-term plans.
• Build strong external relationships with regulators (Ofwat, DWI, Environment Agency), councils, flood action groups, farmers and regional stakeholders.
• Benchmark against other water companies and regulated industries to drive continuous improvement.
• Represent United Utilities with gravitas, clarity and confidence even in challenging conversations.

This is an autonomous, high‑profile role with direct interface to the Executive team and significant influence across the organisation.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for a strategic leader who can operate at pace, manage multiple priorities and communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences.

You’ll ideally have:

• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to shape long-term direction.
• Knowledge of water/wastewater systems, modelling, catchment approaches, Price Review processes and environmental assessments.
• Understanding of business finance and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, project management, influencing and financial skills.
• Experience leading teams and delivering effective communication strategies.
• The ability to build trust, navigate complex stakeholder environments and lead difficult conversations with confidence.
• Experience in utilities or regulated industries (beneficial but not essential).

Above all, you’ll bring a calm, credible presence and the ability to guide the organisation through complex strategic decisions.

Why join United Utilities

You’ll be part of a purpose-driven organisation committed to environmental stewardship, innovation and community impact. We offer a fantastic benefits package, including:

• 26 days’ holiday rising to 30 with service, plus bank holidays
• Up to 20% bonus
• £5,000 car allowance
• Up to 14% employer pension contribution (21% combined)
• Company-funded healthcare plan & private medical
• Gym discounts, EV car scheme, ShareBuy and flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave
• Mental health first aiders and employee assistance support

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you need adjustments during the recruitment process, we’ll support you.

If you’re ready to lead the long-term strategy that will shape the North West’s water future, we’d love to hear from you.