Integrated Network Programme Delivery Manager

About us

At United Utilities, what we do matters. Every day, our teams deliver vital services that support millions of people, protect the environment, and help communities thrive across the North West.

We're investing more than ever in our water network, and we're looking for an exceptional leader to play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering that future.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a multi-million-pound capital programme, lead a high-performing team of project and engineering professionals, and influence strategic investment decisions that will have a lasting impact on customers, communities and the environment.

If you're a proven infrastructure delivery leader with a passion for operational excellence, engineering innovation and people leadership, we'd love to hear from you.

The role

Reporting to the Head of Capital Maintenance Delivery, you will lead a regional team of Programme Delivery Managers, Project Managers and Project Engineers, ensuring the successful delivery of planned water network investment programmes across the region.

With accountability for the deployment of up to £650 million of capital investment during AMP8, you'll be responsible for delivering critical infrastructure projects safely, efficiently and to agreed time, cost and quality standards.

You will lead both direct delivery teams and framework partners, whilst providing technical and delivery assurance across a broad range of business units including Capital Delivery, Developer Services, Managed Service Providers, TSA, and Supply & Demand.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring strong commercial acumen, strategic thinking, stakeholder management and a relentless focus on customer outcomes.

What You'll Be Doing

Strategic Programme Leadership

• Lead the delivery of planned clean water network investment programmes across the region.
• Own the successful delivery of significant capital maintenance and investment schemes valued between £400 million and £600 million across AMP8.
• Translate strategic business plans into executable delivery programmes.
• Drive ODI and Performance Commitment Delivery (PCD) outcomes through effective programme execution.

Major Capital Investment Delivery

• Act as the single point of accountability for the AMP8+ Mains Renewal Programme.
• Oversee annual capital deployment of approximately £100 million per year across mains renewal activities.
• Deliver a range of network maintenance interventions including:
• Mains diversions
• Aqueduct and pipe bridge repairs
• Service reservoir maintenance and bypass works
• Distribution meter installations
• Pressure monitoring valve programmes
• Minor network enhancement schemes

Leadership & People Management

• Lead and develop a team of approximately 25 highly skilled professionals across programme delivery, project management, design and engineering disciplines.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Inspire high performance while developing future leaders within the business.
• Ensure effective resource planning and capability development across the team.

Supply Chain & Commercial Performance

• Manage relationships with 5 to 7 Tier One framework partners.
• Drive value through effective commercial management and performance assurance.
• Ensure projects are delivered efficiently, safely and in line with budget expectations.
• Maintain flexibility across the supply chain to actively manage delivery risk and programme resilience.

Safety, Compliance & Engineering Excellence

• Champion an industry-leading safety culture across all programmes.
• Ensure all Construction Design and Management (CDM) responsibilities are fully discharged.
• Lead the standardisation of engineering, quality, auditing and compliance processes.
• Act as a recognised network engineering subject matter expert, bringing innovative solutions that protect network resilience and customer service.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation, from operational teams to Executive leadership.
• Provide expert advice and challenge on programme performance, investment priorities and engineering solutions.
• Coordinate effectively across design, operations, network management, customer teams and delivery partners.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an influential and resilient leader with a track record of delivering complex infrastructure programmes in highly regulated environments.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Significant experience leading major capital delivery or infrastructure programmes.
• Proven success managing large-scale budgets and complex investment portfolios.
• Strong leadership experience with the ability to build, inspire and develop high-performing teams.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering programmes to time, cost, quality and safety targets.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the confidence to influence at Executive and Board level.
• Strong commercial and contractual management experience.
• Extensive experience managing third-party delivery partners and supply chains.
• Highly developed financial, analytical and decision-making capability.
• Experience delivering and embedding business change initiatives.
• Ability to balance customer expectations with operational and regulatory requirements.
• Strong understanding of risk management, governance and compliance requirements.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified or equivalent professional experience.
• Professional qualification relevant to engineering, programme or project delivery.
• Membership of the Association for Project Management (APM) is desirable, or a commitment to achieve this with company support.

Desirable

• Water industry experience.
• Clean water network engineering knowledge.
• Experience operating within a regulated utility environment.

Other

Why United Utilities?

This is more than a leadership role. It's an opportunity to shape the future of water infrastructure across the North West while delivering projects that make a genuine difference to society and the environment.

Reward Package

• 26-30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Up to 14% employer pension contribution
• £5,000 annual car allowance
• Up to 20% annual performance bonus
• Private healthcare and wellbeing support
• Retail, lifestyle and leisure discounts
• Professional development and career progression opportunities
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• The opportunity to lead one of the UK's largest infrastructure investment programmes

Ready to Make an Impact?

Join United Utilities and help deliver the essential infrastructure that keeps the North West flowing today while building a more resilient future for generations to come.

Apply now and be at the forefront of transforming the region's water network.