Integrated Water Management Internship

About us

Every day, we deliver one of life's most essential services to millions of people across the North West. From providing safe, high-quality drinking water to protecting the environment and supporting thriving communities, the work we do matters. We're investing £16.5 billion over the next five years in one of the biggest transformation programmes in our history. It's an exciting time to join us as we improve our services, enhance environmental performance, embrace innovation and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

There's more to us than just great water. We are where purpose flows.

What can you expect as an Intern within our Integrated Water Management Team?

As an Integrated Water Management Intern, you'll play a key role in supporting the planning and delivery of sustainable water management solutions across the North West. Working closely with an Integrated Water Manager and collaborating with teams across United Utilities and external partner organisations, you'll use data analysis and GIS mapping to identify opportunities for collaboration and inform strategic decision-making. You'll create and analyse spatial datasets, produce reports and presentation materials, support workshops, and help maintain key programme data and partnership records. This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in data-driven environmental planning, develop valuable technical and stakeholder engagement skills, and contribute to United Utilities' innovative Catchment Systems Thinking approach.

What you’ll be getting stuck into day to day:

The successful Intern will work directly with an Integrated Water Manager and will lead the analysis of internal and external data to support the delivery of Integrated Water Management planning in a county/ies. They will work within the wider Integrated Water Management team and collaborate with other teams in United Utilities, as well as with external partner organisations to drive our Catchment Systems Thinking (CaST) approach.

Key responsibilities for this role are:

• Create new spatial data sets where needed by geographically representing data through digitisation
• Provide analysis of spatial data through GIS and determine the best way to represent it visually to stakeholders (internal and external) who may be non-technical
• Use the spatial analysis to identify collaborative opportunities
• Run queries, produce reports and create slide pack materials in a timely manner
• Report partnership working through updating the Partnership Opportunity Pipeline with new opportunities or progress of existing
• Support the delivery of workshops through data analysis, interpretation and production of materials
• Identify and obtain additional (or new) datasets that could be used to support analysis
• Review and update a programme data catalogue for the county/ies, including programme data from other organisations
• Establish and maintain a strong working relationship with internal and external stakeholders and embrace partnership working

What you’ll bring to the team:

You will be aiming for/ achieved a minimum of a 2:1 in an environmentally focussed degree such as Geography, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or Natural Science. This opportunity is aimed at someone who has graduated in the past year, but providing you can demonstrate the required skills we will consider applicants who are still at university.

You must have a researched knowledge of the water industry and United Utilities. You must have a strong and well-developed analytical skills, with an attention to detail, ability to interpret and analyse data and contribute towards recommendations that consider the needs of the environment, customers and businesses. Ability to use GIS is strongly desirable.

You should possess excellent written and interpersonal skills and have the ability to communicate and influence across multiple stakeholder groups, including being able to creatively use a range of media and presentation skills for qualitative and quantitative information in a means that can be understood by all.

You must be highly computer literate (in particular word processing, spread sheets, presentations and GIS). You must demonstrate a willingness to learn and genuine interest in/curiosity about Catchment management. You must be motivated and enthusiastic, understand the importance of team work and possess ambition and drive to succeed and make the most out of your internship. You should be able to be comfortable working flexibly across a range of tasks and activities to deadlines and be able to prioritise your time.

Why join United Utilities as an intern?

By joining us on our internship programme, you'll not only get first-class training and support, but we'll also provide you with an in-depth understanding of your business area so you can develop the skills you need to progress your career, while making a real contribution to the communities we serve.

You might enter our organisation as an intern, but one thing's for sure: if you perform well, you may well be leaving with a graduate offer before you've even returned to university.

We know that delivering a great service starts with supporting you, our people. That's why we offer a range of benefits designed to help you thrive both at work and outside of it.

Salary of at least £25,950 per annum (pro rata)

26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Want to learn more about life at United Utilities? Take a look at our Flexa profile:

United Utilities | Verified Employers | Flexa Careers

Our commitment to opportunity for all

We're committed to creating a workplace where you feel you can belong and can succeed. Our colleague networks play an important role in this, these are;

GeneQ – supporting gender equality, parents and carers

Multi-Cultural & Faith

LGBTQ+

Armed Forces

Ability – supporting colleagues with disabilities and long-term health conditions

We recommend that you are open and honest with us throughout the process and make us aware of any reasonable adjustments you may require.

To ensure a fair recruitment process, we ask that you apply for only one internship role per recruitment year. Take a look at all our opportunities and apply for the one that interests you most.

Additional Information

Our recruitment process requires you to complete:

• An Online application form

• Online tests
• An in-person interview and presentation

Please note that you must be available to attend an in-person recruitment stage during the period 17th November – 11th December

Application deadline: 21st October 2026 – please apply early as deadlines are subject to change

Based on current immigration guidelines this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship

Due to the length of the programme being 12 months maximum you will be engaged on a fixed term contract.