Lead Commercial Manager

Job Description

About us

Lead Commercial Manager

Location: Lingley Mere, Warrington (Hybrid)

Salary: Competitive + exceptional benefits + £5000 Annual Car Allowance

Organisation: United Utilities – FTSE 100

Lead the Commercial Strategy Behind the North West’s Biggest Infrastructure Transformation

The role

Ready to take the commercial lead on some of the most ambitious, environmentally significant projects in the UK?

At United Utilities, we’re delivering the largest investment in water infrastructure in over a century — and we’re looking for a Lead Commercial Manager to shape how we do it.

This is your chance to influence multi‑billion‑pound decisions, partner with major industry players, and drive commercial excellence across a FTSE 100 organisation with a purpose that truly matters.

Why Join United Utilities? We’re on a mission to deliver high‑quality water for a greener, healthier, more prosperous North West. As a Lead Commercial Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in making that happen — while enjoying a workplace that values innovation, inclusion, and personal growth.

Why Join United Utilities?

We’re on a mission to deliver high‑quality water for a greener, healthier, more prosperous North West.

As a Lead Commercial Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in making that happen — while enjoying a workplace that values innovation, inclusion, and personal growth.

You’ll also benefit from:

• 26 days’ holiday, rising to 30 with service
• Up to 21% combined pension contribution
• Up to 20% annual bonus
• £5000 Annual Car Allowance
• Company‑funded private healthcare
• Hybrid working (3 days on site)

This is a place where you can grow, excel, and be yourself — all while shaping the future of essential services for millions.

What You’ll Lead

As a Lead Commercial Manager, you’ll head up our Water and Wastewater Build commercial teams — both central to delivering our AMP8 capital programme.

You will:

• Lead a high‑performing commercial team delivering best‑practice procurement and contract management
• Shape and execute strategic category plans that influence the entire organisation
• Drive value, innovation, and commercial performance across major capital programmes
• Negotiate high‑value contracts and manage key supplier relationships
• Champion strong contract governance and supplier performance
• Provide commercial insight that shapes business strategy and future investment
• Build powerful relationships with senior leaders, delivery partners, and industry stakeholders
• Take ownership of developing People, driving Culture & leading Positive Change
• Play a key role in transitioning the commercial function to new, future‑focused ways of working

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for a commercially sharp, strategically minded leader who can operate confidently in a complex, fast‑moving environment.

You are a credible senior commercial leader, comfortable operating at scale and influencing across complex organisational structures.

You will bring:

• Professional qualification as a Quantity Surveyor, with significant experience leading commercial teams
• Deep technical expertise across NEC frameworks and complex, non‑standard contracts
• Proven experience managing large‑scale outsourced labour and framework contracts

You’ll need:

• A degree (post‑graduate qualifications like CIPS, RICS, MBA or MSc are desirable)
• A track record of delivering commercial change, driving value and savings, and cross‑functional improvements
• Strong knowledge of procurement in regulated environments or comparative industries
• Experience in SRM and contract management
• The ability to influence senior leaders and shape strategic decisions
• Confidence in exec level engagements and delivering positive influence
• Confidence navigating commercial agreements in a rapidly evolving landscape

If you thrive on complexity, collaboration, and commercial challenge, you’ll feel right at home here.

Impact

Make Your Mark on the Future of the North West

This is more than a commercial leadership role — it’s a chance to contribute to environmental progress, community wellbeing, and long‑term regional prosperity.

If you’re ready to lead with purpose and shape the future of water infrastructure, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and become part of the United Utilities family.