Leakage Technical Manager

Job Description

Salary - Competitive Salary
Work Type - Hybrid
Job Location - Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP - This role can be flexible on location as this is a Regional role.
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.

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

Job Purpose:

To lead and develop pressure management strategy and capability across the region, driving excellence in network optimisation and leakage performance. The role ensures that pressure is effectively managed across the network to balance customer service, asset protection, and leakage reduction, through the application of robust operational practices, advanced technologies, and data-driven decision making.

A key focus is embedding innovative pressure management techniques, operational trials, and smart network solutions, ensuring enhanced capability translates into sustainable leakage reduction, improved network resilience, and regulatory compliance.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Lead the development and implementation of regional pressure management strategies aligned to leakage and pressure targets.
• Work collaboratively with the Water Demand Team and County based Network
• Performance managers to optimise pressure across the network.
• Identify, trial, and implement innovative pressure management technologies (e.g. smart pressure control, real-time monitoring, AI-driven optimisation).
• Develop business cases for pressure optimisation schemes and wider rollouts, ensuring clear benefits realisation and stakeholder engagement.
• Ensure effective integration of pressure management tools into daily operations, working with Network Operations, Engineering, and Digital teams.
• Maintain governance for pressure management activities, including performance tracking, reporting, and learning capture.

What We Are Looking For:

• Degree qualified (or equivalent experience) in Engineering, Scientific, or Mathematical discipline.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Strong experience in water network operations with a focus on pressure management, leakage, and system optimisation.
• Deep understanding of PRVs, water network design, hydraulic behaviour, and pressure-leakage relationships.
• Proven experience delivering pressure optimisation or leakage reduction programmes.
• Experience in implementing new technologies and driving operational change within a regulated environment.
• Strong analytical capability, using network and performance data to inform decisions and improvements.
• Sound understanding of regulatory requirements and leakage/pressure obligations.
• Awareness of customer, reputational, and financial impacts of network performance.
• Commitment to delivering operational and financial targets.

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.