United Utilities

Operations Team Leader

Employment type: Full time

Salary: £56,356 per annum

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Job Description

The Role

📍 Location:
🕒 Monday–Thursday (Fixed Shift Pattern – No Rotation)
🚗 Full UK Driving Licence Required (No Company Van Provided)

We’re looking for a Wastewater Network Team Leader to lead frontline operational teams, driving performance, productivity, and customer outcomes across our wastewater network.

This is a leadership role focused on managing people, improving operational performance, and delivering excellent service—not just technical expertise.

You’ll take ownership of shift performance, ensuring teams are set up for success, incidents are managed effectively, and customer issues are resolved first time.

What You'll Be Doing

Leading and developing a team to deliver high-quality operational performance.
Driving productivity across your shift—maximising output while maintaining safety and quality.
Monitoring and reporting on performance metrics (e.g. job completion, efficiency, customer outcomes).
Producing clear shift handover reports and communicating key updates
Managing and supporting incident response, including escalations and operational challenges.
Coaching and developing individuals to improve capability and performance.
Identifying opportunities to reduce repeat work, improve first-time resolution, and increase efficiency.
Ensuring a strong focus on customer experience and service delivery.
Support emergency incident response where necessary to drive best possible customer and regulatory outcomes.

What We're Looking For.......

We’re open to candidates from a range of backgrounds—not just wastewater. What matters most is your ability to lead, improve performance, and manage teams effectively.

Essential:

Full UK Driving Licence
Minimum 5 GCSE’s grade [A-C] or equivalent which must include Maths, English and a Science or Technology subject.
Proven experience in team leadership or shift management
Experience coaching, developing, and managing performance
Strong communication skills (written & verbal)
Ability to analyse performance data and drive improvements
Confident handling operational challenges, pressure, and conflict
Experience in a regulated industry (e.g. utilities, logistics, manufacturing, retail operations)
Strong financial understanding to support the Drainage Delivery Manager to deliver financial plans and identify areas for further efficiencies.

Desirable:

Exposure to incident response or operational escalation environments
Knowledge of wastewater or network operations

What Success Looks Like

In this role, success isn’t just about getting through the workload—it’s about:

Improving team productivity and efficiency
Reducing repeat issues and customer contacts
Delivering consistent, high-quality outcomes
Building a high-performing, engaged team

Assessment Process

To ensure a fair and consistent process, all candidates will complete:

Presentation Task – Demonstrating how you would improve team performance and operational outcomes
Competency-Based Interview – Focused on leadership, performance management, and problem-solving
Scenario-Based Question – Exploring your approach to operational incidents and challenges

Additional Information

Fixed working pattern: Monday to Thursday (14:00-22:00) Friday 10:00-18:00
No rotating shifts or bank holiday working
Role is site-based within your assigned region
As you will see there are multiple locations advertised for this role, please only apply for one.

About Us

Salary - £51,233 plus 10% shift allowance
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location -
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week (see shifts above)

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