Programme Delivery Manager

About us

Are you an experienced programme leader with a track record of delivering complex, large-scale capital portfolios?

United Utilities is looking for an exceptional leader to take ownership of our Treatment Base Maintenance Programme, a portfolio exceeding £800 million across AMP8, covering water treatment, wastewater, bioresources and energy services.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of essential infrastructure that serves millions of customers across the North West. You'll sit at the heart of our treatment services operation, leading the delivery of critical capital investment programmes that keep our assets resilient, efficient and fit for the future.

The role

As a Programme Delivery Manager, you will provide strategic leadership across a multi-million-pound Capital Expenditure (Capex) and Infrastructure Renewal Expenditure (IRE) programme.

You will own and deliver an agile investment runway that bridges major capital schemes and day-to-day operational maintenance, ensuring the successful execution of projects ranging from reactive interventions through to major asset replacements.

Working across a complex stakeholder landscape, you'll partner with operational leaders, commercial teams and external delivery partners to maximise customer outcomes, drive efficiency and ensure the successful delivery of AMP8 ambitions.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Strategic Programme Leadership

• Lead the delivery of a treatment portfolio valued at over £800m throughout AMP8.

• Own the planning, prioritisation and coordination of all non-enhancement capital and IRE expenditure across treatment services.

• Develop and maintain an agile delivery runway to maximise programme performance.

• Translate business strategy into executable delivery plans, investment priorities and budgets.

Portfolio & Financial Management

• Accountable for the financial performance and governance of the base maintenance programme.

• Manage workload, spend profiles, completions and target outputs.

• Ensure robust forecasting, reporting and investment control across all programmes.

• Drive efficiency, eliminate duplication and maximise value from every pound invested.

Partner & Stakeholder Leadership

• Build and maintain strong relationships with County Business Leaders to ensure investment is prioritised effectively.

• Work closely with internal capital delivery teams to identify opportunities for alignment and operational efficiency.

• Lead engagement with strategic delivery partners, contractors and framework providers.

• Provide commercial and contractual leadership during operational incidents and major programme challenges.

Team & Culture

• Lead and inspire a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and collaboration.
• Champion the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing across all delivery activities.
• Coach and develop future leaders within United Utilities and partner organisations.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a senior leader who combines strategic thinking with exceptional delivery capability.

You'll bring:

• Extensive experience managing large-scale capital investment portfolios and complex infrastructure programmes.
• Proven programme and project management expertise across multi-million-pound Capex environments.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience managing major contracts and delivery partnerships.
• Experience developing business plans, investment strategies and operational budgets.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across executive and operational leadership teams.
• Demonstrable success in leading, developing and motivating high-performing teams.
• The agility and resilience to navigate changing priorities and operational challenges.
• A degree qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Experience within the utilities, water, infrastructure, energy or regulated sectors would be highly advantageous.

Why United Utilities?

At United Utilities, what we do matters. Every investment programme we deliver helps provide essential water and wastewater services to millions of customers while protecting the environment and supporting communities across the North West.

Join us and you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact through one of the UK's most ambitious infrastructure investment programmes.

Reward Package

We offer a comprehensive package designed to reward and support our people, including:

• 26-30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Up to 14% employer pension contribution
• £5,000 annual car allowance
• Up to 20% performance bonus
• Private healthcare and wellbeing support
• Retail, lifestyle and leisure discounts
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Clear career progression pathways

Impact

Interested?

If you're ready to lead a nationally significant infrastructure programme, influence investment decisions worth hundreds of millions of pounds and help shape the future of treatment services across the North West, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and play a leading role in delivering AMP8 and beyond.