Risk & Strategy Manager

The Role

As the Risk & Strategy Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of the Wastewater Network Integrated Business Plan (IBP), translating the Company Business Plan (CBP) and strategic objectives into prioritised investment plans across the region.

You will ensure capital and operational expenditure (TOTEX) is directed towards the highest-priority areas, enabling effective investment decisions and supporting the development of Integrated Asset Plans (IAPs) at drainage and county level. Working across a broad range of stakeholders, you will drive business planning activities, optimise investment programmes, and ensure the successful delivery of AMP commitments while balancing customer, regulatory, environmental, and operational requirements.

This is a highly influential role requiring strong leadership, strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and the ability to drive collaboration across multiple business functions.

Role Accountabilities

Investment Planning & Optimisation

• Translate the Company Business Plan and network strategies into an Integrated Business Plan (IBP) for wastewater networks.
• Support and coordinate investment optimisation processes to ensure expenditure is targeted at the highest-priority areas.
• Develop annual programmes of work that balance customer outcomes, business priorities, ODI commitments, and health and safety requirements.
• Direct and manage individual projects (VSPs) and investment programmes, ensuring prioritisation aligns with regulatory and company requirements.
• Monitor, review, and update annual programmes on a monthly basis to ensure performance and investment objectives are achieved.
• Allocate budgets and financial targets to area teams to support successful IBP delivery.
• Produce and present monthly financial, spend, and performance reports.

Strategic Planning & Asset Management

• Translate strategic plans into clear guidance for area teams developing Integrated Asset Plans (IAPs), ensuring a consistent regional approach.
• Work closely with Asset Managers and key stakeholders to understand external requirements and incorporate these into network planning activities.
• Monitor the effectiveness of both IAPs and the IBP, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and driving required changes.
• Ensure support systems, including asset data, performance monitoring, and financial controls, remain effective and evolve alongside business planning requirements.

Stakeholder Management & Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including local authorities, regulators, and environmental bodies.
• Use data insights to influence decision-making and drive alignment across the business.
• Promote joined up working across departments to maximise the value and consistency of planning outputs.
• Provide leadership and direction to support effective cross-functional collaboration and delivery.

Performance & Delivery

• Deliver key business targets and objectives within available resources, particularly financial constraints.
• Support AMP planning and business planning activities, ensuring high-quality outputs are delivered on time.
• Drive continuous improvement and change initiatives that deliver measurable business benefits.

Essential Skills & Experience

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Significant relevant experience in a technical, commercial, or operational environment.
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to inspire, influence, and develop high-performing teams.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing at all levels, from operational teams through to senior leadership and Board level.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrable success in building collaborative relationships to achieve business objectives.

Strategic Planning & Business Performance

• Significant experience leading business planning functions, including budget management, resource planning, and performance management.
• Ability to translate high-level business strategies into practical, deliverable intervention and investment plans.
• Strong decision-making capability, using data and evidence to make complex decisions with regional impact.
• Experience successfully leading and embedding organisational change programmes that deliver tangible benefits.

Commercial & Analytical Capability

• Strong financial, analytical, and performance management skills.
• Experience operating within a highly regulated, customer-focused environment.
• Ability to assess competing priorities and balance operational, financial, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Interest in and awareness of wider business and industry challenges and opportunities.

Industry Knowledge & Technical Expertise

• Experience and understanding of the UK Water Industry.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple business functions and influence across organisational boundaries.
• Resilience and adaptability, with the ability to respond rapidly to changing priorities and unexpected events.
• Strong customer focus, with the ability to manage challenging internal and external stakeholder expectations.
• Knowledge of wastewater network planning and infrastructure investment strategies.

About Us

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