Senior County Operations Performance Manager

Job Description

The Role

Are you ready to step into a senior position where your decisions will be seen, heard, and felt across the business? This is a high-profile role with significant influence—perfect for a leader who thrives in complexity, embraces ambiguity, and has the resilience to deliver in a fast-evolving environment.

As County System Performance Manager, you’ll operate in a space where strategy meets execution. You’ll have the freedom to shape integrated planning, performance, and risk management approaches—while navigating the “grey areas” that demand adaptability and bold thinking. Your ability to turn insight into action and inspire collaboration will set the tone for success across the county.

At the heart of our new county hubs, you’ll bring together operational, engineering, maintenance, and data expertise to create a centre of excellence. Your mission? To design and deliver an optimised annual plan that not only meets ambitious targets but evolves with changing priorities. Working closely with Treatment and Network Delivery Managers, you’ll ensure every decision is informed by data, innovation, and strategic foresight.

Role Accountabilities

• Shape the County’s Future: Develop a strategic annual operational plan that transforms long-term business goals into actionable programmes, ensuring compliance with key regulatory requirements and delivering exceptional service.
• Lead Performance Excellence: Monitor end-to-end system performance and take decisive action to keep operations on track, driving continuous improvement across water and wastewater services.
• Own Financial Success: Take full accountability for county-level financial control, managing TOTEX budgets and making smart decisions to optimise resources while delivering on ambitious targets.
• Optimise Resources: Deploy and manage assets and teams effectively to meet operational priorities, ensuring every resource is used to its maximum potential.
• Drive Collaboration: Engage with internal and external stakeholders to create innovative, collaborative solutions that improve performance and customer experience.
• Champion Safety & Resilience: Implement robust health and safety risk management plans and contingency strategies for critical sites, safeguarding people and assets.
• Deliver Capital Projects: Oversee the commissioning of major projects, ensuring asset data integrity and operational readiness for long-term success.
• Transform Culture: Lead the shift to a coordinated, planned approach to operations and maintenance, inspiring teams to think strategically and embrace change.
• Empower Your Team: Motivate and develop talent through coaching, training, and performance reviews, building a highly skilled workforce ready for future challenges.
• Innovate for Efficiency: Identify opportunities for cost savings and operational optimisation, ensuring compliance and reliability across all assets.
• Share Expertise: Collaborate with fellow County System Performance Managers to share best practices and drive consistency across the region.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Demonstrates success in a senior role where you’ve influenced at all levels, built trust, and delivered results in a complex, high-profile environment.
• Ability to translate long-term business objectives into actionable plans, balancing operational priorities with financial performance and regulatory compliance.
• Strong understanding of operating within a regulated industry, with the ability to navigate legislative frameworks and ensure compliance.
• Skilled in motivating, developing, and performance-managing large teams to achieve their best, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Committed to delivering outstanding service and improving customer experience measures through proactive planning and operational excellence.
• High-level capability in managing budgets, controlling costs, and achieving financial targets without compromising quality or compliance.
• Advanced ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and implement innovative solutions to technical, financial, and operational challenges.
• Strong short- and long-term planning skills to manage day-to-day operations while shaping the future of county performance.
• Ideally degree-qualified and a member of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIWEM or IWO), or equivalent experience demonstrating expertise and authority.

About Us

Salary - Competitive Salary
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location - Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works, Trafford Way, Urmston, Manchester, M17 8DD
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
• Car cash allowance - £5,000
• Up to 20% 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

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.