Strategic Land Development Manager

The role:

To play a key role in shaping the long-term strategic direction of the estate.

To develop land-use strategies, policies and programmes that maximise environmental, operational, social and commercial value.

To lead strategic analyses, identify land opportunities, create business cases, influence internal and external stakeholders, and support the development of multi-year programmes aligned to the Land Strategy and the Recreation–Regenerate–Optimise framework.

To work collaboratively across the business and with external partners to unlock value from land through natural capital, farming reform, recreation enhancement, land optimisation, and high-value commercial opportunities such as renewable energy and battery storage — ensuring all proposals protect water resources, heritage, habitats and community relationships.

What you'll be doing:

Strategic Land Planning & Policy Development

• Lead the development, evolution and implementation of the United Utilities Land Strategy.
• Produce long-term strategic plans for land use across recreation, farming, biodiversity, woodland, peatland, commercial development, and natural capital.
• Ensure land strategy aligns with corporate priorities, PR29/PR34 requirements, and AMP8/AMP9 planning.

Opportunity Identification & Strategic Analysis

• Identify and evaluate opportunities across the estate, including recreation potential, nature recovery, natural capital schemes, agricultural transformation, renewable energy and surplus land.
• Use spatial, commercial and environmental data to inform decision-making.
• Develop option appraisals, prioritisation frameworks, and land opportunity maps.

Programme Development & Business Case Creation

• Translate strategic ideas into structured programmes with financial models, risks, milestones and delivery routes.
• Develop business cases for investment in land-based programmes including recreation, farming, environment and commercial opportunities.
• Provide strategic input into PR29 submissions and long-term regulatory planning.

Governance & Cross-Business Collaboration

• Work closely with Land, Property, Sustainability, A&R, Catchment, Operations, Legal, Finance and Corporate Affairs teams.
• Establish consistent governance pathways for land proposals.
• Represent land strategy in internal committees, steering groups and panels.

External Stakeholder Engagement & Influence

• Build trusted relationships with Natural England, the Environment Agency, National Parks, AONBs, local authorities, catchment partnerships, NGOs and land sector partners.
• Represent UU’s interests in strategic land discussions and negotiations.
• Scan external policy, regulatory changes and market trends to identify risks and opportunities.

Research, Insight & Evidence Development

• Lead research into natural capital markets, BNG, carbon opportunities, regenerative farming, access models and new land use approaches.
• Benchmark against organisations such as Forestry England, National Trust, Severn Trent and Welsh Water.
• Produce insight reports, strategic papers and recommendations for senior leadership.

Strategic Risk Management

• Identify long-term risks to land use, water quality, regulatory compliance, community acceptance, environmental resilience and visitor pressures.
• Develop mitigation strategies and integrate land risk thinking into wider business planning.

Supporting Delivery & Organisational Change

• Work with delivery teams to ensure strategies are practical, land-ready and supportable by local operations.
• Provide frameworks, principles and guidance to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery of land programmes.
• Support culture change in land management practices where required.

Maximising Strategic Commercial Opportunities

• Lead the identification, assessment and prioritisation of high-value commercial opportunities on UU land, including battery energy storage systems (BESS), onshore wind, solar PV, hydrogen / energy hubs, data centres and digital infrastructure, telecoms, fibre and mast expansion, grid connections and substations, EV charging hubs and mobility sites.
• Evaluate commercial models including leases, revenue share, partnerships and long-term licence arrangements.
• Conduct land constraints mapping, early feasibility assessments and due diligence to ensure proposals are viable.
• Work with Property, Energy, Legal, Finance and Engineering to secure the best long-term value from land assets while protecting water, environment and community interests.
• Manage and prioritise enquiries from developers, ensuring UU responds strategically rather than reactively.
• Build and maintain a commercial land opportunity pipeline aligned with the Optimise pillar of the Land Strategy.
• Ensure all proposals support UU’s Net Zero plans, environmental frameworks and planning requirements

What we're looking for:

Essential

• Strong background in land strategy, rural estate management, environmental planning or land policy.
• Experience developing strategic land programmes, business cases or land-use plans.
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to interpret spatial, environmental, commercial and regulatory data.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of land law, access rights, planning frameworks, agricultural policy and environmental regulation.
• Experience working across multidisciplinary teams and complex stakeholder landscapes.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with ability to prepare high-quality strategy documents.

Desirable

• Experience with renewable energy, battery storage, solar, wind or major land-based commercial developments.
• Background as a land agent, land strategist, environmental planner or rural policy professional.
• Knowledge of natural capital valuation, carbon markets and ecosystem service models.
• Experience working with National Parks, AONBs, protected landscapes or heritage estates.
• Awareness of water industry regulatory cycles (AMP/PR).

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong judgement and a long-term perspective.
• Analytical, structured and detail-focused.
• Collaborative, influential and comfortable working across organisational boundaries.
• Proactive and solutions-focused, able to turn ideas into deliverable plans.
• Passionate about landscapes, nature, sustainable land use and public value.
• Comfortable managing ambiguity and shaping structure from complex challenges.

What we offer:

• 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 7.5% 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

Salary - Competitive Salary
Work Type - Hybrid
Job Location - Lingley Mere, Lingley Green Avenue, Warrington, WA5 3YR, United Kingdom
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.

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.