Wastewater Network Regulatory & Compliance Manager

Job Description

The Role

Are you ready to play a pivotal role at the intersection of regulation, data, and operational performance? We’re looking for a Regulatory & Compliance Manager to join our Wastewater Network Technical Team, where you’ll take ownership of regulatory reporting and performance, ensuring we meet and exceed our commitments with accuracy, integrity, and insight.

This is a unique opportunity to “wear two hats” — acting as both a regulatory expert and a critical friend to operations. You’ll bring data to life, holding performance to account while guiding the business through complex regulatory frameworks and ODI requirements. If you thrive on driving compliance, influencing outcomes, and making a measurable impact, this could be the role for you.

Role Accountabilities

• Lead regulatory assurance, governance, and accuracy of wastewater network reporting, ensuring full compliance with Ofwat requirements.
• Manage and develop a team of Regulatory Compliance Specialists, overseeing ODI reviews, audits, and operational data integrity.
• Act as a key interface with internal and external stakeholders (including Economic Regulation, auditors, and industry peers) to ensure robust, best-practice reporting.
• Partner closely with Operations to challenge performance, drive ODI improvements, and support delivery of regulatory targets.
• Own regional performance monitoring, providing insight, forecasts, and executive-level reporting (e.g. EPM).
• Lead audit and assurance activities across wastewater reporting processes, ensuring adherence to standards and methodologies.
• Drive continuous improvement through policy implementation, innovation, and optimisation of systems (e.g. Salesforce, Tableau) and reporting approaches.
• Contribute to Price Reviews, regulatory submissions, and future ODI development, ensuring high-quality, accurate data outputs.
• Provide expert guidance on complex regulatory issues, acting as a first point of contact for operational teams.
• Champion data governance, automation, and best practice sharing to enhance reporting accuracy and efficiency across the business.

Essential Skills & Experience

• A full UK driving license is essential.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and drive insight-led decisions.
• Experience of regulatory environments and business planning processes.
• Proven ability to work with large, complex data sets and translate them into actionable operational improvements.
• Solid understanding of wastewater network operations and ODI performance measures.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and funding mechanisms within the water industry.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience in data modelling and using data to drive performance improvements.

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

About Us

Salary - Competitive Salary

Work Type - Hybrid

Job Location - Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP

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.