Capital Liaison Manager

United Utilities; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 26 days

Pension up to 14%

Performance bonus up to 10.5%

Healthcare plan

EVolve Car Scheme

Employee Assistance Plan

Discounts

Job summary

United Utilities seeks a Capital Liaison Manager to act as the essential operational link between project teams, contractors and senior stakeholders across the capital delivery programme in the Manchester area. You will lead a team to ensure delivery is safe, on time and within budget while upholding quality and regulatory standards.

You will identify risks, drive continuous improvement, embed best practices, and coordinate across regional delivery and wastewater operations to align operational

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in 24/7 service environments.
• Solid knowledge of regulatory frameworks within the water sector.
• Strong data analysis and judgement for escalation decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a programme of capital projects in wastewater services.
• Direct project coordinators to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Identify opportunities to deliver wider performance benefits through the programme.
• Represent wastewater operations at key project milestones and liaise with stakeholders.
• Provide regulatory knowledge to support decision making and governance.

Skills

Leadership

Ops & Maintenance

Communication

Regulatory Knowledge

Analytics & Problem Solving

Commercial Acumen

Matrix Team Leadership

Job description

The Role

Are you ready to be at the forefront of operational excellence in capital projects?

We’re seeking a dynamic Capital Liaison Manager who will serve as the essential operational liaison with our Capital Delivery Programme. In this pivotal role, you’ll lead a dedicated team, ensuring seamless coordination, governance, and integration across multiple capital projects.

You’ll be responsible for translating strategic objectives into effective on-the-ground delivery, acting as the critical link between project teams, contractors, and senior stakeholders. By providing clear direction, oversight, and performance management, you’ll ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget, while meeting quality and regulatory standards.

This role will see you proactively identifying risks and dependencies, resolving issues before they escalation, and driving continuous improvement in delivery practices. You’ll play a key part in shaping delivery methodologies, embedding best practice, and fostering strong collaborative relationships across the organisation.

Ultimately, you’ll enable alignment between operational delivery and long-term investment ambitions—making a tangible impact on the success of our capital programme and the outcomes it delivers for our customers and communities.

Role Accountabilities

• To support the effective delivery of a programme of capital Projects in Wastewater Services, delivered by the CEC teams
• To lead the project co-ordinators to ensure the successful delivery of the capital programme within the county
• Identify opportunities to delivery wider performance benefit through the capital programme.
• To be the key representative of UU wastewater operations at all key stages throughout all stages of the programme and project lifecycle.
• To liaise and influence a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• To provide operational and regulatory knowledge and expertise supporting key decision making at required project milestones.
• To interface with the Regional Delivery Teams, SST and contractors ensuring operational and regulatory outputs are delivered to time, cost and quality requirements.
• To ensure that coordinate and facilitate site and management level interfaces with wastewater operations, ensuring engagement and mutually beneficial work practices are established between UU and CDP / contractor.
• To ensure effective co-ordination of all activities associated with the capital programme within the county.
• Working with the Regional Delivery Manager and Wastewater operations teams to identify where operational support is required and support accordingly
• Working with the Strategic Asset Manager, Risk Manager and Wastewater Catchment manager to ensure project and programmes deliver the required output.
• To ensure successful commissioning, takeover and handover of capital projects within the county.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Managerial & Leadership Skills: Critical for delivering performance through teams, with the ability to motivate and drive high performance across a 24/7 service environment.
• Operational & Maintenance Knowledge: Demonstrable experience in the operation, maintenance and optimisation of treatment processes and assets.
• Communication Skills: Effective written and verbal communication, with the ability to liaise confidently with internal and external stakeholders.
• Regulatory & Legislation: Solid knowledge of the regulatory & legislative frameworks within the water sector.
• Analytical & Problem Solving: Strong ability to problem solve and manipulate data with a sound judgement of when to escal.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong commercial & business awareness, delivering targets within resource constraints.
• Managing matric teams: Demonstrable experience in leading indirect teams, achieving results through influence as well as authority.

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
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location - Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works, Trafford Way, Urmston, Manchester, M17 8DD
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours -

United Utilities’ 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.