Contract Formulation Professional

United Utilities; Warrington; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Up to 14% employer pension

Up to 10.5% performance bonus

Flexible hybrid working

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking a Contract Formulation Professional to shape robust construction contracts and navigate procurement for major infrastructure programmes in the North West. You will lead sourcing and contract documentation, and guide commercial risk across cross‑functional teams.

The role requires deep NEC4 experience, tender process leadership, and strong negotiation and stakeholder management. A hybrid working pattern with significant on‑site presence is provided as part of a

Qualifications

• Extensive experience developing and managing construction contracts, with NEC4 knowledge.
• Experience running tender processes and evaluating complex submissions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Solid understanding of regulated procurement and contract law.
• Commercial negotiation and balance of risk, value and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation, development and quality assurance of sourcing and contract documentation.
• Shape contract structures, commercial terms and risk allocations for major construction and infrastructure programmes.
• Provide guidance on contract specifics, commercial risk and cross‑business impacts.
• Ensure pre‑contract activity aligns with regulatory requirements, including the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016.
• Manage end‑to‑end tendering processes: reviewing scopes, preparing data, issuing packs, evaluating bids and awarding.
• Develop commercially robust contract packages, including frameworks and works contracts.
• Ensure procurement activity is compliant and aligned with governance.
• Build relationships with Operations, Engineering, Finance, Legal and Regulatory Procurement.
• Act as first point of contact for contract‑related queries within your category.
• Influence suppliers and contractors, promoting best‑practice commercial behaviours.

Skills

Contract formulation

Construction contracts

NEC4

Tender management

Procurement law

Stakeholder management

Commercial negotiation

Job description

Job number UU04596 Country United Kingdom Region Cheshire West and Chester Location name Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP Posting End Date 04/09/2026 Band 4b Role Type Permanent Work hours 37 Hours per Week Salary Competitive Salary

Location: Lingley Mere, Warrington

Salary: Competitive + Annual Bonus

About us

At United Utilities, our purpose is simple but powerful — to delivergreat waterfor a stronger,greenerand healthierNorth West .We’rea FTSE 100 organisation with a bold vision, a commitment to sustainability, and a culture where people can grow, innovate and truly make an impact.

We value diversity,inclusionand fresh thinking. Whetheryou’recollaborating with experts across the business or shaping major infrastructure programmes,you’llfind a supportive environment where yourexpertiseis recognised and your contribution matters.

And yes — we offer a fantastic benefits package too.

Why this role matters

We’reentering a major period of growth and transformation, and our Commercial function is expanding to support some of the largest and most ambitious construction and infrastructure programmes in the region .

We’relooking for a Contract Formulation Professional — someone who thrives on shaping robust, commercially sound construction contracts, navigating complex procurement landscapes, and ensuring our major projects start on the strongest possible footing.

If you have deep experience in construction contracts , pre ‑ contractdevelopment , commercial risk , and especially NEC4 , this is your opportunity to influence projects that deliverrealenvironmental and societal value.

WhatYou’llBe Doing

• Lead the creation, development and quality assurance of sourcing and contract documentation.
• Shape contract structures, commercial terms and risk allocations for major construction and infrastructure programmes.
• Provideexpert guidance on contract specifics, commercial risk andcross‑businessimpacts.
• Ensure allpre‑contractactivity aligns with regulatory requirements, including the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016.
• Manageend‑to‑endtendering processes: reviewing scopes, preparing contract data, issuing tender packs, managing queries, evaluatingbidsand recommending awards.
• Develop commercially robust contract packages, including clustered frameworks andone‑offworks contracts.
• Ensure procurement activity is compliant,transparentand aligned with internal governance.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams including Operations, Engineering, Finance, Legal and Regulatory Procurement.
• Act as the first point of contact forcontract‑relatedqueries within your category.
• Influence suppliers and contractors, promotingbest‑practicecommercial behaviours and protecting UU’s interests.

Commercial Assurance & Risk Management

• Identify,assessand mitigate commercial and contractual risks.
• Maintain effective contract and supplier relationship management.
• Support the business in managing commercial claims, working closely with UU Legal.
• Ensure all documentation, decisions and audit trails are complete and compliant.

WhatYou’llBring

We’relooking for someone with strong contract formulation experience , ideally within construction or infrastructure environments.

• Significant experiencedeveloping and managing construction contracts , with strong working knowledge of NEC4 (highly desirable).
• Experience running tender processes and evaluating complex technical and commercial submissions.
• Strong communicationand stakeholder management skills — able to influence, challenge and collaborate effectively.
• A solid understanding of regulated procurement and contract law.
• Commercial negotiation skills and the ability to balance risk,valueand compliance.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.The ability to manage competing priorities andoperateconfidently in a fast ‑ moveningvironment.

(No QS degreerequired— we welcome applicants from a wide range of commercial, procurement, contractmanagementor construction backgrounds.)

WhatYou’llGet in Return

• 26 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service) plus bank holidays
• Up to 14% employer pension contribution
• Up to 10.5%performance ‑ relatedbonus
• Flexible hybrid working (typically 3 days on site)
• A supportive environment where yourexpertiseshapesreal ‑ worldoutcomes

Impact

Ready to Shape the Future of Construction Contracting in theNorth West?

Ifyou’repassionate about building strong,resilientand commercially robust contracts — and want to play a key role in major infrastructure programmes —we’dlove to hear from you.

Join us and help deliver a greener, stronger future for theNorth West.