Controls & Governance Manager

United Utilities; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 26d

Pension 14%

Bonus 10.5%

Healthcare

Flexible/hybrid

Learning & development

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking an experienced Controls & Governance Manager to establish and lead our Transformation Management Office (TMO) Centre of Excellence. You will embed robust governance, reporting, assurance and control practices across United Utilities' transformation portfolio in Warrington.

The role is hybrid (3 days on site) with a focus on governance maturity, portfolio reporting, risk management and benefits realisation.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in PMO, Portfolio Management, Governance or Transformation Office environments.
• Proven success managing complex portfolios or large-scale transformation initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of project, programme and portfolio management frameworks (PRINCE2, MSP, MoP or P3O).
• Excellent governance, reporting, planning and controls experience.
• Strong stakeholder management with the ability to influence at senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve TMO frameworks, standards, tools and processes.
• Establish and maintain portfolio governance, controls and assurance.
• Oversee portfolio reporting, executive dashboards, KPIs and performance insights.
• Support investment governance, business cases and benefits realisation.
• Manage portfolio risks, issues and dependencies with visibility across programmes.
• Facilitate quality gates, health checks and assurance reviews.
• Drive compliance with delivery standards, methodologies and change controls.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to improve delivery performance and governance maturity.
• Lead and develop a team of PMO professionals.

Skills

PMO experience

Governance

Stakeholder management

Data-driven reporting

Planview/MS Project/Power BI

Tools

Planview

MS Project Online

Clarity PPM

Smartsheet

Power BI

Job description

Controls & Governance Manager

Location: Lingley Mere, Warrington
Hybrid: 3 days per week onsite

Lead Governance Across a Portfolio of Strategic Change

We're looking for an experienced Controls & Governance Manager to establish and lead our Transformation Management Office (TMO) Centre of Excellence, ensuring robust governance, reporting, assurance and control practices are embedded across United Utilities' transformation portfolio.

This is a key leadership role, providing the visibility, oversight and insight needed to support effective decision-making and maximise the value delivered through change.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and continuously improve TMO frameworks, standards, tools and processes.
• Establish and maintain effective portfolio governance, controls and assurance.
• Oversee portfolio reporting, executive dashboards, KPIs and performance insights.
• Support investment governance, business cases and benefits realisation.
• Manage portfolio risks, issues and dependencies, ensuring visibility across programmes.
• Facilitate quality gates, health checks and assurance reviews.
• Drive compliance with delivery standards, methodologies and change controls.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to improve delivery performance and governance maturity.
• Lead and develop a team of PMO professionals.

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience within PMO, Portfolio Management, Governance or Transformation Office environments.
• Proven success supporting or managing complex portfolios, programmes or large-scale transformation initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of project, programme and portfolio management frameworks such as PRINCE2, MSP, MoP or P3O.
• Excellent governance, reporting, planning and controls experience.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and challenge at senior levels.
• Experience managing portfolio risks, issues, dependencies and benefits.
• A data-driven approach with strong analytical and reporting capability.
• Experience using PPM tools such as Planview, MS Project Online, Clarity PPM, Smartsheet or Power BI.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing teams.

• Desirable

  • PMO Management, P3O, PRINCE2, MSP or MoP qualifications.
  • Agile delivery experience or certifications.
  • Experience within utilities, infrastructure, technology, financial services or other regulated environments.
  • Experience implementing PPM tools and improving organisational delivery maturity.

What You'll Get

• 26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after four years, plus bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution (21% combined value)
• Performance-related bonus of up to 10.5%
• Comprehensive company-funded healthcare plan
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Industry-leading learning and development opportunities

Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship. Due to the anticipated high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date.