Head of Transformation Management Office

United Utilities; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utility provider seeks a Head of Transformation Management Office to lead the strategic oversight of transformation initiatives. This pivotal role involves managing a diverse project portfolio to drive organizational change, ensuring robust governance, and building business capabilities while fostering a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave package

Competitive pension scheme

Performance-related bonus scheme

Comprehensive healthcare plan

Gym and wellness benefits

Employee Assistance Plan

Mental health first aiders

Enhanced parental leave schemes

Qualifications

• Significant experience in leading change functions.
• Deep understanding of programme governance and delivery models.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the Transformation Management Office model.
• Oversee business readiness strategies and user impact assessments.
• Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Change Portfolio Management

Strategic Planning

Project Planning Tools

Team Leadership

Education

Experience in regulated sectors

Leadership in digital transformation

Tools

MS Project

Planview

Job description

Head of Transformation Management Office

Job number UU02991 Country United Kingdom Region Cheshire West and Chester Location name Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP Posting End Date 18/06/2025 Band 3 Role Type Permanent Work hours 37 Hours per Week Salary Competitive

"Salary - Competitive
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."

• 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 20% 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
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Job Purpose

We are excited to share the set up of a central transformation function to support change and transformation activities across United Utilities to aid our stronger, greener, healthier North West strategy. An evolving pipeline of projects has opened up an opportunity for a Head of Transformation and Change to lead the strategic oversight and delivery of the Transformation Management Office, enabling the successful delivery of change across the organisation. This role ensures robust governance, prioritisation, planning, and performance across a diverse change portfolio and offers an exciting opportunity to make a real impact by bringing together a cohesive and integrated operating model that drives transformation outcomes, accelerates delivery, and builds organisational capability.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Define, lead, and embed a Transformation Management Office model that supports the execution of strategic change aligned to corporate goals
• Own and ensures that appropriate governance, decision-making frameworks, and standards are in place across all change activity
• Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team covering Business Change, Business Analysis, PMO and Resource Management
• Drive clarity of roles, responsibilities, and ways of working across change functions, ensuring integration with wider business units

Business Change & Readiness

• Oversee the design and delivery of business readiness strategies that maximise adoption and embedment of new processes, systems, and behaviours
• Ensure user impact assessments, training, communications and sustainment plans are effectively delivered
• Provide consistent frameworks to support strategic portfolio, delivery and resource planning, including robust business case development
• Monitor delivery milestones, progress, and resource allocation across the strategic portfolio, escalating risks and opportunities as needed

Stakeholder Engagement – Strategic Portfolio

• Act as a trusted partner to senior leaders across the business, challenge, and assurance on transformation delivery
• Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships to ensure change is well coordinated and owned across departments

Technical Skills & Experience

• Significant experience leading a Portfolio Office or similar change function in a complex organisation
• Deep understanding of change portfolio management, business change, programme governance and delivery models
• Proficient use of project planning and reporting tools, including MS Project/P6/Planview.
• Leading multidisciplinary teams across Business Change, PMO and Business Analysis
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with the ability to balance short-term delivery and long-term capability building
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, including engagement with Executive and Board level
• Experience in managing large-scale change portfolios, resource planning, benefits realisation, and performance reporting

Qualifications

• Experience in regulated, customer-focused sectors such as utilities, financial services, retail, or public sector
• Leading and/or managing digital and data-enabled transformation initiatives with a strong understanding of DDaT capabilities
• Experience setting up or transforming portfolio/change functions

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.