HR Manager

United Utilities; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the water sector is seeking an HR Manager to oversee HR elements of business projects. This role requires strong experience in a fast-paced, unionised environment and offers the opportunity to influence significant changes across the organization. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with stakeholders to ensure effective project delivery and compliance with employment law.

Benefits

Annual leave of 26 days, increasing to 30 days

Competitive pension scheme

Performance-related bonus scheme

Comprehensive healthcare plan

Gym and wellness benefits

Employee Assistance Plan

Enhanced parental leave schemes

Qualifications

• Experience in business change projects like TUPE transfers and restructures.
• Knowledge of employment law and working in a unionised environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee HR aspects of business projects including restructures and TUPE transfers.
• Manage consultation activities with trade union groups.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and employment legislation.

Skills

Communication

Project Management

Employment Law

Education

CIPD qualified

Job description

Job number UU02825 Country United Kingdom Region Cheshire West and Chester Location name Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP Posting End Date 30/05/2025 Band 4a Role Type Permanent Work hours 37 Hours per Week Salary Competitive

About us

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 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
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Job Purpose

Are you looking for a rewarding career that combines your knowledge of HR best practice and your passion for working on business change projects/programmes? If yes, then we have a fantastic opportunity for you at United Utilities (UU) as a HR Manager. This is an exciting and crucial role to make a real difference across the business as we step into our next huge phase of growth and transformation, known as AMP 8 in the water sector.

Reporting in to the Head of Employee relations, as a HR Manager you will be responsible for project management and delivery of the HR elements of our business projects. There will be great variety with both short and long-term projects to be managed such as TUPE transfers, changes to working practices/terms and conditions, , restructures and new ways of working across any one of our many business areas.

You will have the opportunity to support the delivery of change projects working across business areas, you will therefore need to have strong experience in a fast paced, heavily unionised environment working closely with key stakeholders through transformation and change projects.

This role is based at our Lingley Mere head office in Warrington Head Office where In-person attendance is required to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration. There may also be requirements to visit our other North West sites dependant on allocated projects.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Oversee HR aspects of business projects (owning the project plan from initiation to closure) including restructures, changes to terms and conditions, changes to working patterns, manage and oversee TUPE transfers, and establish new practices. You will plan and deliver daily/weekly project outputs, review business requirements to develop comprehensive project plans and manage risks to achieve our objectives and ensure successful delivery.
• Actively participate in HR team meetings, provide updates, advice, and guidance. Work with specialist HR functions (such as our Reward team, Training team and HRBPs) to ensure that changes are implemented effectively. You will also manage and run consultation activities, working in partnership with trade union groups.
• and manage HR work streams for key business and HR projects, ensuring timely delivery and achievement of project goals.
• Ensure all projects comply with company policies and employment legislation.
• and influence managers and trade unions, fostering good working relationships to enable the delivery of business as usual and people change project activity.
• Subject matter expert providing advice and guidance on complex HR related matters.

Technical Skills & Experience

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Knowledge of employment law and experience in business change projects and/or programmes such as TUPE transfers, restructures, reward projects, changes to T’s and C’s etc.
• Experience of working in a unionised environment either in your current role or previous employment.
• Excellent communication skills, managing relationships at all levels with the ability to influence decisions.
• Confident with HR best practice/approach and able to work under pressure, providing creative solutions to HR challenges.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• CIPD qualified or working towards.

About the Team

We have a high performing, friendly, welcoming and collaborative team that thrives in an exciting, variable and fast paced environment in an incredibly rewarding role.

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.