Integrated Water Management Lead (Cheshire)

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

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Pension with up to 14% employer contr.

Performance bonus

Company-funded healthcare

Enhanced parental leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted gym memberships

EV car scheme

ShareBuy scheme

Salary Finance and wellbeing

MORE Choices

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking an Integrated Water Management Lead to drive collaboration across Cheshire, delivering the region's water management strategy and fostering partnerships with authorities, landowners and environmental bodies. The role focuses on creating place-based, sustainable solutions that align with PR24 ambitions.

You will champion nature-based solutions, analyse data to identify trends, and work across internal teams to maximise environmental, social and economic value.

Qualifications

• Experience building partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Knowledge of environmental, water, planning or infrastructure sectors.
• Understanding ecosystem resilience and nature-based solutions in delivery.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Drive the Integrated Water Management strategy across Cheshire.
• Build and maintain relationships with authorities, environmental organisations and landowners.
• Identify opportunities for collaborative, partnership-led solutions.
• Manage a pipeline of partnership projects from concept to delivery.
• Ensure governance and reporting for integrated water management initiatives.
• Collaborate with WRMP, DWMP and WINEP programmes to maximise value.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Analytical skills

Data interpretation

Prioritisation

Team collaboration

Education

Degree, postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline

Tools

SharePoint

Excel

Reporting systems

Job description

What you'll do

You'll be responsible for developing and embedding an integrated approach to water management across Cheshire, creating partnerships that unlock better outcomes for people, places and the environment.

• Driving the delivery of United Utilities' Integrated Water Management strategy across the region.
• Building and maintaining influential relationships with local authorities, environmental organisations, landowners, flood risk management authorities and other key stakeholders.
• Identifying opportunities where shared objectives can be delivered through collaborative, partnership-led solutions.
• Managing and developing a pipeline of partnership projects, from concept through to delivery.
• Ensuring effective governance and reporting arrangements are in place for integrated water management initiatives.
• Working closely with colleagues responsible for the WRMP, DWMP and WINEP programmes to maximise environmental, social and economic value.
• Championing nature-based solutions and sustainable approaches that strengthen ecosystem resilience.
• Tracking and demonstrating the benefits delivered through integrated water management projects and partnerships.

About you

You'll be a collaborative and influential professional who enjoys bringing people together to solve complex challenges.

You'll also bring:

• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders and building successful partnerships.
• Strong communication and relationship-management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Knowledge of environmental, water, planning or infrastructure sectors.
• An understanding of the role ecosystem resilience and nature-based solutions play in delivering sustainable outcomes.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data, identify trends and translate insight into action.
• Experience managing competing priorities and delivering outcomes in a complex environment.
• Good knowledge of tools such as SharePoint, Excel and reporting systems.
• Awareness of key industry frameworks including WINEP, WRMP and DWMP.

Qualifications

Degree, postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline.

Why United Utilities?

At UU, you'll have the opportunity to work on projects that genuinely improve lives across the North West while developing your own career in a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

Our benefits include

• 26 days annual leave, rising to 30 days with service, plus bank holidays.
• Market-leading pension with up to 14% employer contribution (21% combined).
• Annual performance bonus of up to 10.5%.
• Company-funded healthcare plan.
• Enhanced parental leave policies.
• Employee Assistance Programme and mental health support.
• Discounted gym memberships and wellbeing benefits.
• EV car scheme.
• ShareBuy scheme.
• Salary Finance and financial wellbeing support.
• Flexible benefits through MORE Choices.

Location: Lingley Mere, Warrington (Hybrid)

Region: Cheshire (regular travel across the region required)

Salary: Competitive + bonus + outstanding benefits

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time (37 hours per week)

Shape the future of water management across Cheshire at United Utilities, our purpose is simple: delivering great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West. As we embark on one of the most ambitious investment programmes in our history, we're looking for an Integrated Water Management Lead to drive collaboration, influence strategic planning and help create sustainable solutions that deliver lasting benefits for customers, communities and the environment. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in delivering our PR24 ambitions by bringing together partners from across the public, private and environmental sectors to develop innovative, place-based approaches to water management.

If you're passionate about environmental