Risk Manager

United Utilities; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water infrastructure company is seeking an experienced Asset Manager to manage risks associated with wastewater assets. You will collaborate with various teams to prioritize and develop solutions that align with strategic goals. Candidates should have experience in asset management, strong analytical skills, and a valid UK driving license. This role offers comprehensive benefits, including a generous leave package and a competitive pension scheme.

Benefits

Generous annual leave package

Competitive pension scheme

Performance-related bonus scheme

Comprehensive healthcare plan

Gym and wellness benefit

ShareBuy

Enhanced parental leave schemes

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Risk and/or Asset Management, ideally within the water industry.
• Valid UK driving licence is essential due to travel requirements across the region.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and financial/economic appraisal skills.
• Effective communicator with the ability to build strong relationships.

Responsibilities

• Own the performance and compliance of wastewater assets across designated catchments.
• Collaborate with teams to identify, validate, and prioritise risks.
• Evaluate intervention options and recommend best-value solutions.
• Develop Requirements Statements and oversee benefits realization.
• Monitor regulatory submissions and support internal reporting.

Skills

Risk Management

Asset Management

Analytical Skills

Strategic Thinking

Communication

Education

Degree in a numerate or technical discipline

Postgraduate qualification in Asset Management

Job description

The Role

Are you ready to lead the charge in protecting and enhancing vital infrastructure across the Northwest? We're looking for a strategic thinker and collaborator to define and drive a prioritised risk management programme for our wastewater assets-balancing stakeholder expectations and delivering best-value solutions that safeguard the service we provide to millions of customers.

In this pivotal role, you'll work alongside fellow Asset Managers to ensure comprehensive coverage across all wastewater catchments, with the opportunity to lead a Risk Analyst. Acting as a key liaison for the County Business Leader, you'll engage with internal teams and external partners to ensure our assets are maintained and improved in line with strategic goals, budgets, and timelines.

This is your chance to make a lasting impact-contributing to smarter planning, stronger infrastructure, and a more resilient future for our communities.

Key Accountabilities

• Customer Service & Compliance: Own the performance and compliance of wastewater assets across designated DMZs/catchments, ensuring service delivery meets both company and regulatory standards.
• Risk Identification & Prioritisation: Collaborate with Strategy teams and Risk Analysts to identify, validate, and prioritise risks to service-balancing strategic drivers (growth, quality, legislation) with operational risks flagged through inspections, maintenance reports, and internal processes.
• Solution Development & Investment Planning: Evaluate a full range of intervention options for prioritised risks, working with Engineering teams to scope, estimate, and recommend best-value solutions. Quantify risk reduction and Whole Life Costs to support investment decisions.
• Project Sponsorship & Benefits Realisation: Develop clear Requirements Statements and Benefits Realisation Plans for approved interventions. Oversee change control during delivery and lead post-investment appraisals to confirm benefits achieved.
• Regulatory & Strategic Support: Contribute to regulatory submissions (Ofwat, EA, DWI, HSE), audits, and planning applications. Monitor non-capex interventions and support internal reporting on regulatory contract changes.
• Collaboration & Continuous Improvement: Work closely with other Asset Managers across the region to share best practices and optimise asset performance and Whole Life Costs.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in Risk and/or Asset Management, ideally within the water industry, with a strong understanding of wastewater systems, strategic planning, and investment appraisal.
• Valid UK driving licence is essential due to travel requirements across the region.
• Ideally educated to degree level in a numerate or technical discipline, with a postgraduate qualification and/or professional certification in Asset Management (e.g. IAM Certificate or Diploma) considered advantageous.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and financial/economic appraisal skills, combined with excellent planning, negotiation, and influencing capabilities.
• Effective communicator with the ability to build strong relationships and write persuasive, evidence-based recommendations for a range of stakeholders.
• A solid understanding of the UK regulatory framework and funding mechanisms (Ofwat, EA, DWI, HSE), with experience supporting regulatory submissions and audits.

Benefits

• 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
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes