Senior Project Manager (Delivery Manager)

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

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Pension up to 14%

20% performance bonus

Company healthcare

Flexible and hybrid working

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking a Senior Project Manager (Delivery Manager) in Preston to lead a portfolio of capital delivery projects. You will drive delivery across the North West, focusing on safety, efficiency, and alignment with strategic objectives.

The role supports a mixed portfolio of investment programmes and requires strong stakeholder engagement with regulated bodies. You will lead cross‑functional teams, ensure governance, and collaborate with environmental planning and corporate

Qualifications

• Proven track record leading multi-discipline teams to deliver major infrastructure capital programmes (£50m+).
• Current UK/EU driving licence.
• Relevant professional qualifications (CEng MICE, CIWEM, MSP/PRINCE2, APMQ, ChPP) or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-disciplinary project teams to deliver an investment programme circa £140m.
• Ensure delivery to TCQi with end-to-end accountability.
• Maintain safety culture and compliance with governance.
• Manage relationships with stakeholders including Ofwat, EA, NGOs.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Portfolio management

UK driving licence

Education

CEng MICE

CIWEM

MSP/PRINCE2

APMQ

ChPP

Job description

Senior Project Manager (Delivery Manager)

Job number UU06372 Country United Kingdom Region Lancashire Location name North Hub Preston - The Lancashire Hub, Preston City Park, Bluebell Way, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 5PE Posting End Date 15/09/2026 Band 3 Role Type Permanent Salary competitive

The role:

As a Senior Project Manager (Delivery Manager), you will lead the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of projects within United Utilities' Capital Delivery function.

You'll be responsible for delivering complex programmes that improve critical infrastructure, reduce carbon emissions and enhance services for customers across the North West. Ready for the challenge?

Working within the Water Delivery programme, you will deliver strategic investment projects that support our operational teams and help shape the future of water services.

Key duties and responsibilities:

As a Delivery Manager, you will lead high-performing project teams to deliver safe, efficient and high-quality outcomes, ensuring projects are completed on time and aligned with United Utilities' strategic objectives, sustainability ambitions and commitment to environmental excellence. Your leadership will be pivotal in navigating dynamic situations and influencing strategies within our capital programme. Collaborating with industry experts, you will address unique challenges and drive our success, aiding UU in achieving its goals.

Stakeholder engagement is critical to success in this role. You will build and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, providing leadership, influence and expert guidance to delivery partners, contractors and regulatory bodies, including Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

• Lead multi-disciplinary teams to deliver an investment programme circa £140m
• Lead and mentor a team of project & design professionals ensuring delivery to TCQi with end to end accountability
• Ensure projects are designed and delivered in a safe manner whilst maximising efficiencies and achieving business objectives
• Develop, promote and maintain a safety culture to deliver excellent Health and Safety performance
• Develop strong relationships with the leadership team to ensure the service being offered meets the expectations
• Manage all risks and changes effectively and accelerate/mitigate where feasible Issues affecting programme / project delivery
• Develop and maintain resource plans alongside the functional leaders, ensuring appropriate resources are in place to deliver the workload
• Ensure compliance with appropriate governance
• Manage the relationship with the Supply Chain to successfully deliver projects, ensuring delivery to TCQi
• Establish and lead a direct project team and indirectly secure contributions and cooperation from other stakeholders across the business
• To manage and deliver reporting of progress against the overall programme directly to appropriate people and senior management
• To work with internal senior stakeholders and teams to ensure they are aware of and aligned to programme requirements and, simultaneously, ensure that the programme is providing sufficient support for business areas to achieve their deliverables
• To work with key internal teams such as but not limited to Environmental Planning and Innovation and Corporate Affairs to ensure appropriate interaction and identified outcomes, including NGOs, local councils, regulators and other third parties
• To ensure regular updates are provided to the appropriate governance group
• Ensure statutory approvals are being obtained and maintained
• Act as the ‘client’ representative under the CDM regulations
• Produce and manage a project management plan for each project for which the role holder is responsible

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

• A demonstrable track record of successfully leading multi-discipline teams to deliver major infrastructure capital programmes (£50m+). Within a client facing collaborative environment
• Any of the following: CEng MICE, CIWEM, MSP/PRINCE2, APMQ, ChPP, relevant qualification or equivalent skills, knowledge and experience
• Hold a current UK/EU driving licence

It would also be great if you can demonstrate any of the followingdesirablecriteria:

• Water Treatment Project Experience
• Civil Engineering or MEICA Project Experience

What we offer:

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• A 20% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working

About United Utilities:

United Utilities' (UU) mission is to deliver high-quality 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 are proud to be ranked #11 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. 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.