System Performance Manager

United Utilities; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Bonus up to 10.5%

Healthcare plan

Wellbeing discounts

EVolve Car Scheme

Employee Assistance Plan

Flexible benefits

Job summary

United Utilities in Manchester is seeking a System Performance Manager to drive improvements across wastewater treatment, infrastructure and operations. You will work with operational teams to identify opportunities, develop performance plans and implement enhanced monitoring and automation.

You will lead data-driven initiatives, collaborate with stakeholders and guide the organization through major incidents while embedding a proactive, end-to-end approach to system performance.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regionally.
• Experience in wastewater operations or asset performance with a track record of improvements.
• Degree or equivalent; membership of a professional institution desirable.
• Strong understanding of wastewater systems and regulatory framework.
• Ability to translate operational data into effective improvement plans.
• Strong leadership and collaboration across multiple teams.
• Experience managing performance against regulatory and financial targets.
• Analytical and proactive with data-led improvements.
• Strong planning and organisational skills.
• Passion for continuous improvement and monitoring/automation technologies.

Responsibilities

• Drive an intelligence-led approach to wastewater system performance across your area.
• Use data, analytics and monitoring tools to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Develop and deliver operational plans to improve performance, compliance and efficiency.
• Lead performance improvement initiatives across treatment, network and operations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop sustainable, long-term solutions.
• Champion a whole-system approach for end-to-end wastewater outcomes.
• Provide input into capital projects and maintenance plans.
• Support the county leadership during major incidents and events.
• Drive cultural change towards proactive, planned, data-led management.
• Lead, develop and motivate a high-performing team.

Skills

Driving licence

Wastewater operations

Leadership

Communication

Analytical

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

Data-driven

Planning

Education

Degree qualified; CIWEM/IWater desirable

Job description

The Role

We're looking for a System Performance Manager to drive performance improvements across wastewater treatment, infrastructure and non-infrastructure operations within a defined geographical area. This is a strategic and influential role where you'll work across operational teams to identify opportunities, solve complex challenges and deliver lasting improvements for customers and the environment.

Working closely with the County System Performance Manager, Treatment Delivery Manager and Network Delivery Manager, you'll help embed new ways of working, develop performance improvement plans and support the implementation of enhanced monitoring, control and automation capabilities. You'll use data, operational insight and strong stakeholder relationships to ensure the wastewater system performs at its best today while helping shape how it operates in the future.

What you'll be doing

• Driving an integrated, intelligence-led approach to wastewater system performance across your area.
• Using data, analytics and monitoring tools to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Developing and delivering operational plans that improve performance, compliance, customer outcomes and efficiency.
• Leading performance improvement initiatives across treatment, network and wider wastewater operations.
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to develop sustainable, long-term solutions.
• Championing a whole-system approach, ensuring decisions deliver the best outcomes across the end-to-end wastewater network.
• Providing technical and operational input into capital projects, maintenance programmes and future investment plans.
• Supporting the county leadership team during major incidents and operational events.
• Driving cultural change towards proactive, planned and data-led operational management.
• Leading, developing and motivating a high-performing team while fostering collaboration and sharing best practice.
• Identifying opportunities to improve asset reliability, resilience, efficiency and regulatory performance.
• Ensuring resources and investment are aligned to operational priorities and business objectives.

What we're looking for

• Full UK driving licence as regional travel is required.
• Experience in wastewater operations, asset performance or a related technical field, with a proven track record of delivering operational improvements.
• Degree qualified or equivalent experience, with membership of a relevant professional institution (such as CIWEM or IWater) desirable.
• Strong understanding of wastewater systems and the regulatory and legislative framework required to maintain compliance and operational excellence.
• Ability to translate operational data and insight into effective performance improvement plans and sustainable solutions.
• Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build relationships and drive collaboration across multiple operational teams.
• Experience managing performance against regulatory, operational and financial targets within a complex environment.
• Highly analytical, with the ability to identify trends, solve problems and implement practical improvements that deliver measurable results.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, balancing immediate operational priorities with long-term system performance objectives.
• Passion for continuous improvement, innovation and embedding new ways of working, including monitoring, control and automation technologies.

About Us

Salary - Competitive Salary
Work Type - Hybrid
Job Location - Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works, Trafford Way, Urmston, Manchester, M17 8DD
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.

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
• 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