Location: Lingley Mere, Warrington (Hybrid)
Salary: Competitive + £5,000 car allowance + bonus + excellent benefits
United Utilities keeps the North West flowing — delivering great water for a stronger, greener and healthier region. As a FTSE 100 organisation, we’re investing heavily in our network, our people and our future. This is your opportunity to play a pivotal commercial role at the heart of that mission.
We’re committed to building an inclusive, innovative workplace where people can thrive, grow and be themselves. Join us and you’ll be part of a supportive, forward‑thinking organisation that values your expertise and gives you the platform to make a real impact.
You’ll shape the performance of multi‑million‑pound frameworks that keep our water network running. You’ll influence strategic decisions, work directly with senior leaders and drive commercial outcomes that matter for our customers and our region.
Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including:
* 26 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service) + bank holidays
* Up to 14% employer pension contribution
* Up to 20% performance‑related bonus
* £5,000 annual car allowance
* Company‑funded healthcare plan
* Discounts, wellbeing support, EV scheme, ShareBuy and more
* Enhanced parental leave and flexible benefit
The Role
As a Framework Contracts Manager, you’ll be the strategic link between our Water Operations teams and the key partners delivering work across our network. You’ll take ownership of our Network Maintenance Service (NMS) framework — ensuring partners deliver high‑quality performance, meet contractual KPIs and provide outstanding value for money.
This is a role for someone who thrives on commercial challenge, senior‑level influence and operational impact. You’ll shape contract strategy, drive performance improvement and ensure our frameworks support both day‑to‑day delivery and long‑term business goals.
What you’ll lead
Strategic Contract Leadership
* Set the strategic direction for core water frameworks, identifying opportunities to enhance service, efficiency and commercial value.
* Design and embed lean, effective processes that support our wider water strategy and regulatory commitments.
* Provide clear commercial insight to senior leaders, ensuring frameworks support operational resilience and future planning.
Partner & Stakeholder Management
* Lead senior‑level relationships with framework partners, managing performance, resourcing, escalations and improvement plans.
* Work closely with internal leadership teams to define roles, responsibilities and partner‑facing processes across the network.
* Represent UU in high‑stakes discussions, ensuring alignment, accountability and delivery excellence.
Performance, Compliance & Commercial Insight
* Track and interpret key performance metrics across H&S, streetworks, workbank management and cycle times.
* Use data‑driven insight to balance competing priorities, drive compliance and optimise commercial outcomes.
* Identify opportunities to reduce operating costs, eliminate inefficiencies and strengthen value for money.
Customer & Operational Excellence
* Ensure customer‑impacting activities meet SLAs and regulatory expectations.
* Lead continuous improvement initiatives using root cause analysis and best practice.
* Champion safety, compliance and knowledge‑sharing across teams and partners.
What you’ll bring
* Experience managing outsourced service or engineering contracts, ideally in utilities or similar regulated sectors.
* Strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of contract management, end‑to‑end service delivery and business strategy.
* Confidence operating at Director/MD level, leading performance reviews and driving improvement.
* A passion for service excellence and customer outcomes, backed by strong communication and influencing skills.
* Ability to balance long‑term strategic thinking with responsive, pragmatic decision‑making.
* A track record of driving change, innovation and continuous improvement.
* Degree or equivalent professional qualification
Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
* Bachelors Degree or equivalent professional qualification
Your Impact
Every day, your decisions will help ensure our customers receive the best possible service. In return, we’ll invest in your development, support your ambitions and give you the opportunity to build a rewarding career with one of the UK’s leading utilities.
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