Job Description
Business Interface Manager – HARP Programme
Lingley Mere Warrington
Hybrid (3 office days per week)
Full time
Salary competitive
United Utilities | FTSE 100 | £3bn Landmark Infrastructure Programme
Join United Utilities at a pivotal moment in UK water engineering. We’re delivering the Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP) a once in a generation scheme to upgrade the 110km aqueduct that supplies clean, reliable drinking water to 2.5 million people across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria.
Given the strategic importance of the aqueduct, United Utilities must maintain a robust, well‑governed and highly coordinated interface with their appointed delivery partner (CAP) across design, construction, operations, land, regulatory and financial domains.
The Business Interface Manager will report into the HARP Head of Programme Delivery to ensure all critical touchpoints between UU and the CAP are established, aligned and operating effectively. You will be central to ensuring UU meets its obligations under the Project Agreement and that the programme is delivered efficiently, safely and with minimal risk of delay or claims. You will also lead the HARP central support team and ensure alignment across all business interface workstreams to help us to build a stronger, greener, healthier North West.
Why Join United Utilities?
Be part of an organisation that’s strengthening, greening and modernising the North West, backed by the stability and ambition of a FTSE 100 company. We offer:
* 26 days’ holiday + bank holidays (rising to 30)
* Up to 14% employer pension contribution
* Up to 20% performance‑related bonus + recognition awards
* Company‑funded private healthcare
* £5,000 car allowance
* The chance to influence a nationally significant infrastructure programme with long‑term environmental and economic impact
This is a rare opportunity to shape a major infrastructure legacy that will protect water supplies, support economic growth and transform how the water industry delivers complex capital programmes.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead programme management, governance and assurance across HARP
* Coordinate UU’s operational, capital and outage readiness for new infrastructure
* Manage regulatory and stakeholder relationships, including Ofwat and the ITA
* Oversee land access, statutory powers and compensation processes
* Lead delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain plans
* Establish processes for payments, reporting and CAP interactions
* Drive strategic risk management and cross‑workstream issue resolution
About You
* Educated to degree level or equivalent industry experience
* Proven experience delivering complex capital delivery programmes in environments with high uncertainty and multiple stakeholders.
* Experience with construction contracts and commercial delivery models.
* Strong strategic thinking with the ability to work cross functionally and conceptualise collaborative solutions.
* Demonstrable programme and project management expertise.
* Exceptional communication, influencing and negotiation skills at senior levels.
* Strong financial planning and budget management capability.
* Experience working within or alongside regulatory frameworks.
* Logical, analytical problem solving approach with the ability to simplify complexity.
* Professional qualifications in Project/Programme Management (e.g. APM), or equivalent experience.
* Aspiring or achieved APM Chartership.
We believe diverse teams create better outcomes. If your skills align with this role, we encourage you to apply whoever you are and whatever your background.
Shortlisting for this position will take place throughout December with interviews taking place in January.