Head of County Operations Performance

Overview

Lead a cross-functional team to improve county water operations planning, performance and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• team leadership
• process improvement
• regulatory compliance
• performance monitoring
• financial planning
• strategic planning

Tasks

-Provide day-to-day leadership as part of the County Business Leader’s management team, inspiring the System Performance team to uphold company values, culture, and reputation. -Influence across functions in a matrix environment to drive efficiency, embed smarter ways of working, and improve overall system performance. -Maintain a high level of understanding of the regulatory and legislative framework surrounding water/wastewater operations, with awareness of broader business issues. -Apply well-developed analytical skills to identify, develop, and implement solutions to a wide range of financial, technical, and managerial challenges. -Collaborate closely with the Treatment and Network Delivery Managers to ensure seamless planning and execution across operational areas. -Lead and manage a team of up to 8 direct reports, with overall responsibility for 20–30 employees, fostering a high-performance culture. -Maintain a strong customer focus in all aspects of planning and delivery. -Monitor performance across the end-to-end system, identifying and leading course corrections to maintain delivery against targets. -Ensure delivery of financial plans, key performance targets, and regulatory compliance through strong managerial oversight. -Balance short-term operational needs with long-term strategic planning to ensure sustainable asset management. -Develop and deliver a coordinated strategic annual operational plan for the county, translating long-term business goals into actionable programmes aligned with regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• leadership
• financial management
• regulatory knowledge
• degree
• professional membership
• analytical

What You Bring

-Willingness and ability to work outside of normal hours, including participation in an out-of-hours rota aligned to the operational needs of the business. -A strong presence and confidence to challenge performance outcomes and influence senior stakeholders. -Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate, manage, and develop large teams. -Proven experience in a senior operational or performance-focused role, ideally within the water or wastewater sector. -High levels of managerial capability to deliver financial plans, meet performance targets, and ensure regulatory compliance. -Effective long- and short-term planning ability to manage assets and operations both day-to-day and strategically. -A full UK driving licence is required, as travel across the Northwest will be essential. -A deep understanding of the regulatory and legislative framework governing water/wastewater operations. -A degree-level qualification and membership of a relevant professional institution (e.g. CIWEM or IWO) is preferred. -Strong awareness of wider business issues across all levels of operational delivery. -Ability to lead and influence within a matrix management structure, driving performance without direct authority. -Well-developed analytical skills to solve complex financial, technical, and managerial challenges.

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Benefits

-Enhanced parental leave schemes -MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions -Employee Assistance Plan -A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme -Up to 20% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements -Salary Finance -EVolve Car Scheme -Mental health first aiders -A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover -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 -Deals and discounts -Wealth at Work courses -MORE Choices flexible benefits -Car cash allowance - £5,000

About United Utilities

-It operates across North West England, supplying drinking water and treating sewage. -The company manages vast infrastructure, including thousands of kilometers of pipelines and nearly 600 treatment works. -Typical projects include reservoir management, leak detection, and wastewater upgrades. -Specializing in water and wastewater services, infrastructure upkeep, and renewable energy generation.

Sector Specialisms