Key Takeaways
- 3-year Graduate Programme in Operational Future Leadership roles.
- Starting salary of at least £32,250 per annum, with an annual pay review and a £2,000 joining bonus.
- Gain experience across various operational areas including Treatment, Network Operations, and the Integrated Control Centre.
- Requires a minimum 2:1 (or 2:2 with Masters) in a technical, scientific, environmental, engineering, or business management degree.
- Locations include Warrington, Manchester, and Fazakerley, with an application deadline of 21st October 2026.
About the Role
Join our 3-year Graduate Programme at United Utilities as an Operational Future Leader and become an integral part of our innovative Operational teams across the North West region.
This scheme is for those who are looking to develop into key leadership roles within our operational teams, managing treatment works or networks and the teams responsible for providing water, wastewater and bioresource services, or operating within an Integrated Control Centre to coordinate real-time operational performance and incident response.
United Utilities operates across five counties, and as part of the scheme, you’ll gain exposure to these diverse areas by working both on site and in an office setting. Our headquarters is based in Warrington.
What You'll Do Day-to-Day
The scheme offers fantastic learning and development opportunities through structured placements, formal leadership training, creative innovation challenges and a robust support network.
You’ll undertake structured placements across various areas like Treatment and Network Operations, County System Performance, Risk Management and our Central Integrated Control Centre.
You will develop an understanding of how an Integrated Control Centre coordinates operational activity across the region, building the knowledge and decision-making skills needed to become a future operational leader.
You will develop excellent communication, leadership, and change management skills, motivating teams to improve performance and meet high service standards.
You’ll learn to think strategically to drive the organisation’s growth.
What You'll Bring
- A minimum 2:1 (or 2:2 with Masters) in any relevant technical, scientific, environmental, engineering or business management degree.
- Motivation, enthusiasm, and the potential to develop excellent leadership, influencing and communications skills.
- Good written and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent team player, possessing ambition and drive.
- Ability to work across a matrix organisation to deliver desired outcomes.
- Willingness to work in a variety of different teams from site to office based and travel to multiple locations in the North West.
- Flexibility with working hours at times.
- A full UK Driving licence when the scheme starts (Sep 2027).
Benefits
- Starting salary of at least £32,250 + £2,000 welcome bonus.
- Annual pay increase and bonus (subject to performance).
- 26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 4 years + bank holidays.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave policies.
- Up to 14% employer pension contribution.
- Access to colleague wellbeing programmes and dedicated mentors.
- Up to £500 towards driving lessons and tests.
Key Dates & Locations
- Locations: Warrington, Manchester, Fazakerley.
- Application deadline: 21st October 2026.
- Assessment centre: 17th November – 11th December.
- Scheme start: September 2027.
Important Information
- This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
- Please apply for only one Graduate role per recruitment year.
- The recruitment process includes an online application form, online tests, and an assessment centre.