Graduate
Deadline was 21 Oct – may still accept applications
TL;DR
Key Takeaways
- Start your career on a 3-year graduate scheme in Planning and Environmental responsibilities.
- Earn a starting salary of at least £32,250 per annum, with a £2,000 joining bonus.
- Gain experience in environmental planning, working with stakeholders and working towards professional chartership.
- Applications close on 21st October 2026.
- Requires a minimum 2:2 in a relevant technical degree.
About the Role
As an Environmental Planning Graduate, you will provide support and collaborate with teams across the business to ensure United Utilities meets its planning and environmental responsibilities. This involves ensuring environmental objectives, policies, and standards are accounted for in project designs through to construction.
You will develop a broad range of skills by working closely with internal and external stakeholders and approval bodies across the region. You will gain detailed technical knowledge of the planning approval process and other necessary environmental consents required to support United Utilities' capital investments.
What you’ll be doing day to day:
- Taking on responsibility at an early stage across a wide variety of projects, developing an understanding of the planning system and the business on the job.
- Challenging and influencing teams to produce designs acceptable to consenting bodies, stakeholders, and customers, in line with company targets and policies.
- Working alongside business experts to help deliver projects within budget and on programme, identifying and addressing planning and consenting risks.
- Developing strong working relationships with project teams, including contractors and suppliers, and collaborating with external organisations such as planning authorities, the Environment Agency, and Natural England.
- Representing the company at community consultation events to discuss projects with the general public.
- Participating in a wider network of graduates across the business to develop a broader understanding of United Utilities and the water sector.
- Beginning the journey towards professional chartership with an appropriate body, such as the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, or the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.
What you’ll bring to the team:
- Knowledge of the environment and an awareness of key challenges, with an interest in infrastructure planning.
- A minimum 2:2 degree in a relevant technical field (e.g., Geography, Town Planning, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Earth sciences).
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) for various audiences.
- Ability to build relationships within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Proactive and independent working style.
- Effective workload prioritisation skills.
- Ability to identify risks and contribute to problem-solving.
Benefits:
- Starting salary of at least £32,250 per annum.
- £2,000 welcome bonus.
- 26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 4 years, plus 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 contribution towards driving lessons and tests.
Key Dates:
- Applications close on 21st October 2026.
- Interviews are expected to take place between 17th November and 11th December 2026.
Visa Sponsorship:
- This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship based on current immigration guidelines.