Graduate Future Leader Manchester - United Utilities : Job Details

Who are United Utilities?

United Utilities is responsible for water and wastewater services in the North West of England. From 2025-2030 we will undertake the largest investment in water and wastewater services in the North West in 100 years - that's more than £13 billion worth of projects. Now, more than ever, we need inspiring future talent to help make the North West stronger, greener, and healthier.

Whatever area of our business your interests lie in, our 3-year graduate programme will give you first-class training and support, together with an in-depth understanding of your chosen business area – so that you can develop the skills you need to progress your career as you make a real contribution to the communities we serve. You might enter our scheme as a graduate, but one thing's for sure, before long you'll be heading into your next role as a technical, operational or people leader.

Working in the North West means there's a lot of ground to cover. You could have the opportunity to work in the heart of the Lake District, or you could sample a taste of city life. As well as our main office in Warrington we also recruit for a variety of roles based across the North West; we have 575 wastewater treatment works and 96 water treatment works in areas from Crewe in Cheshire to Carlisle in Cumbria.

Whichever scheme you join, you’ll be at the heart of bringing innovation and positive change to the water industry. Ready to flow into your future with us?

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, so if you see yourself managing some of our treatment works or networks and the teams that are responsible for providing water and wastewater services to our customers, then this is the scheme for you.

At United Utilities we operate across five counties, each with its own unique needs and priorities. As part of the scheme, you’ll gain exposure to these diverse counties by working both on site and in an office setting. Alongside the county locations, our headquarters is based in Warrington, providing a central hub for regional planning and operations.

We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive culture where all team member’s contributions are valued. You will benefit from a robust support network that offers extensive learning and development opportunities. You'll gain a deep understanding of what it takes to lead one of our teams and manage our operations. This includes the operation and maintenance of our assets and the regulatory and legislative framework governing the water industry. Start living your future today!

What will I be doing?

• The scheme offers fantastic learning and development opportunities through structured placements, formal training, creative innovation challenges and a robust support network, helping you build a successful career in a major utility company.
• As an Operational Future Leader, you’ll enjoy structured placements across various areas like Treatment and Network Operations, County System Performance and our Central Integrated Control Centre, giving you a comprehensive view of our operations and preparing you to lead one of our teams.
• 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 our organisation’s growth, essential for your future success

What do I need to be successful?

We require our graduates to have a minimum 2:1 (or 2:2 with Masters) in any relevant technical, scientific, environmental, engineering or business management degree.

You will need to:

• Be motivated, enthusiastic and have the potential to develop excellent leadership, influencing and communications skills.
• Have good written and interpersonal skills.
• Be an excellent team player, possessing ambition and drive.
• Be able to have the ability to work across a matrix organisation to deliver desired outcomes.
• Be able to work in a variety of different teams from site to office based and be willing to travel to multiple locations in the North West. You may also need to be flexible with working hours at times.
• Have a full UK Drivers licence when the scheme starts (Sep 2026)
• Geographical flexibility across the North West is essential as you will need to travel to different sites (Warrington, Manchester, Blackburn, Fazakerley)

Additional Information

Our recruitment process requires you to complete:

• An Online application form
• Online tests
• MS Teams Interview
• An assessment centre, which will take place between 2nd - 5th December 2025 in Leigh, Lancashire. In person attendance is essential.

Application deadline: 13th October 2025 – please apply early as deadlines are subject to change

Based on current immigration guidelines this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship

Why choose United Utilities for your graduate journey?

Competitive Salary and Benefits: We offer a competitive starting salary of £31,250 which is reviewed each year and will increase annually throughout your graduate scheme, 26 days of annual leave (increasing to 30 days after four years), plus bank holidays. Up to £500 reimbursed towards driving lessons and test which can be backdated*. Our benefits package includes private healthcare, discounted gym membership, flexible holidays, and an award-winning pension scheme.

*subject to time restriction and providing valid receipt

Career Progression Opportunities: Our graduate scheme offers clear pathways for advancement, and structured programmes.