Maintenance Team Leader in Blackburn

We’re looking for a hands-on, people-focused Maintenance Team Leader to join our team and play a vital role in keeping our operations running smoothly, safely and efficiently. In this frontline leadership position, you’ll take the lead on all things maintenance and operational support. You’ll manage and motivate a multi-disciplined team of engineers and contractors, fostering a culture of accountability, high performance, and collaboration. From planned preventative maintenance to responding swiftly to the unexpected, you’ll be the steady hand ensuring our equipment and systems remain safe, reliable and compliant.

With Samlesbury as your base and regular travel to sites across the region, you’ll be fully embedded in day-to-day operations—collaborating with your team, solving problems in real time, and keeping things moving. You’ll have the freedom to lead from the front while staying connected to the people and equipment that keep our services running.

• Lead & develop a team of multi-skilled engineers and contractors across multiple sites.
• Take ownership of maintenance planning, delivery, and performance to ensure safety, efficiency and compliance.
• Drive a proactive maintenance culture through continuous improvement and effective root cause analysis.
• Support operational teams by ensuring critical equipment and systems are performing reliably.
• Manage risk through effective prioritisation of work, safe systems of work, and ongoing site assessments.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, contractors, and stakeholders to deliver service excellence.
• Monitor and report on KPI’s using data to inform resolutions and drive improvements.
• Ensure high standards of documentation, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance across all activities.
• Promote a strong health & safety culture, always championing safe working practices.

• A full driving license is essential due to the regional nature of the role.
• A recognised engineering qualification (electrical, mechanical or instrumentation) with a strong foundation in maintenance or engineering, combined with a confident, supportive leadership style.
• Clear technical know-how, with the ability to oversee complex repairs, lead fault-finding and offer practical, calm solutions in the moment.
• A commitment to continuous improvement—you naturally look for ways to streamline processes, boost team performance and ensure equipment runs safely and reliably.
• A strong understanding of health, safety and compliance standards, with the ability to embed a positive and proactive safety culture across the team.
• Strong communication and organisational skills—you’re confident building relationships at all levels and balancing competing priorities across different locations.

This role may not be eligible for visa sponsorship.

• 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.
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover.
• Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements.
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme.
• MyGym Discounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions.
• Best Doctors, Salary Finance, Wealth at Work courses, Deals and discounts, EVolve Car Scheme, Employee Assistance Plan, Mental health first aiders.
• Share Buy MORE Choices flexible benefits, Enhanced parental leave schemes.

Salary - £48,979
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location - Blackburn waste water treatment works, Cuerdale Lane Samlesbury Blackburn Lancashire PR5 0UY
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society. We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves. We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution. We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.