Senior Project Manager Regulation & Compliance in Cheshire, Warrington

Location: Warrington (Hybrid 3 days per week onsite)

Employer: United Utilities

Shape the future of water for the North West. At United Utilities, our purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West. As a FTSE 100 organisation serving millions of customers every day, we’re committed to protecting the environment, supporting the regional economy and creating long‑term value for our communities.

The role

We’re looking for a Senior Project Manager (Regulation & Compliance) to play pivotal roles in delivering some of the most strategically important programmes in the business. This is a chance to work at the heart of a highly regulated industry, shaping submissions and programmes that influence the future of water services across the region. We are expanding our team in response to a shifting regulatory landscape, with Ofwat introducing new reopener submission requirements that drive an increased need for robust planning and expert programme delivery.

You’ll lead complex, multi‑strand projects including major regulatory submissions such as Price Review, WRMP, DWMP, DRMP and other high‑profile regulatory deliverables. This is not an IT or construction PM role; it’s a unique opportunity for someone who thrives in regulatory environments, can navigate ambiguity, and enjoys bringing structure, governance and clarity to large, multi‑disciplinary programmes.

What you’ll be doing

• Define, plan and deliver multiple strategic projects to agreed time, cost and quality standards.
• Own project plans end‑to‑end, managing change, risk and dependencies with confidence.
• Ensure governance is followed and decision‑makers have the right information at the right time.

Regulatory Programme Management

• Lead the planning and delivery of regulatory submissions (e.g., Price Review, WRMP, DWMP, DRMP).
• Coordinate large groups of contributors and high volumes of stakeholders, ensuring alignment, quality and timely delivery.
• Prepare and quality‑assure documentation for regulators, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Stakeholder & Team Leadership

• Build strong relationships with internal teams, senior leaders and regulatory bodies.
• Provide matrix leadership across cross‑functional teams, ensuring clarity, accountability and momentum.
• Communicate progress, risks and issues with confidence and clarity.

Assurance, Governance & Compliance

• Apply recognised project methodologies (PRINCE2, APM or equivalent).
• Lead assurance activities to ensure deliverables meet regulatory and internal standards.
• Drive consistency of approach across the business, embedding best practice.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone who can operate at pace in a complex, regulated environment and is structured, resilient and able to bring clarity where there is ambiguity. You’ll ideally have:

• PRINCE2, APM or equivalent experience (or commitment to achieve).
• A strong track record delivering large, multi‑disciplinary projects in regulated environments.
• Experience working with sensitive or confidential information.
• Understanding of business analysis tools and how to apply them to complex problems.
• Experience in audit, assurance or governance within regulatory programmes.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to engage and coordinate cross‑functional teams to deliver high‑quality outcomes.
• Flexibility, resilience and adaptability essential to thrive in a fast‑moving regulatory landscape.

Experience from sectors such as utilities, telecoms, energy, transport, government or other regulated industries would be highly beneficial.

Why Join Us?

• 26 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service) + 8 bank holidays
• Up to 14% employer pension contribution
• Performance‑related bonus (up to 10.5%)
• Company‑funded healthcare plan
• Discounts on gyms, wellness apps, EV schemes and more
• Enhanced parental leave
• A culture that supports growth, wellbeing and flexibility

Ready to shape the future of water? If you’re a confident, structured and collaborative project leader with experience in regulated environments and you’re excited by the idea of influencing major programmes that shape the future of the North West, we’d love to hear from you.