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- Tasks: Lead strategic contracts and enhance service efficiency in water operations.
- Company: Join United Utilities, a FTSE 100 company committed to sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and extensive benefits package.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water services while shaping commercial strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management and strong commercial acumen required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Lingley Mere, Warrington (Hybrid)
Salary: Competitive + GBP5,000 car allowance + bonus + excellent benefits
Contract: Permanent, Full-time (37 hours)
United Utilities keeps the North West flowing - delivering great water for a stronger, greener and healthier region. As a FTSE 100 organisation, we’re investing heavily in our network, our people and our future. This is your opportunity to play a pivotal commercial role at the heart of that mission. We’re committed to building an inclusive, innovative workplace where people can thrive, grow and be themselves. Join us and you’ll be part of a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values your expertise and gives you the platform to make a real impact.
Why join us? You’ll shape the performance of multi-million-pound frameworks that keep our water network running. You’ll influence strategic decisions, work directly with senior leaders and drive commercial outcomes that matter for our customers and our region. Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including:
- 26 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service) + bank holidays
- Up to 14% employer pension contribution
- Up to 20% performance-related bonus
- GBP5,000 annual car allowance
- Company-funded healthcare plan
- Discounts, wellbeing support, EV scheme, ShareBuy and more
- Enhanced parental leave and flexible benefit
The Role: As a Framework Contracts Manager, you’ll be the strategic link between our Water Operations teams and the key partners delivering work across our network. You’ll take ownership of our Network Maintenance Service (NMS) framework - ensuring partners deliver high-quality performance, meet contractual KPIs and provide outstanding value for money. This is a role for someone who thrives on commercial challenge, senior-level influence and operational impact. You’ll shape contract strategy, drive performance improvement and ensure our frameworks support both day-to-day delivery and long-term business goals.
What you’ll lead:
- Strategic Contract Leadership: Set the strategic direction for core water frameworks, identifying opportunities to enhance service, efficiency and commercial value. Design and embed lean, effective processes that support our wider water strategy and regulatory commitments. Provide clear commercial insight to senior leaders, ensuring frameworks support operational resilience and future planning.
- Partner & Stakeholder Management: Lead senior-level relationships with framework partners, managing performance, resourcing, escalations and improvement plans. Work closely with internal leadership teams to define roles, responsibilities and partner-facing processes across the network. Represent UU in high-stakes discussions, ensuring alignment, accountability and delivery excellence.
- Performance, Compliance & Commercial Insight: Track and interpret key performance metrics across H&S, streetworks, workbank management and cycle times. Use data-driven insight to balance competing priorities, drive compliance and optimise commercial outcomes. Identify opportunities to reduce operating costs, eliminate inefficiencies and strengthen value for money.
- Customer & Operational Excellence: Ensure customer-impacting activities meet SLAs and regulatory expectations. Lead continuous improvement initiatives using root cause analysis and best practice. Champion safety, compliance and knowledge-sharing across teams and partners.
What you’ll bring:
- Experience managing outsourced service or engineering contracts, ideally in utilities or similar regulated sectors.
- Strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of contract management, end-to-end service delivery and business strategy.
- Confidence operating at Director/MD level, leading performance reviews and driving improvement.
- A passion for service excellence and customer outcomes, backed by strong communication and influencing skills.
- Ability to balance long-term strategic thinking with responsive, pragmatic decision-making.
- A track record of driving change, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
Essential Qualifications: Bachelors Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
Your Impact: Every day, your decisions will help ensure our customers receive the best possible service. In return, we’ll invest in your development, support your ambitions and give you the opportunity to build a rewarding career with one of the UK’s leading utilities.
Framework Contracts Manager in England employer: United Utilities
Contact Detail:
United Utilities Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Framework Contracts Manager in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups related to utilities and contract management. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Framework Contracts Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t just apply; engage! When you find a job on our website, reach out to current employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences at United Utilities and express your interest in the role. It shows initiative and can give you insider info!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and challenges. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around performance improvement and customer outcomes. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can set you apart from other candidates. It’s a simple way to keep your name fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Framework Contracts Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that are relevant to the Framework Contracts Manager role. Highlight your commercial acumen and any experience in managing outsourced service contracts, especially in utilities or regulated sectors.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance improvement and managed senior-level relationships in the past. This is your chance to show off your personality!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on quantifiable achievements. Did you reduce operating costs or improve service delivery? Numbers speak volumes, so let us know how you made an impact in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at United Utilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Utilities
✨Know Your Frameworks
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of framework contracts, especially in the utilities sector. Familiarise yourself with how they operate, key performance indicators, and what makes a successful contract. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about your experience and how it aligns with the role.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences managing outsourced service contracts. Highlight specific examples where you've driven performance improvements or enhanced commercial value. This will demonstrate your strong commercial acumen and ability to influence senior leaders effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think of situations where you've had to balance competing priorities or drive compliance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly and effectively.
✨Emphasise Stakeholder Management Skills
Since the role involves leading senior-level relationships, be ready to discuss how you've managed stakeholders in the past. Share examples of how you've navigated challenges, built trust, and ensured alignment among various parties. This will showcase your ability to represent the company in high-stakes discussions.