Metering Strategy Manager in England

United Utilities is driving one of the most ambitious modernisation and environmental improvement programmes in the UK water sector. As we strengthen, green and future‑proof the North West, we’re looking for a Metering Strategy Manager to shape the strategic direction of one of our most critical asset areas. This is a senior leadership role with significant influence across our regulatory commitments, operational performance and long‑term asset strategy. If you’re a strategic thinker with deep technical, regulatory and data expertise and you thrive in complex, high‑impact environments this is a career‑defining opportunity.

The Impact You’ll Make

As our Metering Strategy Manager, you will be accountable for the end‑to‑end strategy, performance and optimisation of metering and customer field service assets, including:

• New water connections
• Lead pipe replacement
• Meter installation, exchange and reading

You’ll lead a team of c.30 colleagues and partner resources, ensuring our metering assets perform reliably, efficiently and in line with regulatory expectations. Your work will directly contribute to key regulatory outcomes including: Smart Metering PCD, Lead Replacement ODI and D‑MeX ODI.

What You’ll Lead:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop industry‑leading asset strategies aligned with central asset strategy and economic regulation teams.
• Shape our Smart Metering strategy and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement across systems, processes and people to support our future operating model.

Operational Excellence

• Lead the Metering Control Centre (MCC) to ensure meter assets communicate and perform as required.
• Act as the single source of truth for metering data, ensuring high‑quality reporting for both regulatory and operational needs.
• Oversee performance dashboards, KPIs and operational reporting for field delivery teams.

Regulatory & External Influence

• Work closely with Ofwat, industry regulators, suppliers, trade unions and partner organisations.
• Understand and anticipate legislative, environmental and market changes that shape our strategic direction.
• Build, develop and inspire a high‑performing team, with a strong focus on succession planning.
• Play a key role within the Metering & Customer Field Services Senior Leadership Team and collaborate across Customer Services, Technology & Security and wider UU business areas.

What You Bring

We’re looking for a senior leader with:

• Experience leading large, complex operational or asset‑focused functions
• Strong economic and regulatory understanding, ideally within the utilities or regulatory sector
• Proven ability to deliver operational efficiencies and manage significant budgets
• Expertise in asset strategy, performance management and data‑driven decision‑making
• Experience working with regulators and third‑party service providers
• Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• A track record of building high‑performing teams
• Degree‑level education or equivalent experience

Smart metering experience particularly in strategy, asset performance or regulatory delivery is highly advantageous.

Why Join United Utilities?

As a FTSE 100 organisation with a clear purpose and long‑term vision, we offer:

• 26 days’ holiday + bank holidays (rising to 30)
• Up to 14% employer pension contribution
• Up to 20% performance‑related bonus + recognition awards
• Company‑funded private healthcare

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the most strategically important asset areas in the business influencing regulatory outcomes, operational performance and long‑term investment decisions. If you’re driven by purpose, complexity and the chance to make a lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you.