At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation and management of construction contracts for major infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join United Utilities, a FTSE 100 company committed to sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, pension contributions, and flexible hybrid working.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration across diverse teams.
- Why this job: Shape impactful contracts that contribute to a greener, stronger North West.
- Qualifications: Experience in construction contracts and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Lingley Mere, Warrington
Salary: Competitive + Annual Bonus
Work Type: Hybrid | Full‑time | Permanent
About us
At United Utilities, our purpose is simple but powerful — to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West. We’re a FTSE 100 organisation with a bold vision, a commitment to sustainability, and a culture where people can grow, innovate and truly make an impact. We value diversity, inclusion and fresh thinking. Whether you’re collaborating with experts across the business or shaping major infrastructure programmes, you’ll find a supportive environment where your expertise is recognised and your contribution matters. And yes — we offer a fantastic benefits package too.
Why this role matters
We’re entering a major period of growth and transformation, and our Commercial function is expanding to support some of the largest and most ambitious construction and infrastructure programmes in the region. We’re looking for a Contract Formulation Professional — someone who thrives on shaping robust, commercially sound construction contracts, navigating complex procurement landscapes, and ensuring our major projects start on the strongest possible footing. If you have deep experience in construction contracts, pre‑contract development, commercial risk, and especially NEC4, this is your opportunity to influence projects that deliver real environmental and societal value.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Contract Strategy & Formulation
- Lead the creation, development and quality assurance of sourcing and contract documentation.
- Shape contract structures, commercial terms and risk allocations for major construction and infrastructure programmes.
- Provide expert guidance on contract specifics, commercial risk and cross‑business impacts.
- Ensure all pre‑contract activity aligns with regulatory requirements, including the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016.
- Procurement & Tender Management
- Manage end‑to‑end tendering processes: reviewing scopes, preparing contract data, issuing tender packs, managing queries, evaluating bids and recommending awards.
- Develop commercially robust contract packages, including clustered frameworks and one‑off works contracts.
- Ensure procurement activity is compliant, transparent and aligned with internal governance.
- Stakeholder & Supplier Engagement
- Build strong relationships with internal teams including Operations, Engineering, Finance, Legal and Regulatory Procurement.
- Act as the first point of contact for contract‑related queries within your category.
- Influence suppliers and contractors, promoting best‑practice commercial behaviours and protecting UU’s interests.
- Commercial Assurance & Risk Management
- Identify, assess and mitigate commercial and contractual risks.
- Maintain effective contract and supplier relationship management.
- Support the business in managing commercial claims, working closely with UU Legal.
- Ensure all documentation, decisions and audit trails are complete and compliant.
What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for someone with strong contract formulation experience, ideally within construction or infrastructure environments. You’ll need:
- Significant experience developing and managing construction contracts, with strong working knowledge of NEC4 (highly desirable).
- Experience running tender processes and evaluating complex technical and commercial submissions.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills — able to influence, challenge and collaborate effectively.
- A solid understanding of regulated procurement and contract law.
- Commercial negotiation skills and the ability to balance risk, value and compliance.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
- The ability to manage competing priorities and operate confidently in a fast‑moving environment.
(No QS degree required — we welcome applicants from a wide range of commercial, procurement, contract management or construction backgrounds.)
What You’ll Get in Return
- 26 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service) plus bank holidays
- Up to 14% employer pension contribution
- Up to 10.5% performance‑related bonus
- Company‑funded healthcare plan
- Discounts, wellbeing benefits, EV scheme and more
- Flexible hybrid working (typically 3 days on site)
- A supportive environment where your expertise shapes real‑world outcomes
Impact
Ready to Shape the Future of Construction Contracting in the North West? If you’re passionate about building strong, resilient and commercially robust contracts — and want to play a key role in major infrastructure programmes — we’d love to hear from you. Join us and help deliver a greener, stronger future for the North West.
Contract Formulation Professional in Warrington employer: United Utilities
At United Utilities, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Located in Lingley Mere, Warrington, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while you contribute to impactful infrastructure projects. With a competitive salary, generous benefits including up to 30 days of annual leave, and a commitment to employee growth, we empower our team to make a real difference in delivering sustainable water solutions for the North West.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Formulation Professional in Warrington
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like United Utilities, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Contract Formulation Professional at United Utilities.
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Formulation Professional in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at United Utilities
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
