At a Glance
- Tasks: Monitor budgets and provide insights to support financial performance in a dynamic programme.
- Company: Join a leading utilities company focused on impactful infrastructure projects.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, a competitive pension, and wellness perks.
- Other info: Hybrid work environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in financial decision-making while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance or cost control, with strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 48089 - 48089 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity for a Programme Controller to play a key role in a high-value Totex investment programme. You’ll be responsible for monitoring and controlling regional budgets, ensuring financial performance stays on track while supporting operational delivery. Working closely with Finance, PMO, and Commercial teams, you’ll provide clear insights that support planning, forecasting, and decision-making across Network Operations.
What you'll be doing:
- Monitoring and controlling operational and capital budgets across a regional programme to meet financial targets
- Producing accurate monthly financial reports, including LBEs (Latest Best Estimates) and Values of Work
- Analysing cost and performance data to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for efficiency improvements
- Partnering closely with Finance on journals, accruals, and financial governance activities
- Reconciling contractor payments against SAP data at contract level to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Supporting the development and tracking of volume-based budget builds
- Providing a clear and robust regional overview of programme performance and expenditure
- Influencing operational plans by assessing the financial impact of policy, regulatory, and budgetary changes
- Driving improved data integrity to meet regulatory reporting requirements
- Continuously reviewing performance to balance financial targets with network reliability, compliance, and customer outcomes
What you'll bring:
- Proven experience in a cost control, finance, or programme environment, ideally within utilities or infrastructure
- Strong financial and analytical capability, with the ability to interpret complex data and influence decision‑making
- Working knowledge of SAP and advanced Excel skills, with confidence using reporting tools
- Financial or technical qualification (e.g. HNC or degree) preferred but not essential. Working towards a professional accounting qualification such as CIMA, ACCA, or AAT is also advantageous
- Ability to manage multiple priorities independently and meet strict reporting deadlines
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a proactive and solutions‑focused mindset
What we offer:
- 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
- MyGymDiscounts – 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
- ShareBuy
- MORE Choices flexible benefits
- Enhanced parental leave schemes
Salary – £48,089
Work Type – Hybrid
Job Location – Lingley Mere, Lingley Green Avenue, Lingley Green, Warrington, WA5 3YR, United Kingdom
Role Type – Permanent
Employment Type – Full Time
Working Hours – 37.0 Hours per Week
Programme Controller in Warrington employer: United Utilities
Join a dynamic team as a Programme Controller at our Warrington location, where we prioritise employee well-being and professional growth. With a generous annual leave package, competitive pension contributions, and a range of wellness benefits, we foster a supportive work culture that values your contributions and encourages continuous development. Our commitment to excellence in financial management within the utilities sector ensures that you will play a pivotal role in impactful projects while enjoying a balanced work-life environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Controller in Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and role thoroughly. Understand their values and how your skills align with their needs. Practise common interview questions and be ready to showcase your financial and analytical capabilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Mention something specific from the interview to show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be the perfect fit for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Controller in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your financial and analytical capabilities, especially if you've worked with budgets or SAP before. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Programme Controller role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced decision-making or improved financial performance in previous roles.
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves working closely with various teams, it's important to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. In your application, mention any experiences where you've successfully managed stakeholders or collaborated across departments.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Utilities
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Programme Controller, you'll be dealing with budgets and financial reports. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've monitored and controlled budgets in the past. Be specific about your experience with tools like SAP and Excel, as these will be crucial in your role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your ability to analyse cost and performance data. Think of examples where you've identified trends or variances that led to efficiency improvements. This will show your potential employer that you can provide valuable insights for decision-making.
✨Communicate Clearly
Excellent communication is key in this role. Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to present your findings or influence operational plans, so being articulate and confident will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Be Proactive and Solutions-Focused
Employers love candidates who take initiative. Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially those related to financial governance or compliance. Highlight your proactive mindset and how it has positively impacted your team's performance.
