Rainwater Management Technical Principal

Rainwater Management Technical Principal

Job number UU04891 Country United Kingdom Region Cheshire West and Chester Location name Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP
Posting End Date 19/03/2026 Band 3 Role Type Permanent Work hours 37 Hours per Week Salary Competitive Salary

We’re looking for an influential senior leader to drive the future of Rainwater Management at United Utilities.
This is a brand‑new role, created in response to significant growth and a pipeline of exciting transformational projects. In this pivotal position, you’ll provide expert technical leadership across drainage design and specialist activities, championing innovative Rainwater Management solutions that deliver long‑term benefits for the North West.

You’ll represent UU on key technical programmes, including capital projects, operational support, WINEP and Climate Resilience, while shaping strategic resource planning and leading a team of technical specialists. As an ambassador for UU, you’ll also play a vital role in raising the profile of Rainwater Management across the wider water industry.

• Lead specialist technical and design teams (internal and external), owning technical decision‑making for Rainwater Management.
• Provide expert design and technical guidance on SuDS and Nature‑Based Solutions, covering a wide range of components from swales and rain gardens to wetlands, permeable paving and rainwater harvesting.
• Maximise environmental, social and economic benefits through design, supporting a Natural Capital approach.
• Oversee technical delivery and design management of projects, ensuring performance against budget, programme and quality requirements.
• Drive innovation and efficiency in Rainwater Management to accelerate delivery and reduce whole‑life costs.
• Act as the senior point of technical escalation, enabling timely decisions for project teams.
• Provide strategic leadership to multidisciplinary teams delivering integrated drainage and runoff management solutions.
• Identify opportunities to manage rainwater more effectively across the system, enhancing water quality, reducing flooding/spills and supporting water efficiency.
• Lead strategic resource planning and ensure clear, streamlined processes across the Project Delivery System.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring high customer satisfaction.
• Promote technical excellence, governance and consistency across the business.
• Lead Rainwater Management transformation activities and implement legislative or policy‑driven process change.
• Manage contracts and relationships with Design and Delivery Partners.
• Own and develop asset standards, including technical software and hardware requirements.

• Chartered professional e.g.
  
  C.WEM (Chartered Water and Environmental Manager)
  and/or Degree qualified OR equivalent role based experience.
• Experience in delivering capital and strategic projects with a preference of providing technical expertise, design management and guidance
• Possess practical and theoretical knowledge of Rainwater Management interventions, including Sustainable drainage expertise (SuDS) & Nature Based Solutions (NBS).
• Experience in leading successful multi-disciplinary teams in a technical and commercial environment; demonstrating excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Knowledge of the multi-disciplinary roles and activities required to deliver Rainwater Management in the Water industry, including but not limited too;
  Landscape architecture, Earth Sciences including Geotechnical and Physical Geography, Hydrology, Ecology, Modelling, Hydraulics, Environmental Planning, Drainage, Flood Risk, Natural Flood Management (NFM) & Water Quality

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 20% performance‑related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• Car cash allowance - £5,000
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our…