Planning Manager

United Utilities is undertaking a transformational £13+ billion capital delivery programme during AMP8 (2025-2030) to enhance water and wastewater infrastructure across the North West of England.

We are seeking an experienced Planning Manager to support the Enterprise Cheshire team, playing a key role in the successful delivery of this major investment programme. This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished planning professional to lead planning activities across a portfolio of complex infrastructure projects while managing and developing a team of planners.

United Utilities Enterprise Cheshire Team

Contract: 6-Month Rolling Contract

Rate: £525 per day (Umbrella)

Location: Cheshire / North West (Hybrid 2/3 days at the office)

Key Responsibilities

As Planning Manager, you will:

• Lead and manage the planning team on a day-to-day basis, providing line and/or functional management.
• Inspire, support and develop team members, promoting high-quality outputs and career progression.
• Ensure alignment between Operations, Commercial and Planning teams, maintaining a "single version of the truth" across projects.
• Undertake audits and reviews to ensure compliance with planning requirements and drive continuous improvement.
• Contribute to business unit and sector planning strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and key project stakeholders.
• Support the work-winning function by developing tender programmes from first principles and ensuring governance requirements are met.
• Ensure accurate and transparent reporting of programme progress, risks, opportunities and challenges.
• Produce and maintain project programmes and progress reports in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Manage compensation events with subcontractors and clients.

About You

We are looking for a highly capable Planning Manager or Senior Planner who can demonstrate:

• Significant experience in a Planning Manager or Senior Planner position.
• Previous experience managing and developing a team of planners.
• Strong contract planning experience within a Tier 1 contractor environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience representing organisations at client planning and performance meetings.
• Experience coaching, mentoring and supporting the professional development of others.
• Strong programme management, reporting and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to work on one of the UK's largest water infrastructure investment programmes.
• Exposure to high-profile capital projects within a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
• Opportunity to influence the successful delivery of AMP8 investment objectives.

If you are an experienced Planning Manager looking to play a key role in delivering critical infrastructure improvements across the North West, we'd love to hear from you.