United Utilities
Graduate Future Leader
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Salary: at least £32,250 per annum with an annual pay review & £2000 joining bonus
Location: Warrington, Manchester, Fazakerley
Hours: 37 hours per week
Every day, we deliver one of life's most essential services to millions of people across the North West. From providing safe, high-quality drinking water to protecting the environment and supporting thriving communities, the work we do matters. We're now in the second year of our £16.5 billion investment programme, one of the largest transformation programmes in our history. It's an exciting time to join us as we improve our services, enhance environmental performance, embrace innovation and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
There's more to us than just great water. We are where purpose flows.
What you can expect being a Future Leader graduate
Join our 3-year Graduate Programme at United Utilities as an Operational Future Leader and become an integral part of our innovative Operational teams across the North West region.
This scheme is for those who are looking to develop into key leadership roles within our operational teams, so if you see yourself managing some of our treatment works or networks and the teams that are responsible for providing water, wastewater and bioresource services to our customers, or operating within an Integrated Control Centre to coordinate real-time operational performance and incident response then this is the scheme for you.
At United Utilities we operate across five counties, each with its own unique needs and priorities. As part of the scheme, you’ll gain exposure to these diverse counties by working both on site and in an office setting. Alongside the county locations, our headquarters is based in Warrington, providing a central hub for regional planning and operations.
We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive culture where all team member’s contributions are valued. You will benefit from a robust support network that offers extensive learning and development opportunities. You'll gain a deep understanding of what it takes to lead one of our teams and manage our operations. This includes the operation and maintenance of our assets and the regulatory and legislative framework governing the water industry.
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What you’ll be getting stuck into day to day
The scheme offers fantastic learning and development opportunities through structured placements, formal leadership training, creative innovation challenges and a robust support network, helping you build a successful career in a major utility company.
As a Graduate Future Leader, you’ll enjoy structured placements across various areas like Treatment and Network Operations, County System Performance, Risk Management and our Central Integrated Control Centre, giving you a comprehensive view of our operations and preparing you to lead one of our teams.
You’ll develop an understanding of how an Integrated Control Centre coordinates operational activity across the region, building the knowledge and decision-making skills needed to become a future operational leader.
You will develop excellent communication, leadership, and change management skills, motivating teams to improve performance and meet high service standards.
You’ll learn to think strategically to drive our organisation’s growth, essential for your future success.
What you’ll bring to the team
We require our future leader graduates to have a minimum 2:1 (or 2:2 with Masters) in any relevant technical, scientific, environmental, engineering or business management degree.
You will need to:
- Be motivated, enthusiastic and have the potential to develop excellent leadership, influencing and communications skills.
- Have good written and interpersonal skills.
- Be an excellent team player, possessing ambition and drive.
- Be able to have the ability to work across a matrix organisation to deliver desired outcomes.
- Be able to work in a variety of different teams from site to office based and be willing to travel to multiple locations in the North West.
- You may also need to be flexible with working hours at times.
- Have a full UK Driving licence when the scheme starts (Sep 2027)
Why join United Utilities as a Graduate?
By joining us on our 3-year graduate scheme, you'll not only get first-class training and support, but we'll also provide you with an in-depth understanding of your business area, ultimately giving you the confidence, skills and knowledge required to become one of our future operational, technical or people leaders, driving meaningful change.
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What's in it for you?
We know that delivering a great service starts with supporting you, our people. That's why we offer a range of benefits designed to help you thrive both at work and outside of it.
- Starting salary of at least £32,250 + £2,000 welcome bonus
- Annual pay increase and bonus (subject to performance)
- 26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 4 years + bank holidays
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave policies
- Up to 14% employer pension contribution
- Access to colleague wellbeing programmes and dedicated mentors who will support you whilst on scheme
- We’ll contribute up to £500 towards driving lessons and tests to help to get you on the road
Want to learn more about life at United Utilities and explore our full benefits package? Take a look at our Flexa profile here: [United Utilities | Verified Employers | Flexa Careers](United Utilities | Verified Employers | Flexa Careers)
Our commitment to opportunity for all
We're committed to creating a workplace where you feel you can belong and can succeed. Our colleague networks play an important role in this, these are:
- GeneQ – supporting gender equality, parents and carers
- Multi-Cultural & Faith
- LGBTQ+
- Armed Forces
- Ability – supporting colleagues with disabilities and long-term health conditions
We recommend that you are open and honest with us throughout the process and make us aware of any reasonable adjustments you may require.
To ensure a fair recruitment process, we ask that you apply for only one Graduate role per recruitment year. Take a look at all our opportunities and apply for the one that interests you most.
Additional Information
Our recruitment process requires you to complete:
- An Online application form
- Online tests
- An assessment centre
Please note that you must be available to attend an in-person recruitment stage during the period 17th November – 11th December
Application deadline: 21st October 2026 – please apply early as deadlines are subject to change
Based on current immigration guidelines this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship
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