About Us

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 graduate in the Planning, Landscape, Ecology and Access team

As an Environmental Planning Graduate you will be providing support and collaborating with teams across the business to ensure we meet our planning and environmental responsibilities. Ensuring that environmental objectives, policies and standards are accounted for in project designs and through to construction. You will develop a broad range of skills through working closely with both internal and external stakeholders and approval bodies across the region. You will develop a detailed technical knowledge of the planning approval process and other necessary environmental consents needed to support United Utilities capital investments.

What you’ll be getting stuck into day to day:

• You will be given responsibility at an early stage across a wide variety of projects.
• We’ll expect you to be highly motivated and develop your understanding of how both the planning system and the business works, on the job. However, we won’t expect you to know everything from day one, and we’ll support you every step of the way as you learn the ropes.
• You’ll be part of our Planning, Landscape, Ecology and Access team challenging and influencing our teams to produce designs acceptable to consenting bodies, stakeholders, and customers, in line with our company targets and policies.
• You will work alongside business experts to help deliver projects within budget and on programme and ensure that all planning and consenting risks to sites and projects are identified and dealt with in an appropriate manner.
• You will develop strong working relationships with project teams, including contractors and suppliers and work with colleagues in other organisations such as planning authorities, the Environment Agency, Natural England.
• There will also be opportunities to represent the company at community consultation events where you will speak to the general public about our projects.
• You will be part of a wider network of graduates across the business with the opportunity to work together to develop a broader understanding of United Utilities and the water sector.
• You will begin the journey towards professional chartership with an appropriate body, such as the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management or the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.