Shape the future of environmental regulation and stakeholder engagement at United Utilities.United Utilities is committed to delivering water services that support a stronger, greener and healthier North West. As our new Head of Environmental Engagement, you will set the strategic direction for how we engage with regulators, government, industry bodies and environmental stakeholders, ensuring our organisation operates with clarity, credibility and confidence.
This is a high-impact leadership role, ideal for someone who can operate at executive level, navigate complex regulatory landscapes, and drive alignment across multiple environmental workstreams including enforcement, relations and policy.
You will shape our long-term approach, provide critical governance, influence external policy, and lead the teams responsible for the organisation’s most important environmental interactions.
What you’ll be doing:As the strategic owner of all environmental engagement, you will define how the organisation approaches regulatory relationships, specifically with the Environment Agency, and how it responds to emerging risks, expectations and policy changes.
Key responsibilities include:
*Define and maintain the organisation’s regulatory engagement strategy, risk appetite and long-term objectives in this area.
*Align our external regulatory approach with corporate strategy, environmental ambitions and emerging legislative expectations.
*Establish robust governance frameworks, escalation thresholds, quality standards and decision gates for all enforcement, appeals, submissions and policy positions.
*Provide executive-level assurance on high-risk or high-profile cases and sign off critical interventions.
*Lead relationships with the Environment Agency, and other related agencies industry bodies and key external influencers.
*Act as a senior spokesperson for the business on regulatory matters.
*Oversee the delivery of enforcement casework, regulatory relations activity and business management functions.
*Ensure operational actions remain aligned with strategic intent and executive expectations.
*Own and operate escalation protocols for major enforcement or regulatory engagement risks.
*Coordinate cross-company response, senior briefings and external communications during critical events.
*Analyse enforcement trends, appeal outcomes and environmental performance to drive systemic improvements.
*Identify emerging risks and recommend forward-looking changes across operations and governance.
*Lead, coach and develop senior managers across enforcement, relations and business management.
*Ensure capability, resourcing and succession are in place to support sustained excellence.
*Represent United Utilities in national policy consultations, industry groups and cross-sector initiatives.
*Influence regulatory evolution and share best practice across the industry.
What we’re looking for:*Degree (or equivalent) in an environmental, regulatory, legal, policy or related discipline.
*Professional qualifications in environmental management, public policy or regulation are desirable.
*Extensive senior-level experience in environmental regulation, policy or stakeholder engagement, ideally within the water industry or a similarly regulated sector.
*Proven success leading multidisciplinary teams and managing high-profile regulatory issues.
*Experience working directly with national regulators, government departments and industry bodies is desirable.
*Strong track record influencing policy or regulatory outcomes.
*Experience in enforcement, crisis management or appeals is highly desirable.
*Strategic thinker with strong commercial and organisational awareness.
*Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills, comfortable operating at executive and regulatory leadership levels.
*Strong governance, risk management and decision-making capability.
*Excellent written and verbal communication, able to turn complex environmental and technical information into clear strategic insight.
*Proven ability to lead senior managers and drive cross-functional collaboration.
*High resilience, sound judgement and the ability to operate under pressure.
What we offer:*26 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 after four years, plus 8 bank holidays
*Competitive pension with up to 14% employer contribution (21% combined)
*Up to 20% performance-related bonus
*£5,000 car allowance
*Company-funded healthcare plan
*Recognition awards for outstanding performance
*A flexible hybrid working model with 3 days per week onsite to support collaboration
(More frequent attendance may be required initially during your onboarding period.)
About United Utilities:United Utilities provides water and wastewater services to more than seven million people across the North West. Our mission is to deliver high-quality water in a way that protects the environment, supports the economy and benefits society.
We’re proud to be ranked #11 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List, demonstrating our commitment to a workplace where everyone can grow, excel and feel valued. We believe in diversity, inclusion and innovation and in creating long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities.
Join us and help deliver a greener, more resilient future for the North West.