Portfolio Manager

Role details

Salary - Competitive SalaryWork Type - HybridJob Location - Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LPRole Type - PermanentEmployment Type - Full TimeWorking Hours - 37

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution."

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), 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 allowance 5k
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Job Purpose

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Portfolio Manager for our Transformation and Strategic programs directorate to lead the delivery and management of a portfolio of transformation programmes and projects within the Customer and Technology area. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in customer billing migration. 

The successful candidate will be responsible for the strategic priorities alignment, driving consistent application of portfolio management and enabling the delivery of measurable outcomes.

This role requires an experienced strategic thinker and the ability to drive results with tenacity and a strong delivery focus, demonstrating the ability to cut through complexity and ambiguity to ensure outcomes are achieved.

The successful candidate will play a critical leadership role with the ability to inspire and motivate teams, influence stakeholders and drive change effectively.

Responsible for leading and developing a high performing team which includes program and project managers you will be a key member of the Change and Transformation leadership team, driving one UU change agenda.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning, prioritisation, and resource optimisation across programmes and projects in the functional change portfolio.
• Partner with executive leaders to shape investment decisions, balancing risk, value, capacity, and change appetite.
• Chair portfolio governance boards and supports the development of business cases for submission to investment committees.
• Drive benefits management discipline, including realisation tracking and post-implementation reviews.
• Embed continuous improvement and innovation across portfolio management practices.

Technical Skills & Experience

• Proven experience leading enterprise-wide portfolio or transformation functions.
• Ability to drive results with tenacity - A strong delivery focus
• Ability to inspire and motivate teams, influence stakeholders, and drive change effectively.
• Proven ability to operate at board level, influencing and advising executive stakeholders.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and communication skills.
• High resilience, judgement, and ability to make data-driven decisions in complex, fast-moving environments.
• Strong understanding of organisational change management and strategic execution.

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.