Commercial Marketing Manager

United Utilities (UU) is proud to be ranked #11 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, youwill find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of and to belong to.

Our mission is to deliver high-quality water for a more prosperous, 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 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.

Joining us

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll join a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution. These include:

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• A 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements.

The role

We have a brilliant opportunity for you at United Utilities (UU) as a Market Manager within our Commercial Strategic Programmes team, working from our headquarters in Lingley Mere, Warrington, Cheshire (hybrid).

UU are experiencing a period of growth and transformation, creating several opportunities within our Commercial function to work alongside our largest and most ambitious new projects. As a Market Manager, you support and manage a range of commercial activities, including delivering strategic programme management for medium spend categories. You will collaborate and engage proactively with stakeholders, will support the wider team on delivering complex projects as well las leading on some projects of your own. You will proactively look at ways UU can innovate and implement new ways of working.

In joining us, you will have full exposure to the organisation, our major projects and our largest industry partners. Stakeholder collaboration is vital for this role. You will therefore need to build strong working relationships, manage key internal and external stakeholders effectively, whilst maximising value for UU and our customers by collaborating with other experts and leading initiatives to tackle, challenges unique to our industry, contributing to our success and helping us achieve our objectives.

We champion flexible ways of working. In-person attendance is required three days per week to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

If you are passionate about making a positive difference for the North West of England and want to join us on our journey of transformation, we would love to hear from you. Apply now and become part of the UU family!

Key responsibilities

• Market Strategy: Develop Integrated Market Strategies for medium spend categories, with medium levels of business impact. Influencing total contracted spend up to £200m. Supporting the wider team in delivery of more complex strategic projects.
• Stakeholder Engagement Create and sustain value-based relationships with relevant stakeholders (at 'Heads of’ level), utilising the lite business partnering framework, to support the integration of category strategies and deliver on all risk, legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Cost and Benefit Pipeline: Input into identifying and delivering qualified savings and benefits pipeline, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, approved by Finance and applicable to budgets.
• Collaboration: Establish a collaborative way of working with all relevant stakeholders that supports the successful transition of Integrated Market Strategies to relevant Sourcing led execution, Supplier Collaboration Strategy or business change.
• Market Knowledge: Engage suppliers and industry experts to introduce innovation, expertise and ideas to deliver market led competitive advantage.

Skills & experience
To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Degree-educated with a relevant post-graduate qualification (e.g., CIPS, RICS, MBA, MSC) OR equivalent knowledge/experience.
• Experience of delivering strategic outcomes in a utilities and/or commercial environment.
• Experience of creating and implementing spend category strategies.
• Proven senior stakeholder management and business partnering skillset

• Knowledge of project delivery processes, tools and methodologies.
• Demonstrable level of problem-solving experience, preferably in large, complex organisations.
• Experience with cross-functional collaborative working methods.
• Knowledge of the Utilities market sector.
• Full UK driving license.

Other
We believe in empowering you to achieve your aspirations and dreams, both in your work and in your life. To help you achieve your goals, we offer a variety of voluntary benefits that you can select according to your needs and preferences.

• Onsite gym and physio lounge with instructor-led gym classes and dedicated physiotherapist
• 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