Project Director
Position: Project Director
Location: Testwood with hybrid working available
Salary: £120k, car/allowance, bonus and excellent benefits package
Our Client: Is an integrated design and build solution provider operating in the water sector. They have over 1,000 staff working across eight regional centres, primarily supporting eight long term water sector frameworks operating both on their own and increasingly in joint ventures and alliances.
The Role: You will report directly to the Regional Operations Director, and you will have full accountability for the successful delivery of a high-value, high risk project near Southampton involving multi stakeholders, delivered under NEC4 contracts, alliance frameworks, or joint ventures. You will drive the integration of multi-disciplinary teams to deliver a complex water treatment facilities and related infrastructure. From early-stage design through to commissioning and handover, your leadership will be key to achieving best-in-class outcomes across programme, cost, quality, safety, and regulatory compliance
Responsibilities: Strategic Project Leadership
Provide overall direction and strategic leadership for large-scale design & build water projects, aligning delivery with client and regulatory requirements (e.g., Ofwat, EA, DWI).
Define and execute project delivery strategies, construction methodologies, and governance structures.
Lead integrated design and delivery teams, ensuring collaboration between engineering, construction, commercial, commissioning and environmental functions.
Design Management & Technical Assurance.
Oversee early-stage design development, feasibility studies, optioneering, and value engineering.
Ensure robust technical solutions that meet asset performance, sustainability, and regulatory requirements.
Champion the use of digital design tools (e.g. BIM Level 2+, Common Data Environments) and ensure design buildability.
Construction Delivery & Programme Control.
Drive the execution of construction works through effective planning, contractor coordination, and performance management.
Ensure alignment of construction activities with design intent, project milestones, and safety protocols.
Maintain visibility on critical path activities, commissioning schedules, and final handover to operations teams.
Commercial & Contract Management.
Full accountability for budget management and cost control across all project phases.
Administer D&B contracts (typically NEC3/NEC4) and manage risk allocation, change control, and dispute resolution.
Lead commercial negotiations, procurement strategy, and contractor/supplier engagement.
Stakeholder Engagement & Client Interface.
Act as the senior representative to clients, framework partners, statutory bodies, and key internal stakeholders.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with Water Companies, Joint Venture partners, and delivery consortia.
Lead stakeholder forums, site tours, community engagement, and client reporting.
Experience:
Essential
Degree-qualified in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Environmental Engineering or a related field.
Extensive experience as a Project Manager and strong experience as a Project Director or equivalent leadership role
Strong understanding of UK water sector frameworks (e.g., AMP7/AMP8), CDM 2015, and regulatory bodies (Ofwat, EA, DWI)
High-level strategic thinking and the ability to deliver complex projects under time, budget, and regulatory pressure.
Leadership of integrated design and construction teams across multidisciplinary project environments.
Deep commercial knowledge including NEC3/NEC4 contracts, alliance models, and risk management.
Strong technical acumen with the ability to challenge and guide design and engineering solutions.
Excellent stakeholder management and communication at board, JV, and operational levels.
Desirable:
Chartered Engineer (CEng), MICE, MIET, or equivalent professional membership.
Experience working within or alongside major water companies (e.g. Thames, Severn Trent, Anglian, United Utilities).
Familiarity with modern construction technologies, digital twins, and smart infrastructure
Package includes: A competitive salary, bonus, car/car allowance
25 days holiday + Bank Holidays (with an additional 5 days available to buy)
Contribution Pension scheme, Life Assurance, Health Insurance
Private Medical Insurance and many more benefits including – cycle to work scheme, discounts and savings Hub, kids pass etc.
Key Words:
Project Manager
Senior Project Manager
Project Management
Project Delivery
Project Director
Project Execution
Design & Build
Construction
Contracts
Contractual
Conditions of Contract
NEC
IChemE
Water Industry
Water Sector
Water Treatment
Wastewater
Sewage
Utilities
Power Generation
Power Sector
Nuclear
Energy Sector
Energy from Waste
Infrastructure
Anaerobic Digestion
Project Planning
Risk Management
AMP 7
AMP 8
Thames Water
Southern Water
Wessex Water
Bristol Water