Project Design Lead

About the Role

The successful candidate will provide technical input across the need‑identification, design, construction and commissioning phases, making authoritative decisions that shape engineering outcomes. In most cases the lead will have final say on the design to be built, ensuring solutions are fit‑for‑purpose and robust. Key duties include leading outline design and optioneering, guaranteeing quality assurance of supply‑chain designs, and driving cross‑project coordination to improve efficiency. The role also manages feasibility studies, controls scope and change, oversees design costs, and collaborates with external departments and design teams while challenging existing standards for continuous improvement. • Lead in‑house outline design and optioneering for infrastructure and non‑infrastructure projects. • Ensure technical fitness and robustness of designs delivered on schedule. • Provide quality assurance for supply‑chain designs. • Coordinate across projects to improve efficiency and rigor. • Manage feasibility studies, scope, change control, and design budgets. • Produce high‑quality design deliverables within required timescales. • Collaborate with external departments and design teams. • Challenge existing standards to drive continuous improvement. • Deliver complex water‑industry infrastructure programmes. • Communicate and present technical ideas clearly to experts and non‑technical audiences. • Work collaboratively across the business and understand team objectives. • Analyse problems, prioritize options and apply common‑sense solutions. • Participation in 24/7 incident support with appropriate rotas.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸outline design
• ▸optioneering
• ▸quality assurance
• ▸feasibility study
• ▸design budgets
• ▸cross‑project

What You Bring

Applicants should have proven experience delivering complex water‑industry infrastructure programmes and strong financial awareness. Excellent communication and presentation skills are required, together with the ability to convey technical concepts to both experts and lay audiences. The role demands a collaborative mindset, solid understanding of team objectives, and the capability to analyse issues, prioritise options and resolve novel problems. • Demonstrate strong financial awareness and cost‑management skills.

Requirements

• ▸financial awareness
• ▸cost management
• ▸water infrastructure
• ▸communication
• ▸collaboration
• ▸problem solving

Benefits

Southern Water is investing £7.8 bn between 2025‑2030 to enhance resilience, sustainability and service excellence, offering senior professionals a platform to influence strategic decisions and drive long‑term value. The company champions diversity and inclusive hiring, provides opportunities for personal growth and professional development, and fosters a culture of innovation and responsible stewardship. All staff are part of a 24/7 incident‑support framework, and interview discussions will cover any required on‑call rotas. While flexible‑working requests cannot be guaranteed for every situation, the organisation will seek practical solutions. Candidates who feel they have the right attitude and potential are encouraged to apply, even if they do not meet every listed criterion. • Offer a hybrid work model with flexible regional location. • Competitive salary around £50,000, dependent on experience. • Join a £1.5 bn Clean Rivers & Seas initiative with senior leadership exposure. • Access to personal growth, professional development and innovation opportunities. • Inclusive, diverse workplace with no discrimination based on protected characteristics.

Work Environment

Hybrid