Southern Water
Private UK utility supplying drinking water and treating wastewater across southern England.
Programme Design Manager
Lead design delivery for major water infrastructure projects, ensuring safety, cost, and innovation.
Job Highlights
About the Role
The Programme Design Manager will lead design delivery for a significant part of the Major Projects portfolio, ensuring health and safety excellence and sustainable solutions. They will work closely with Programme Managers and the Major Projects Technical Manager to embed change, drive improvement and maximise value across the supply chain. Responsibilities also include overseeing feasibility optioneering and outline design, championing innovation, coaching senior design leads, managing whole‑life‑cost solutions, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and representing Southern Water to leadership and industry audiences. • Lead design delivery for major projects, ensuring health and safety excellence and sustainable outcomes. • Collaborate with Programme Managers and Technical Manager to embed change, drive improvement and maximize supply‑chain value. • Oversee feasibility optioneering and outline design, meeting quality, cost and schedule targets. • Champion innovation and best practice by integrating new approaches from partners and industry. • Coach and mentor Senior Project Design Leads, fostering a culture of innovation and challenge. • Deliver lowest whole‑life‑cost solutions, manage budgets and negotiate with senior stakeholders. • Ensure rigorous project delivery processes and compliance with RAPID, OFWAT, DWI and Environment Agency regulations. • Represent Southern Water at leadership forums and industry conferences, supporting operational teams.
Key Responsibilities
- ▸design delivery
- ▸feasibility
- ▸outline design
- ▸innovation
- ▸cost optimisation
- ▸regulatory compliance
What You Bring
Candidates must hold an MEng/BEng/BSc or HND/HNC in Engineering, Environmental or a numerate science subject and be chartered engineers. A proven track record of managing large‑scale infrastructure design programmes, ideally within the water sector or other regulated environments, is required. Strong leadership, technical expertise, commercial acumen, knowledge of regulatory frameworks (DCO, DPC, Ofwat) and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion are essential. • Hold an MEng/BEng/BSc or HND/HNC in Engineering, Environmental or a numerate science; Chartered Engineer status required. • Proven experience managing large‑scale infrastructure design programmes, preferably in water or regulated sectors. • Strong leadership, technical expertise, commercial acumen and ability to drive continuous improvement. • Knowledge of regulatory frameworks (DCO, DPC, Ofwat), risk management and audit processes.
Requirements
- ▸chartered engineer
- ▸meng
- ▸infrastructure design
- ▸leadership
- ▸commercial acumen
- ▸regulatory frameworks
Benefits
Southern Water is investing £7.8 bn between 2025‑30 to transform Britain’s water industry, offering senior professionals the chance to make a meaningful impact and influence strategic decisions. The company promotes a culture of personal growth, professional development and constant innovation, with a clear vision for a sustainable and resilient future. If you are excited about the role but unsure if you meet every requirement, or if flexible working is a concern, Southern Water will consider practical solutions and encourages you to engage and apply.
Work Environment
Hybrid