At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commissioning activities for innovative water projects, ensuring systems operate safely and efficiently.
- Company: Join Costain, a leader in smart infrastructure solutions across the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of water innovation and help improve lives through sustainable solutions.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and extensive commissioning experience in the water sector.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Costain have won extensive work across the water sector this year to support the AMP 8 investment cycle. We have been appointed by United Utilities as one of 7 partners to the Enterprise, delivering £5.5bn of projects in the Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) between 2025 – 2030, and AMP 9 (2030 – 2035). Our scope is to provide project management, design, construction and commissioning services on design and build schemes throughout the North West and Cumbria region covered by United Utilities. Projects vary in value covering both infrastructure and non-infrastructure assets on water and wastewater sites with wider Enterprise partners.
The Senior Commissioning Manager is responsible for leading the planning, execution, and delivery of commissioning activities across complex water and wastewater projects. This role ensures that systems, assets, and processes are safely and efficiently brought into operation, meeting regulatory, client, and performance requirements. You will work closely with design, construction, and operations teams to deliver high-quality, compliant, and fully functional water treatment and distribution systems.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage commissioning activities across multiple water projects
- Develop and implement commissioning strategies, plans, and procedures
- Coordinate with design, construction, and operations teams to ensure smooth system integration
- Oversee testing, inspection, and validation of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control systems (MEICA)
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and regulatory standards
- Manage risk assessments, method statements, and commissioning documentation
- Provide technical leadership and guidance to commissioning engineers and site teams
- Liaise with client, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies throughout the commissioning process
- Champion high quality delivery from the outset of design; developing processes, systems and initiatives to drive a high quality, right first-time culture
- Monitor project timelines, budgets, and resources related to commissioning activities
- Provide accurate and timely project performance reports, ensuring projects are on track and contract requirements are met; sharing and celebrating success and developing improvement plans and implementing mitigation strategies as required
- Lead troubleshooting, fault-finding, and performance optimisation
- Support handover processes, including training and documentation for operations teams
Essential Qualifications
- Degree/equivalent in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or related discipline)
- Extensive experience in commissioning within the water / wastewater sector
- Strong knowledge of water treatment processes (e.g., filtration, pumping, disinfection, sludge treatment)
- Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams
- Experience with MEICA systems and process control (SCADA/PLC)
- In-depth understanding of health, safety, and environmental regulations
- Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
Desirable
- Chartered Engineer status (or working towards it)
- Experience on large-scale infrastructure or utility projects
- Familiarity with UK water industry standards (e.g. AMP programmes)
- Knowledge of commissioning digital tools and data-driven performance monitoring
Key Competencies
- Leadership and team management
- Problem-solving and analytical thinking
- Communication and stakeholder management
- Attention to detail and quality assurance
- Decision-making under pressure
About Us Costain helps to improve people’s lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK’s energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency.
We appreciate the time and effort taken when applying for one of our positions but, due to the high volume of responses, we are unable to provide individual feedback on candidates at application phase. We do share individual feedback following an interview. We are a Disability Confident employer and will generally offer an interview to any applicant who discloses they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.
Senior Commissioning Manager employer: Costain Group PLC
Costain is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets collaboration in the water sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive training and development opportunities, ensuring our team members thrive while contributing to impactful projects across the North West and Cumbria. Our inclusive culture prioritises safety and quality, making us a leader in delivering sustainable infrastructure solutions that enhance communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commissioning Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the water sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your LinkedIn game on point! Make sure your profile showcases your experience in commissioning and project management. Engage with industry-related content and connect with professionals at Costain and other companies in the sector.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of water treatment processes and MEICA systems. Be ready to discuss how you've led teams and managed projects in the past, as this will show you're the right fit for the Senior Commissioning Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Costain team and contributing to our exciting projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commissioning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Commissioning Manager role. Highlight your experience in commissioning within the water/wastewater sector and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your leadership experience and project management skills!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead commissioning activities. Use metrics where possible to show how you’ve positively impacted previous projects. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Costain Group PLC
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of water treatment processes and MEICA systems. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving commissioning in the water/wastewater sector. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Commissioning Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed multidisciplinary teams and resolved conflicts. Highlight your approach to fostering a high-quality culture and how you’ve driven projects to success.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Familiarise yourself with health, safety, and environmental regulations relevant to the water industry. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your projects and how you handle risk assessments and method statements. This will show that you take safety and compliance seriously.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Communication is key! Think about how you’ve liaised with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies in past roles. Be ready to share strategies you’ve used to keep everyone informed and engaged throughout the commissioning process. This will highlight your stakeholder management skills.
