Divisional General Manager ENC in Manchester

Location/s: Flexible across UK and Europe office locations

Relocation supported: Within region

Closing date: 29/01/2026 - 2000hrs

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee‑owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About The division

Environmental and social considerations are central to Mott MacDonald’s Purpose and its offerings across all sectors and territories. Our environment and social business provides essential services and innovative solutions which anticipate our clients’ needs across all sectors.

Overview Of The Role

The Divisional General Manager (DGM) is a key senior leadership role in the Water and Environment Unit leading an established and successful team of over 600 people in the UK and Europe. The division is diverse in terms of clients, markets, disciplines, locations and its employees and through all of these has significant opportunities ahead including in its support to the wider Mott MacDonald Group. This is a fantastic opportunity to build upon a successful foundation, growing our presence and further establishing MM as a leader in the Environment, Nature and Consents market. You will identify and set the strategy, direction and lead on culture for how the division will deliver against ambitious profitable sustainable growth targets over the next 2‑3 years, with a primary focus on winning and delivering projects whilst creating enduring client relationships at all levels that establish the business firmly as a consultant of choice for them and our people. As DGM, you will be an ambassador and voice for Mott MacDonald across the division and wider Environment, Nature and Consents Sector, articulating and representing our purpose, brand, vision and value proposition, and being responsible for managing complex relationships and priorities. You will drive inclusivity and be a natural leader, demonstrating visible leadership and accountability for our culture, including in health, safety and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities And Duties Include:

• Prepare and deliver Divisional strategic plans, feeding into both Unit and Sector Plans, and ensure the Division achieves its objectives and optimises financial performance and operational productivity; be accountable for overall delivery of budgetary targets and strive for continual improvement across the Division’s business and project performance.
• Grow and nurture external relationships, build and maintain strong networks with key clients, business partners and competitors, driving joint initiatives where appropriate and using these networks to influence and impact the growth and direction of the business.
• Ensure sufficient resourcing across the Division to meet business requirements, engaging with Resource Managers and key stakeholders where appropriate.
• Maintain and grow a diverse and collaborative Divisional executive to deliver leadership and services to our people, clients across the division, the wider WNE Unit and MM Group.
• Establish and nurture an innovative, challenging, collaborative and high‑performing work environment, which supports and fosters the Mott MacDonald values and culture.
• Continually improve employee engagement, retention, wellbeing and career development opportunities for all in the Division by utilising appropriate people management processes and principles, thereby contributing towards making Mott MacDonald the employer of choice.
• Manage and lead the Division in compliance with established company policies and Business Management Systems as well as ensuring compliance with all relevant legislations and regulations to ensure the business is operating legally and to the requirements and directives of the Group.
• Drive value through support functions ensuring appropriate use and demonstrating collaboration, effectiveness and efficiency.

Experience & Capabilities:

• Proven leader with a credible and detailed understanding of the challenges associated with growing and delivering a highly effective Water and Environment business. P&L management experience of a multi‑£m business, adept at operating in an organic matrix structure.
• Inspiring and growth‑focused people leader of sizeable divisions, with a team‑oriented and collaborative focus. Able to work closely with peers, delegate, motivate and empower individuals and teams effectively.
• Proven track record in having delivered business growth sustainably, with a desire and experience to support opportunities and projects across the UK and internationally.
• Established voice in the environment sector, with a strong aptitude representing brand, vision and value proposition to develop market presence and be responsible for managing several complex relationships and priorities.
• Specific experience in driving, co‑ordinating and motivating highly technical‑minded individuals with a particular focus towards the environment sector.
• Experience of integrating advisory skills and engineering domain skills to deliver improved client outcomes. Robust commercial acumen and appreciation of risk and mitigations to protect MM.
• Ability to exercise sound technical and commercial judgement and decision making in complex, often high‑profile situations.
• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, trust and strong business ethics.
• Registered or accredited professional and membership of a relevant professional institution.

Application process:

A current CV. Your response to the below questions using a maximum of two A4 pages:

• Your definition of success in role for the business.
• Evidence the experience and capabilities that you could bring to Mott MacDonald to lead the division while delivering sustainable and profitable growth.
• Outline and evidence your approach to promoting EDI and how this has contributed to creating an inclusive and safe working environment in your current or previous employers.
• What support will you require to succeed in role.

UK Immigration:

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working:

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well‑being, flexibility and trust.

Equality, diversity and inclusion:

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility:

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We Offer Some Fantastic Benefits Including:

• Financial wellbeing: We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%. Life assurance equal up to 4 × your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 × your salary. Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long‑term illness or injury. Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing. As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.
• Employee Ownership: Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success. Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses. As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long‑term impact and contribution. Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future. For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.
• Health and wellbeing: Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues. Health cash plan to support you with everyday health costs and treatments. Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues. A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family. Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.
• Lifestyle: A minimum of 33‑35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme. Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service. Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high‑street retailers.
• Enhanced family and carers leave: Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave. Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay. Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• Learning and development: Primary annual professional institution subscription. A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training and self‑development options.
• Networks, communities and social outcomes: Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability and parents/carers communities. Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.

Location(s): Cambridge, GB; Birmingham, GB; Croydon, GB; Glasgow, GB; London, GB; Leeds, GB; Manchester, GB; Southampton, GB

Contract Type: Permanent

Work Pattern: Full Time

Market: Water

Discipline: Environment

Job Ref: 13067

Recruiter Contact: David McFall