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- Tasks: Lead and oversee detailed design projects in the water sector.
- Company: Mott MacDonald is a global consultancy with 20,000+ employees across 50+ countries.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, private medical insurance, and generous holiday allowances.
- Why this job: Join a team making a real societal impact while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in detailed design for the UK and Ireland water market is essential.
- Other info: Flexible working policies and a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
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Closing Date: 29/08/2025
Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.
Location/s: UK Wide
Recruiter contact: David McFall
Closing Date: 29/08/2025
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 bebrilliant.
We are anticipating significant opportunities and growth in our detailed design work for Contractors in the UK and Ireland water market. These opportunities are generally major projects with capex £100m-£5bn (eg new supply reservoirs, major water transfer schemes, large sewage and water treatment works, effluent reuse schemes). We also expect significant opportunities with Contractors working onflood and coastal risk management, navigation and water land and biodiversity assets from early 2027.
To keep our service offering joined up, ensure consistent, high-quality technical output, and to provide space for our people to grow around a team working on similar work with similar clients, we plan to establish a Detailed Design team within Water Engineering Team of our Water Consultancy Division.
The Detailed Design Lead will have responsibility for leading and overseeing all detailed design projects delivered by the team, and ensuring we have the right Project Technical Leads in place to ensure quality and control our risk exposure.
Roles and responsibilities
- Establish and grow a team to deliver the detailed design work we win and help to maintain significant work for this team.
- Support Business Development by working with relevant Account Leaders (contractors, EA and internal to support the likes of hydropower) and Client Directors to engage with the Contractor market, develop new opportunities and support tender design submissions with contractors.
- Team leadership, line management and resource management (noting line management and resource management to be delegated as required) of the detailed design team.
- Help to support and nurture the next generation of designers to ensure a sustainable long-term detailed design offering in the UK water market.
- Technical Lead or Project Director for delivery of Detailed Design projects for Contractors
Relevant Experience
- Significant experience of delivering detailed design work for Contractors in the UK and Ireland water market.
- Ideally a range of technical experience including infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects (projects are likely to include a broad range of flood management, treatment, pipelines, dams and reservoirs so the wider the experience, the better).
- Experience of business development and growing service offerings and teams.
- Team leadership experience is essential, including resource management and line management as a preference.
- Major project delivery experience, ideally in the water market.
UK Immigration
Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as 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 at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.
We Offer Some Fantastic Benefits Including
Health and wellbeing
- Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
- Health cash plan to support you with every day 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.
Financial wellbeing
- We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
- Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x 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.
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
Contract Type: Permanent
Work Pattern: Full Time
Market: Water
Discipline: Water
Job Ref: 10205
Recruiter Contact: David McFall
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
-
Industries
Civil Engineering
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Water Detailed Design Lead employer: Mott MacDonald
Contact Detail:
Mott MacDonald Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Water Detailed Design Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the water engineering sector. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and clients. This can help you gain insights into the latest trends and opportunities at Mott MacDonald.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Mott MacDonald's recent projects and initiatives in the water market. Understanding their approach and values will allow you to tailor your conversations and demonstrate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing past experiences where you've successfully managed teams or projects. Highlighting your ability to nurture talent and drive project success will resonate well with Mott MacDonald's focus on team growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with Mott MacDonald on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Share relevant content, comment on their posts, and connect with current employees. This can increase your visibility and show your genuine interest in the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Water Detailed Design Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Water Detailed Design Lead position. Understand the key responsibilities and required experience, especially in detailed design work for Contractors in the UK and Ireland water market.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience that aligns with the role. Emphasise your team leadership skills, project delivery experience, and any specific technical expertise related to water engineering projects.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also demonstrates your passion for the water industry and your understanding of Mott MacDonald's values. Mention how you can contribute to their goals and support business development.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is clear and concise. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mott MacDonald
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a Water Detailed Design Lead, it's crucial to demonstrate your extensive knowledge in detailed design work. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, particularly those related to infrastructure and non-infrastructure in the water market. Highlight your role and the impact of your contributions.
✨Emphasise Leadership Skills
Mott MacDonald values team leadership and resource management. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams, managed resources, and nurtured junior designers. This will show your capability to grow and support the detailed design team effectively.
✨Prepare for Business Development Questions
Since the role involves supporting business development, be ready to discuss your experience in engaging with contractors and developing new opportunities. Think of specific instances where you contributed to winning projects or enhancing service offerings.
✨Align with Company Values
Mott MacDonald places a strong emphasis on equality, diversity, and inclusion. Familiarise yourself with their values and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment. This alignment can set you apart as a candidate who fits well within their culture.
