At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative design projects that shape the future of water infrastructure.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in transforming the water industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous pension, health benefits, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability and customer service in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in water infrastructure design and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Are you ready to shape the future of water infrastructure across the South? Southern Water is looking for a Senior Project Design Lead to play a pivotal role in driving innovative, sustainable engineering solutions across some of our most critical major projects. This is your chance to influence multi‐million‐pound programmes that will directly improve environmental outcomes, resilience, and customer service—while helping us deliver our Water for Life vision.
About the role
As a Senior Project Design Lead, you’ll be the technical authority behind our most complex infrastructure and non‐infrastructure projects. You’ll lead multidisciplinary teams, guide design strategy from concept to commissioning, and ensure we deliver top‐quality, low‐TotEx solutions that keep us ahead of regulatory and customer expectations. You will be the go‐to expert for design excellence—driving improvements, challenging norms, and embedding innovation across the programme.
What you will be responsible for:
- Lead Design & Technical Delivery
- Take ownership of all design quality and technical integrity
- Drive lowest whole‐life cost (TotEx) design solutions
- Manage design scope, timelines, budgets and resource allocation
- Work collaboratively with Operations, Asset Strategy & Planning, contractors and supply chain partners
- Innovation & Best Practice
- Challenge existing processes to improve design efficiency
- Introduce digital, standardised and modern design approaches
- Apply industry best practice to drive continual improvement
- Work closely with contractor partners to enhance delivery methods
- People & Culture
- Mentor and support Project Design Leads and Assistant Design Leads
- Help create a positive, open and innovative team environment
- Encourage learning, creativity and continuous improvement
- Financial & Programme Accountability
- Ensure design solutions outperform budget expectations
- Produce accurate design cost estimates and monthly forecasts
- Maintain programme delivery and flag potential delays early
- Support the removal of blockers and assist in resolving key issues
- Safety, Environment & Customers
- Embed safety, sustainability and environmental responsibility into all designs
- Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental standards
- Deliver design solutions that meet customer and regulatory expectations
What you’ll bring to the role:
- A strong background in water (or utilities) infrastructure design and project delivery.
- Experience leading complex, multidisciplinary design work.
- Strong communication skills, able to engage both technical and non‐technical stakeholders.
- MEng/BEng/BSc or HND/HNC in Engineering, Environmental or another relevant technical discipline.
- Membership of a relevant professional institution (Chartered or working towards).
Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.
You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation.
“Your potential matters more than a perfect checklist. If this role excites you and you believe you can make an impact, we want to hear from you! Skills can be learned—passion, drive, and fresh perspectives are what truly set candidates apart. Don’t hesitate—take the leap and apply!”
If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself.
Our Commitment to Diversity
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Interested in the role?
We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so if you are interested in the position please do send your application over today to ensure consideration. We truly appreciate every application. Please note, that due to the volume of interest, we may not be able to provide personalised feedback to all applicants.
Our Benefits
- Company and performance-related bonus
- Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution
- Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary
- Health benefits through a Cash Plan
- Two paid community volunteering days a year
- 25 days annual holiday
- Occupational health service
- Retail discount app
- We offer competitive maternity leave, and flexible return to work options
Everybody Welcome
We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to facilitate your participation in the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Need flexibility in your work?
Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?
Senior Project Design Lead employer: Southern Water group
Southern Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Falmer where innovation and sustainability are at the forefront of our mission to transform water infrastructure. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive benefits including a generous pension scheme, health benefits, and opportunities for community engagement, all while fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration that empowers our team to make a meaningful impact on environmental outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Design Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the water infrastructure sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about roles that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Southern Water's recent projects and initiatives. Show us you’re genuinely interested in our mission and how you can contribute to our Water for Life vision. Tailor your examples to highlight your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of a follow-up! After an interview, drop us a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in our minds as we make decisions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. We love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your application status!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Design Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in water infrastructure design. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Senior Project Design Lead, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for sustainable engineering solutions shine through! We’re looking for candidates who are not just qualified but also genuinely excited about making a difference in the water industry.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role. We appreciate clarity as much as creativity!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly and can consider you for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of water infrastructure design and project delivery. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will show your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Project Design Lead, you'll be expected to lead multidisciplinary teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, highlighting your ability to mentor others and foster a positive team environment.
✨Emphasise Innovation
Southern Water is looking for someone who can challenge existing processes and introduce modern design approaches. Think about times when you've implemented innovative solutions or improved efficiency in your previous roles, and be ready to share these stories.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Prepare to discuss how you've effectively engaged with both technical and non-technical stakeholders in the past. This could include presenting complex ideas in an understandable way or collaborating with different departments to achieve project goals.
