At a Glance
- Tasks: Support design leads in delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions and coordinate project activities.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a team-focused company dedicated to delivering water for life.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, 28 days leave, and health cash plan.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent support for personal growth and flexible arrangements.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in engineering and infrastructure with plenty of learning opportunities.
- Qualifications: Enthusiasm and organisation are key; experience in engineering or related fields is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Falmer (Hybrid Working)
Salary: Salary and package are to be discussed at the screening stage.
Are you someone who enjoys working in a collaborative environment and is eager to learn from experienced professionals? Do you have a keen interest in engineering, construction, or infrastructure projects and want to build your career in a supportive, team-focused setting? Southern Water is looking for a Project Design Lead to join our Engineering and Technical Solutions team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone early in their career or looking to step into the infrastructure sector, with plenty of scope to learn, grow, and contribute to meaningful projects.
Job Overview
You’ll support our design leads and project teams in delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working across different disciplines, helping to coordinate activities, and ensuring smooth communication between stakeholders.
Responsibilities will include:
- Team Support: Assist in coordinating engineering and project teams, helping to keep tasks on track and organised.
- Stakeholder Communication: Help maintain clear communication across departments including Operations, Environmental Enabling, and Engineering & Construction.
- Design Administration: Support the review and tracking of design documentation, timelines, and compliance requirements.
- Health & Safety Awareness: Promote safe working practices and help ensure design activities align with H&S standards.
- Project Coordination: Assist project managers with planning and tracking design-related activities and budgets.
About You
We’re looking for someone enthusiastic, organised, and eager to learn. You might have a degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field, or you may be looking to transition into this area from another role. What matters most is your willingness to grow, collaborate, and contribute to a team.
Experience in infrastructure or construction is helpful but not essential. Familiarity with tools like MS Project, BIM, or NEC contracts is a bonus, but training and support will be provided.
Package
This role will be full time Monday to Friday 37 hours a week. Southern Water operate a hybrid approach to working between our Falmer office and home. We are offering a salary of up to TBC per annum depending on skills and experience as well as other benefits including:
- Company and performance-related bonus
- Generous pension up to 10% company contribution
- 28 days annual leave
- Life assurance equal to 4x salary
- Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
- Health Cash Plan
- Full funded eye tests
- Two paid volunteering days a year
- Occupational health service
- Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
- Digital GP service
- Study support may be available for job-related qualifications
- Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options
- Cycle to work scheme
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?
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That’s why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve. Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position.
Privacy Statement: Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application. All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.
Project Design Lead employer: SouthernWaterServices
Southern Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in Durrington, Worthing, where you can lead the transformation of digital collaboration for over 3,000 colleagues. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor a skilled team while driving innovative solutions that enhance user experience and governance across SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365. Join us at a pivotal time of change, where your contributions will directly impact the future of water services in the UK, supported by a culture that values diverse perspectives and fosters meaningful engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Design Lead
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like SouthernWaterServices, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Project Design Lead at SouthernWaterServices.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Design Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at SouthernWaterServices
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
