Associate Director - Design Manager - Water in London
Associate Director - Design Manager - Water

Associate Director - Design Manager - Water in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead design management for major water infrastructure projects and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Company: Join a top-tier consultancy making waves in the UK water sector.
  • Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, strong career progression, and a chance to work on high-profile projects.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the water industry while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in water infrastructure design management and strong communication skills required.
  • Other info: Be part of a nationally recognised team with exciting long-term projects.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.

Location: London or Leeds (hybrid working)

Level: Design Manager / Senior Design Manager / Associate Director

Sector: Water & Wastewater Infrastructure

The Opportunity

We’re supporting a well-known, top-tier consultancy within the UK water sector as they continue to strengthen their design management capability across major water and wastewater infrastructure programmes. With a strong national presence and long-standing relationships across multiple water company frameworks, this consultancy is delivering some of the most complex and high-profile water projects in the UK. They are now seeking an experienced Design Manager to play a key role in coordinating multi-disciplinary design teams and ensuring successful project delivery. This role is open up to Associate Director level for the right individual and can be based in London or Leeds, with flexible hybrid working.

The Role

You will lead design management activities across water and wastewater infrastructure projects, taking responsibility for the coordination, assurance, and delivery of technical design outputs. Key responsibilities include:

  • Leading and coordinating multi-disciplinary design teams on water and wastewater infrastructure projects
  • Managing the design process from optioneering through to detailed design and construction support
  • Ensuring compliance with water industry standards, asset owner requirements, and regulatory frameworks
  • Managing design interfaces between civil, process, MEICA, and delivery partners
  • Controlling design risk, change, and governance processes
  • Acting as a key point of contact for water company clients and framework partners
  • Supporting bids, framework submissions, and work-winning activity
  • At Associate Director level: contributing to team leadership, mentoring, and strategic growth within the water business

About You

This position requires proven, hands-on experience in the water sector. Candidates without direct water or wastewater infrastructure experience are unlikely to be suitable. You will have:

  • Demonstrable experience as a Design Manager or Senior Design Manager on water and/or wastewater infrastructure projects
  • Strong understanding of UK water industry standards, design governance, and delivery models
  • Experience coordinating multi-disciplinary technical teams
  • Confidence working in a consultancy or framework environment with water company clients
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

At Associate Director level, you will also bring:

  • Experience leading design management teams or functions within water frameworks
  • Commercial awareness and involvement in bids or client growth
  • A track record of mentoring and developing design managers

Why Join?

  • Opportunity to work with a top-tier, well-established consultancy in the water sector
  • Clearly water-focused role with long-term AMP workload
  • Strong progression opportunities within a nationally recognised water team

Associate Director - Design Manager - Water in London employer: Terra Recruitment

Join a leading consultancy in the UK water sector, where you will have the opportunity to work on high-profile water and wastewater infrastructure projects. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, this company offers clear progression pathways and a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid working from either London or Leeds, while being part of a team that is committed to delivering excellence in design management.
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Contact Detail:

Terra Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Associate Director - Design Manager - Water in London

✨Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the water sector! Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meet-ups. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

✨Showcase Your Expertise

When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your experiences and successes in managing design teams and projects. Let them see how your skills align perfectly with their needs.

✨Tailor Your Approach

Every company is different, so make sure you tailor your conversations to highlight how your experience fits their specific projects and challenges. Show them you understand their work and how you can contribute.

✨Apply Through Our Website

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director - Design Manager - Water in London

Design Management
Water Industry Standards
Project Delivery
Multi-Disciplinary Coordination
Technical Design Assurance
Regulatory Compliance
Stakeholder Management
Risk Management
Change Management
Mentoring
Commercial Awareness
Bidding and Work-Winning
Communication Skills
Team Leadership

Some tips for your application 🫑

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Design Manager in the water sector. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description, especially your hands-on experience in water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use it to showcase your understanding of UK water industry standards and your experience managing multi-disciplinary design teams. Make it personal and engaging!

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; highlight your achievements in previous roles. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead design management activities and ensure successful project delivery in the water sector.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with a top-tier consultancy in the water sector.

How to prepare for a job interview at Terra Recruitment

✨Know Your Water Industry Standards

Make sure you brush up on the UK water industry standards and regulatory frameworks before your interview. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you understand the technical requirements of the role and can navigate the complexities of water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Design Manager or Associate Director, you'll need to lead multi-disciplinary teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully coordinated teams in the past, managed design processes, and ensured project delivery. Highlighting your leadership experience will demonstrate your capability to take charge in this role.

✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions

Expect questions about your experience with clients and stakeholders. Think of specific instances where you’ve effectively communicated and managed relationships in a consultancy environment. This will help illustrate your strong communication skills and ability to act as a key point of contact.

✨Discuss Your Commercial Awareness

Be ready to talk about your involvement in bids and client growth. Understanding the commercial side of projects is crucial, especially at the Associate Director level. Share any relevant experiences that showcase your ability to contribute to work-winning activities and strategic growth within the water business.

Associate Director - Design Manager - Water in London
Terra Recruitment
Location: London

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