Associate Director - Water Design

Penguin Recruitment; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment Ltd. is seeking an Associate Director - Water Design in the Manchester/Tamworth area. The role leads delivery of water non-infrastructure projects for major UK water utility frameworks and provides senior technical oversight across civil, mechanical, electrical, and process disciplines.

The position requires chartered status, extensive UK water sector experience, and strong leadership. Attendance 1–2 days per week at the Tamworth office with good transport links from

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering is required.
• Chartered Engineer with a recognised professional institution.
• Significant experience within the UK water sector.
• Proven leadership across multidisciplinary design teams.
• Strong understanding of UK water industry standards and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership across water non-infrastructure design projects.
• Oversee multidisciplinary engineering teams delivering civil, mechanical and electrical design solutions.
• Act as a senior technical authority across project portfolios.
• Maintain strong client relationships and represent the organisation at technical and programme reviews.
• Support business development, proposals and framework delivery.
• Guide and mentor senior engineers and design leads.

Skills

Leadership

Water design

Civil engineering

Communication

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Chartered Engineer

Job description

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - WATER DESIGN

Location: Manchester / Tamworth

Salary: £70,000 - £85,000

A rare opportunity has arisen for an experienced Associate Director - Water Design to take a strategic leadership role delivering water non-infrastructure projects within the UK water sector. This Associate Director - Water Design position offers significant influence across technical delivery, team leadership and client engagement within a growing engineering consultancy.

The business is seeking an Associate Director - Water Design to oversee the delivery of water non-infrastructure projects for a major UK water utility framework. In this role, you will provide senior technical oversight while supporting the growth and development of multidisciplinary engineering teams across civil, mechanical, electrical and process disciplines.

The client's offices are based in Tamworth and require attendance one to two days per week. With strong transport connections, this role is well suited to candidates based in Manchester who are open to travelling for a senior leadership position.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership across water non-infrastructure design projects
• Oversee multidisciplinary engineering teams delivering civil, mechanical and electrical design solutions
• Act as a senior technical authority across project portfolios
• Maintain strong client relationships and represent the organisation at technical and programme reviews
• Support business development, proposals and framework delivery
• Guide and mentor senior engineers and design leads

About You

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• Chartered Engineer with a recognised professional institution
• Significant experience within the UK water sector
• Proven leadership experience across multidisciplinary design teams
• Strong understanding of UK water industry standards and regulatory frameworks
• Excellent communication, leadership and commercial awareness

Why Apply

This Associate Director - Water Design role offers a salary of £70,000 - £85,000 and the opportunity to influence the delivery of major water sector programmes while shaping the growth of a consultancy business.

Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available.