Associate Director – Water Design

PENGUIN RECRUITMENT LTD; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment Ltd seeks an Associate Director – Water Design to lead major water non-infrastructure projects in the UK. Based in Manchester, with travel to Tamworth, you will provide senior technical oversight and strategic leadership across civil, mechanical and electrical disciplines.

The role requires Chartered Engineer status and substantial UK water sector experience, with a focus on client engagement, governance, and business growth.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status with a recognized institution.
• Extensive UK water sector experience.
• Proven leadership across multidisciplinary design teams.

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

Client engagement

Technical oversight

UK water knowledge

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.