Associate Director – Water & Infrastructure Design

AlíaGestiónIntegraldeServicios,S.L.U; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in Greater London is seeking an Associate Director to lead their Water & Infrastructure design teams. You will manage high-profile projects, ensuring delivery excellence while mentoring future leaders. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years of experience in design management within multidisciplinary environments. This role offers a competitive salary, hybrid work model, and strong professional development support. Join us to drive innovation and sustainable solutions in engineering.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Hybrid Work Model

Flexible Hours

Professional Development Support

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous Annual Leave

Qualifications

• 15+ years experience in water, utilities, or civil infrastructure design and management.
• Proven experience in design management and project leadership.
• Strong commercial understanding with NEC/FIDIC/PWC contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead design team to deliver water and infrastructure solutions.
• Manage design reviews and project documentation.
• Deliver projects to time, cost, and quality standards.

Skills

Design coordination

Risk management

Client-facing skills

Digital design tools

Team leadership

Education

Degree in Civil, Process, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Chartered or near-Chartered status (ICE, CIWEM)

Tools

BIM workflows

Job description

Associate Director – Water & Infrastructure Design

Company Description

A global leader in engineering and technology consultancy, Ayesa operates in over 40 countries, driving innovation in water systems, infrastructure, renewable energy, and digital transformation. With a commitment to sustainability and inclusive growth, we create the systems that keep communities thriving.

We’re seeking an ambitious Associate Director to lead our Water & Infrastructure design teams, manage high-profile projects, and drive technical and commercial success. This is an opportunity to take ownership of design management and delivery excellence, while mentoring future leaders in the industry.

Position

🔍 What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and develop the design team to develop industry leading engineering design and solutions in the delivery of water, wastewater, sewage treatment, drainage, and utilities infrastructure from concept through detailed design and construction
• Oversee Design Management—coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, manage design reviews, approvals, QA compliance, and project documentation
• Work collaboratively with the Water Director, Project Leads, Commercial, HR & People Lead and all key stakeholders to deliver best value solutions.
• Deliver first class stakeholder management and engagement by providing clear, transparent and timely updates whilst championing collaboration and knowledge sharing/ transfer.
• Develop new ways of working, to reduce carbon, increase biodiversity, address climate change, and embrace innovations and new digital technologies.
• Manage the delivery of design in accordance with the design management plan, design brief, including client requirements, cost, programme, best practice, design standards, design responsibilities, BIM strategy and contract agreement.
• Lead buildability, risk, opportunity and value engineering reviews
• Oversee the Technical deliverables ensuring they are produced within the required timescales, costs are properly managed and technical change is tightly controlled.
• Deliver leading edge collaborative design by ensuring teams are synchronised and aligned in their processes and approaches to deliver the highest standards safely and consistently.
• Build and Maintain Client Relationships through clear communication, trust, and technical leadership
• Deliver Projects to Time, Cost, and Quality standards, including oversight of commercial and contractual performance
• Mentor and Develop Engineering Teams to strengthen capability and promote design excellence
• Contribute to Business Development—prepare proposals, design methodologies, and tender submissions
• Champion Innovation and Sustainability in design solutions across all sectors
• Collaborate Across Business Units with structural, geotechnical, and environmental teams to deliver fully integrated design solutions
• Monitor and report on design progress on a weekly and monthly basis, including taking action to maintain design delivery to time, cost, quality and safety requirements.

Requirements

🧠 What You Bring

Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in Civil, Process, Mechanical or Electrical, or Water Engineering (or related discipline)
• Chartered or near-Chartered status (ICE, CIWEM, MEng, BEng or equivalent)
• 15+ years’ experience in water, utilities, or civil infrastructure design and management
• Proven experience in design management and project leadership within multidisciplinary environments
• Strong commercial understanding, including experience with NEC/FIDIC/PWC contracts

Skills & Strengths

• Deep knowledge of design standards, UK regulations, WIMES and health & safety legislation.
• Expertise in design coordination and risk management for complex infrastructure projects.
• Strong client-facing and communication skills at senior levels.
• Track record of successful team leadership, mentoring, and staff development.
• Ability to manage budgets, resource plans, and P&L targets.
• Proficiency in digital design tools and BIM workflows.

Other information

🎁 What’s In It for You

✅ Competitive Salary commensurate with skills and experience.

🏡 Hybrid Work Model (2–3 days from home).

🕓 Flexible Hours 37.5 per week (Core: 10am–4pm Mon–Thu, 10am–3pm Fri).

📚 Professional Development and Chartership Support.

🤝 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

🌱 Sustainability & Innovation-Focused Culture.

🌴 Generous Annual Leave with Additional Days Based on Service.

We’re Inclusive by Design

Ayesa is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value and celebrate diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to age, disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background or neurodiversity. We believe that a diverse workforce fosters innovation and stronger outcomes. We are committed to inclusive hiring practices, providing reasonable adjustments for applicants and employees with disabilities, and ensuring equal access to opportunities for learning, development, and progression across our organisation.