Project Design Lead

JR United Kingdom; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK water sector seeks a Project Design Lead to manage the technical design of large-scale water infrastructure projects. This pivotal role oversees a significant £400M capital investment programme, ensuring innovative and sustainable solutions while promoting safety and quality standards.

Benefits

Company and performance-related bonus

Generous pension scheme (up to 11% company contribution)

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Life assurance (4x salary)

Health Cash Plan and Digital GP access

Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months)

Cycle to work scheme

Funded eye tests and study support

Two paid volunteering days per year

Occupational health and well-being support

Qualifications

• Experience in project management within the water or utilities sector.
• Chartered membership or working towards it.
• In-depth knowledge of health & safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards.
• Lead multidisciplinary design teams to deliver cost-effective solutions.
• Monitor design progress against programme milestones.

Skills

Project Management

Engineering

Regulatory Compliance

Education

Degree or HND/HNC in Engineering

Environmental Science

Job description

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Salary: £55,000 to £65,000 (dependent on experience)

Location: Falmer, Brighton (Hybrid)

About the Role:

This is a rare opportunity to manage the technical design of large-scale, high-impact water infrastructure projects. As a Project Design Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in a £400M capital investment programme across five of our client's most strategically important surface water treatment sites.

You'll be at the heart of transforming the resilience and quality of water supply, leading technical design teams, coordinating cross-discipline collaboration, and ensuring environmental, operational, and customer needs are all reflected in design decisions.

About the Client:

Our client is a major UK water company undertaking one of the largest infrastructure upgrades in the region. With sustainability, innovation, and resilience at the forefront of their agenda, they are committed to delivering long-term value for customers and the environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Safety & Environment

• Ensure compliance with CDM regulations and all health, safety, environmental, and quality standards
• Develop project-specific health and safety strategies and risk assessments
• Champion sustainable and safe engineering practices

Design & Technical Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams to deliver technically robust and cost-effective solutions
• Drive standardisation and innovation in engineering design
• Ensure delivery quality, resource planning, and supplier management
• Promote digital design solutions and challenge conventional approaches
• Work collaboratively with supply chain partners to adopt industry best practices
• Deliver solutions aligned with project budgets and performance metrics
• Work closely with project and programme managers to track costs and provide forecasts
• Influence internal and external stakeholders on efficient design investment
• Monitor design progress against programme milestones
• Proactively manage delays and maintain delivery momentum
• Ensure technical solutions align with customer and regulatory expectations
• Represent our client at industry events, contributing thought leadership through presentations and papers

What Our Client is Looking For:

• Degree or HND/HNC in Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field
• Chartered (or working towards) membership of a recognised professional institution
• Experience in project management and engineering within the water or utilities sector
• In-depth knowledge of H&S standards and regulatory frameworks

What Our Client Offers:

• Salary up to £65,000 per annum (DOE)
• Company and performance-related bonus
• Generous pension (up to 11% company contribution)
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Health Cash Plan and Digital GP access
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Funded eye tests and study support
• Two paid volunteering days per year
• Occupational health and well-being support
• Discounts with over 800 retailers
• Enhanced maternity policies and flexible return-to-work options

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. This role requires on-site presence (Brighton area) on a hybrid basis and regular interaction with design and operations teams.

Opportunity for Growth:

With exposure to one of the UK's largest water investment programmes and interaction across engineering, operations, and environmental disciplines, this role provides significant long-term career development in infrastructure leadership.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.