Project Director

ESP Utilities Group; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utilities management firm in Leatherhead is seeking a Project Director to lead the planning and delivery of major water and energy infrastructure projects. This role requires over 10 years of experience, including 5 years in leadership, and a proven track record in regulated infrastructure. The successful candidate will oversee project managers, manage P&L, and engage with clients and regulators. Competitive benefits and a focus on safety and compliance are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• 10+ years delivering or managing utilities infrastructure, with 5+ years in leadership roles.
• Proven track record in regulated infrastructure.
• Strong communication skills with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, procurement, delivery, and commissioning of utilities projects.
• Ensure safe, compliant, on-time, and on-budget outcomes.
• Support as the key senior interface to clients and regulators.

Skills

Leadership & Performance

Stakeholder Management

Commercial Acumen

Communication

Risk Management

Education

Chartered Engineer (CEng/PE) or equivalent

Professional certifications (PMP, APM, PRINCE2)

Tools

BIM (ISO 19650)

Job description

As the Project Director you will lead the end-to-end planning, procurement, delivery, and commissioning of major water, energy and other utilities plants and associated infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe, compliant, on-time and on-budget outcomes.
• Own the program P&L and portfolio outcomes.
• Oversee internal and external project managers.
• Support as the key senior interface to clients, regulators, and other public sector agencies., Strategy & Governance
• Program & Portfolio Management
• Financial Management & P&L Ownership
• Procurement, Tendering & Contracting
• Delivery & Construction Management
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Stakeholder & External Relations

Qualifications

• People Leadership & Performance
  10+ years delivering or managing utilities infrastructure, with 5+ years in leadership roles.
• Proven track record in either water/wastewater regulated infrastructure or heat/cooling non-regulated infrastructure.
• Strong communicator with senior stakeholders including client, regulator and other public sector bodies.
• Strong commercial acumen: P&L management, design and build appointments and any associated claims/variations.
• Experience in program management, cost management, risk & change management.
• Regulatory familiarity with utilities networks such as drinking water standards, environmental permitting, planning approvals.
• Health & Safety leadership and quality assurance experience.

Preferred

• Chartered Engineer (CEng/PE) or equivalent in Civil/Mechanical/Process/Environmental Engineering.
• Professional certifications: PMP, APM, PRINCE2, or NEC/FIDIC accreditation.
• Experience with BIM (ISO 19650), ISO 55001 asset management, ISO 9001 quality.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement and contract forms (NEC Options, FIDIC, EPC/DB).
• Experience delivering in alliance/framework or multi-party collaboration models.

Core Competencies

• Leadership & Influence - Sets vision, aligns stakeholders, resolves conflicts.
• Commercial & Contracting - Negotiation, change control
• Technical Judgement - Process understanding, constructability, commissioning.
• Regulatory Savvy - Navigates approvals, audits, statutory constraints.
• Stakeholder Management - Public sector, community, regulatory, political interfaces.
• Risk & Assurance - Proactive mitigation, scenario planning, recovery strategies.
• Communication - Executive-ready reporting, clear escalation, public briefings.
• Delivery Excellence - Drives schedule and budget adherence with uncompromising safety.