Project Director - Sandown

MWH Treatment Limited; Falmer; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm is seeking an experienced Project Director based in Falmer, United Kingdom. This role involves strategic leadership and accountability for the delivery of large-scale Water and Wastewater projects under NEC4 contracts. The ideal candidate will lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage complex stakeholder interactions, aiming for best-in-class outcomes in programme, cost, quality, and compliance. Strong experience in project management, water sector frameworks, and budget management is essential. Hybrid working options are available.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a Project Manager and strong experience as a Project Director.
• Strong understanding of UK water sector frameworks and regulatory bodies.
• High-level strategic thinking skills with the ability to deliver complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for large-scale Water and Wastewater projects.
• Oversee design development, ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Manage budget and cost control across project phases.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Budgeting and cost control

Collaboration

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Job description

We are looking to strengthen our Delivery team with a Project Director based at Sandown with hybrid working available.

You will report directly to the Framework Director/Operations Manager and you will have full accountability for the successful delivery of high-value, high-risk projects involving multi stakeholders, often delivered under NEC4 contracts, alliance frameworks, or joint ventures. You will drive the integration of multi-disciplinary teams to deliver complex Water/Wastewater treatment facilities and related infrastructure. From early-stage design through to commissioning and handover, your leadership will be key to achieving best-in-class outcomes across programme, cost, quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Key responsibilities will include:

Strategic Project Leadership

• Provide overall direction and strategic leadership for large-scale Design & Build Water and Wastewater projects, aligning delivery with client and regulatory requirements (e.g., Ofwat, EA, DWI).
• Define and execute project delivery strategies, construction methodologies, and governance structures.
• Lead integrated design and delivery teams, ensuring collaboration between engineering, construction, commercial, commissioning and environmental functions.

Design Management & Technical Assurance

• Oversee early-stage design development, feasibility studies, optioneering, and value engineering.
• Ensure robust technical solutions that meet asset performance, sustainability, and regulatory requirements.
• Champion the use of digital design tools (e.g. BIM Level 2+, Common Data Environments) and ensure design buildability.

Construction Delivery & Programme Control

• Drive the execution of construction works through effective planning, contractor coordination, and performance management.
• Ensure alignment of construction activities with design intent, project milestones, and safety protocols.
• Maintain visibility on critical path activities, commissioning schedules, and final handover to operations teams.

Commercial & Contract Management

• Full accountability for budget management and cost control across all project phases.
• Administer D&B contracts (typically NEC3/NEC4) and manage risk allocation, change control, and dispute resolution.
• Lead commercial negotiations, procurement strategy, and contractor/supplier engagement.

Stakeholder Engagement & Client Interface

• Act as the senior representative to clients, framework partners, statutory bodies, and key internal stakeholders.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with Water Companies, Joint Venture partners, and delivery consortia.
• Lead stakeholder forums, site tours, community engagement, and client reporting.

General

• Ensure your own continuous professional development by participating in external networking/conferences/associations/groups, to stay current on industry changes and innovations.
• Maintain a positive and solution-oriented approach to work, providing open and honest feedback.
• Undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this role.
• In all internal and external contact, present a professional and positive image of the department and MWH Treatment as well as maintaining mutually constructive, positive and beneficial relationships.
• Take all reasonable steps to ensure appropriate confidentiality.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Environmental Engineering or a related field.
• Extensive experience as a Project Manager and strong experience as a Project Director or equivalent leadership role.
• Strong understanding of UK water sector frameworks (e.g., AMP7/AMP8), CDM 2015, and regulatory bodies (Ofwat, EA, DWI).
• High-level strategic thinking and the ability to deliver complex projects under time, budget, and regulatory pressure.
• Leadership of integrated design and construction teams across multidisciplinary project environments.
• Deep commercial knowledge including NEC3/NEC4 contracts, alliance models, and risk management.
• Strong technical acumen with the ability to challenge and guide design and engineering solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication at board, JV, and operational levels.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer (CEng), MICE, MIET, or equivalent professional membership.
• Experience working within or alongside major water companies (e.g., Thames, Severn Trent, Anglian, United Utilities).
• Familiarity with modern construction technologies, digital twins, and smart infrastructure.

Technical Competencies

• Expert1. Contract Management
• Expert2. Governance
• Expert3. Budgeting and cost control
• Expert4. Risk, Opportunities and issue management
• Expert5. Project Planning (schedule)
• Expert6. Digital Delivery
• Expert7. Procurement (negotiations and management)
• Expert8. Solutions development (pre-construction / design development)
• Expert9. Client, stakeholder and conflict management
• Expert10. Resource management
• Expert11. Change management
• Expert12. Quality management

Behavioural competencies

• Expert1. Communication
• Expert2. Collaboration
• Expert3. Client Focus
• Expert4. Striving for Results
• Expert5. Integrity, Trust and Respect
• Expert6. Coaching and Providing Feedback
• Expert7. Leadership