Senior Project Design Lead

Advance TRS; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the environmental sector seeks a Senior Project Design Lead to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions for major infrastructure projects in the UK. This role requires strong leadership skills and experience in engineering design, aimed at shaping the future of water and waste services. Offering a collaborative work environment and attractive benefits, this is a unique chance for ambitious professionals to make a significant impact.

Benefits

Company and performance-related bonus

Up to 11% employer pension contribution

25 days annual leave

Life assurance (4x salary)

Hybrid working (office and remote)

Salary sacrifice electric car scheme

Health Cash Plan and digital GP access

Discounts with 800+ retailers

Two paid volunteering days per year

Support for job-related qualifications

Qualifications

• Experience in engineering design within the water or utilities sector.
• Strong grasp of project management and health & safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead design teams to deliver standardized technical solutions.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Set realistic design timelines and track delivery progress.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Risk Assessment

Sustainability

Education

Degree or HND/HNC in Engineering or Environmental Science

Membership of a relevant professional institute

Job description

Job Title:
Senior Project Design Lead

Salary:
Starting from 65,600 per annum (dependent on experience)

Location:
Falmer, Brighton (Hybrid)

Type:
Permanent, Full-Time (37 hours per week)

About the Role:

As a Senior Project Design Lead, you will play a vital role in delivering technically sound, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective design solutions for a major bioresources transformation programme. You will lead cross-functional teams, influence key stakeholders, and ensure designs meet strategic, regulatory, and operational expectations across the organisation.

About the Client:

Our client is undertaking a significant bioresources investment programme as part of AMP8. This includes the consolidation of sludge treatment centres, development of new dewatering hubs, and compliance with the Industrial Emissions Directive-making this a rare opportunity to work on large-scale infrastructure projects without legacy operational constraints.

Key Responsibilities:

Safety & Environment

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards including CDM regulations.
• Develop and manage risk assessments and safety strategies.
• Promote sustainability and lead by example on health and safety.

Design & Technical Leadership

• Lead design teams to deliver standardised, innovative, long-term technical solutions.
• Ensure design quality, budget control, and alignment with corporate standards.
• Coordinate and manage external suppliers and internal resources.

Innovation

• Drive continuous improvement and challenge legacy processes.
• Champion digital design practices and collaborate with supply chain partners.

Financial & Commercial

• Deliver cost-effective solutions aligned to project budgets.
• Support financial forecasting and budget planning with project managers.
• Influence stakeholders to align on economically sound designs.

Programme Delivery

• Set realistic design timelines and track delivery progress.
• Anticipate and mitigate potential delays proactively.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Ensure designs meet customer, environmental, and regulatory needs.
• Represent our client at industry events through presentations and thought leadership.

What Our Client is Looking For:

• Degree or HND/HNC in Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Membership of a relevant professional institute (Chartered or working towards).
• Experience in engineering design within the water or utilities sector.
• Strong grasp of project management and health & safety standards.
• Collaborative mindset with strong leadership and communication skills.

What Our Client Offers:

• Competitive salary
• Company and performance-related bonus
• Up to 11% employer pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Hybrid working (office and remote)
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months)
• Health Cash Plan and digital GP access
• Eye care and occupational health support
• Discounts with 800+ retailers
• Two paid volunteering days per year
• Support for job-related qualifications
• Enhanced maternity leave and flexible return-to-work options
• Cycle to work scheme

Eligibility:

You must have the right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Opportunity for Growth:

This is a career-defining opportunity to contribute to a major environmental infrastructure upgrade, with exposure to pioneering design methods, digital innovation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. You'll help deliver a legacy project shaping the future of water and waste services in the UK.

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.