Designer Project Lead

Job Title: Project Design Lead Salary: £55,000 to £65,000 (dependent on experience)Location: Falmer, Brighton (Hybrid)Type: Permanent, Full-Time (Hybrid working)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 & EnvironmentEnsure compliance with CDM regulations and all health, safety, environmental, and quality standardsDevelop project-specific health and safety strategies and risk assessmentsChampion sustainable and safe engineering practicesDesign & Technical LeadershipLead multidisciplinary design teams to deliver technically robust and cost-effective solutionsDrive standardisation and innovation in engineering designEnsure delivery quality, resource planning, and supplier managementInnovationPromote digital design solutions and challenge conventional approachesWork collaboratively with supply chain partners to adopt industry best practicesFinancial & CommercialDeliver solutions aligned with project budgets and performance metricsWork closely with project and programme managers to track costs and provide forecastsInfluence internal and external stakeholders on efficient design investmentProgramme DeliveryMonitor design progress against programme milestonesProactively manage delays and maintain delivery momentumCustomer & Stakeholder EngagementEnsure technical solutions align with customer and regulatory expectationsRepresent our client at industry events, contributing thought leadership through presentations and papersWhat Our Client is Looking For:Degree or HND/HNC in Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related fieldChartered (or working towards) membership of a recognised professional institutionExperience in project management and engineering within the water or utilities sectorIn-depth knowledge of H&S standards and regulatory frameworksWhat Our Client Offers:Salary up to £65,000 per annum (DOE)Hybrid working modelCompany and performance-related bonusGenerous pension (up to 11% company contribution)25 days annual leave + bank holidaysLife assurance (4x salary)Health Cash Plan and Digital GP accessSalary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months)Cycle to work schemeFunded eye tests and study supportTwo paid volunteering days per yearOccupational health and well-being supportDiscounts with over 800 retailersEnhanced maternity policies and flexible return-to-work optionsEligibility: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.

Created: 2025-07-23