Design Director - Water

Design Director - Water

Join Jacobs and help reinvent the water sector in the UK.

The UK water sector is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. The Independent Water Commission’s review, coupled with unprecedented investment, offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape water and wastewater infrastructure.

We are seeking Design Directors to lead high‑profile, client‑facing leadership roles supporting key clients including United Utilities, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, Severn Trent, and Anglian Water. You will guide multidisciplinary teams, foster innovation, and ensure excellence from feasibility through commissioning.

• Serve as the technical authority, ensuring compliance with standards and UK CDM regulations.
• Lead value engineering, buildability reviews, and design optimisation.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and contribute to framework leadership.
• Oversee design management, scheduling, risk, change control, and financial performance.
• Drive innovation, including standardisation and design automation.
• Embed constructability and commissioning into design approaches.
• Mentor design managers and engineers.
• Strengthen client relationships and support business development.

• Chartered Engineer with proven project experience in the water and wastewater sector.
• Leadership experience in design and project management for major infrastructure programmes.
• Experience integrating multidisciplinary engineering and construction.
• Working knowledge of NEC3/4 contracts.
• A collaborative mindset, with enthusiasm for problem solving, innovation, and team development.
• Confidence operating autonomously across complex projects.
• Clear, inclusive communication skills suited to diverse stakeholders.

• Design management (feasibility to detailed design and construction)
• Technical leadership and mentoring
• Collaborative planning and delivery
• Risk and change management
• Project management (financial and commercial awareness)
• Health, safety, and environmental leadership
• Quality assurance and standards
• Stakeholder engagement and client relationships

• Competitive salary reflecting skills and experience
• Flexible work arrangements (hybrid, part‑time from 24 hrs/week)
• Robust pension contributions up to 10%
• Comprehensive health coverage (single medical cover, Digital GP)
• Family planning support (fertility healthcare and services)
• Enhanced parental leave and programmes
• Life assurance at 4x salary
• Well‑being hub (Calm, Daily Burn)
• Professional development (membership fees, CPD)
• Community engagement (charity matched‑funding, volunteering)

Jacobs is committed to building vibrant communities and promoting safety, integrity, inclusion, and belonging. We provide a culture of caring and support flexible, hybrid working to help you maximize your potential.