Overview

Project Director Southern Water Framework — Location: Falmer (initially) moving to Otterbourne, Hampshire; Sector: Water; Contract: Contract (open to permanent); Salary: Competitive + benefits.

About the Role

We are looking to strengthen our Senior Leadership Team with an experienced Project Director to lead delivery within our Southern Water Framework. You will deliver a range of vital construction schemes to maintain and improve Southern Water’s water supply and wastewater treatment assets across the South and Southeast regions.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote and actively demonstrate collaborative behaviours across the Southern Water framework.
• Develop and maintain a high–performance culture, driving efficiencies and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with the Southern Water client teams.
• Champion health, safety, wellbeing, and environmental excellence creating a culture that achieves Zero LTI and RIDDOR incidents.
• Take full lifecycle accountability for project success from design and procurement through to commissioning and handover.
• Communicate effectively across all stakeholder groups to maximise collaboration and leverage Costain’s wider capabilities.
• Ensure governance and compliance with Southern Water and Costain requirements.
• Deliver commercial and financial performance in line with business objectives and budgets.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience leading complex projects or programmes in a collaborative delivery environment, ideally within the water or utilities sector.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with a track record of driving mutual success.
• Significant experience managing multiple projects within a major framework or programme.
• A people–focused leader with extensive line management and team development experience.
• Excellent understanding of CDM Regulations, construction management, and engineering principles.
• Strong knowledge of collaborative contractual forms (e.g. NEC).
• Commercially astute with solid financial and analytical abilities.
• A solutions–focused mindset with the ability to guide teams through problem–solving and change.
• Adaptable and resilient, able to respond effectively to challenges and shape outcomes.

Qualifications

• HNC/HND or Degree in a relevant Construction or Engineering discipline (essential).
• NEC Project Manager Accreditation preferred.
• APMP (Association of Project Management) preferred.
• Senior Leaders Safety Training certification