Overview

Position: Project Director

Location: Ashton-under-Lyne with hybrid working available

Salary: £100-110k (Neg DOE), car/allowance, bonus and excellent benefits package

Our Client: Is an integrated design and build solution provider operating in the water sector. They have over 1,000 staff working across eight regional centres.

The Role: Our client is looking to strengthen our Delivery team with a Project Director based near Ashton-under-Lyne working on the United Utilities framework.

You will report directly to the Regional Operations Director, and you will have full accountability for the successful delivery of a high-value, high risk wastewater treatment project involving multi stakeholders, delivered under NEC4. You will drive the integration of multi-disciplinary teams to deliver complex 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.

Project Scope: Provide a new Storm Treatment Facility and large scale Activated Sludge Treatment facility to an existing WwTW, with a total Design and Build value circa £70m-£100m. The project will be delivered in a phased approach. The Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) Stage started January 2025, working towards agreeing the process solution and preferred outline design by December 2025 before entering into Engineering & Construction Contract (ECC) targeting site works starting in January 2026.

Responsibilities

• 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 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.

Experience & 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

• CEng, MICE, MIET, or equivalent professional membership.
• Experience working within or alongside major water companies.
• Familiarity with modern construction technologies, digital twins, and smart infrastructure.

Package & Benefits

• A competitive salary, bonus, car/car allowance
• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays (with an additional 5 days available to buy)
• Contribution Pension scheme, Life Assurance, Health Insurance
• Private Medical Insurance and many more benefits including - cycle to work scheme, discounts and savings Hub, kids pass etc.

Key Words

• Project Manager
• Senior Project Manager
• Project Management
• Project Delivery
• Project Director
• Project Execution
• Design & Build
• Construction
• Contracts
• Contractual
• NEC
• Water Industry
• Water Sector
• Water Treatment
• Wastewater
• Sewage
• Utilities
• Power Generation
• Power Sector
• Nuclear
• Energy Sector
• Energy from Waste
• Infrastructure
• Anaerobic Digestion
• Project Planning
• Risk Management