Project Director

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:

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 includes: 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