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
As Project Director, you will:
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Promote and actively demonstrate collaborative behaviours across the Southern Water framework.
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Develop and maintain a high-performance culture, driving efficiencies and continuous improvement.
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Build and maintain strong working relationships with the Southern Water client teams.
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Champion health, safety, wellbeing, and environmental excellence — creating a culture that achieves Zero LTI and RIDDOR incidents.
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Take full lifecycle accountability for project success — from design and procurement through to commissioning and handover.
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Communicate effectively across all stakeholder groups to maximise collaboration and leverage Costain’s wider capabilities.
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Ensure governance and compliance with Southern Water and Costain requirements.
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Deliver commercial and financial performance in line with business objectives and budgets.
Skills & Experience Required
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Proven experience leading complex projects or programmes in a collaborative delivery environment, ideally within the water or utilities sector.
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Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with a track record of driving mutual success.
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Significant experience managing multiple projects within a major framework or programme.
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A people-focused leader with extensive line management and team development experience.
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Excellent understanding of CDM Regulations, construction management, and engineering principles.
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Strong knowledge of collaborative contractual forms (e.g. NEC).
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Commercially astute with solid financial and analytical abilities.
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A solutions-focused mindset with the ability to guide teams through problem-solving and change.
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Adaptable and resilient, able to respond effectively to challenges and shape outcomes.
Qualifications
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HNC/HND or Degree in a relevant Construction or Engineering discipline (essential).
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NEC Project Manager Accreditation – preferred.
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APMP (Association of Project Management) – preferred.
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Senior Leaders Safety Training certification