Water Lead (Southeast)

Job Details

Water Consultancy Lead - Southern

Permanent - Competitive Salary

Location: Southeast England

Hybrid: WFH while foundations are laid in the Southeast.

Role Purpose

The Water Consultancy Lead - Southern is responsible for establishing, developing, and managing a multidisciplinary water design team in the South East. This senior leadership role focuses on strategic growth, talent acquisition, operational management, and ensuring high quality design delivery aligned with company objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Strategy & Team Development

• Establish and lead the creation of a new satellite office in the South East.
• Identify, attract, and recruit local engineering and management talent to build a high performing team.
• Direct, mentor, and develop team members while cultivating a positive, collaborative working culture.
• Plan and expand the team in line with strategic business goals, managing organisational structure and resource planning.
• Provide leadership to ensure alignment with company values, performance standards and strategic direction.
  
  

Design Governance & Delivery Management

• Ensure all work is delivered in accordance with ESL design processes, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Oversee production of fully integrated design deliverables that meet safety, quality, and technical requirements.
• Ensure design outputs are completed within agreed schedules, budgets, and project milestones.
• Promote the use of appropriate engineering standards, best practice, and software tools across the team.
• Ensure design package changes and project variations are accurately recorded and communicated.
  
  

Operational & Technical Oversight

• Provide oversight and support on multidisciplinary projects across the regulated engineering sectors.
• Maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, clients, and regional partners.
• Support business development through capability building, team growth, and technical excellence.
  
  

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in a regulated engineering sector such as:
  
  

Rail

Water

Oil & Gas

Nuclear

Highways

Bridges

• Graduate Degree or HND in an engineering or relevant technical discipline.
• Strong IT proficiency and experience with modern engineering tools.
• Proven track record leading multidisciplinary design teams and delivering complex engineering projects.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully building or scaling engineering teams.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Significant hands-on experience within the regulated water industry.
• Chartered or working toward chartership with a recognised professional engineering or management body.
  
  

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Results-focused mindset with commitment to high-quality delivery
• Excellent technical knowledge within regulated engineering sectors
• Ability to develop and mentor individuals and grow high-performing teams
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability
• Collaborative team leadership and cross-functional working