Civil Engineering - Associate Director

Water At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Shape the Future of Water. Lead Major Infrastructure. Make a Lasting Impact.

The UK water sector is experiencing unprecedented investment and transformation, creating one of the most exciting periods of growth in a generation. This is your opportunity to play a leading role in delivering vital water and wastewater infrastructure that will serve communities for decades to come.

As an Associate Director – Civil Engineering, you'll provide technical leadership across high-profile Design & Build programmes, influencing strategy, innovation and delivery on some of the industry's most complex projects. In the North West, you'll be a key leader within C2V, our Design Build Joint Venture with VolkerStevin, delivering United Utilities' largest-ever AMP8 programme.

If you're looking for a role where your expertise, leadership and ideas will genuinely shape the future of water, we'd love to hear from you.

What's In It for You?

✅ Lead major regulated water infrastructure programmes with real visibility and influence

✅ Shape technical strategy, innovation and best practice across large-scale projects

✅ Clear pathway towards Director-level progression

✅ Work within a collaborative, supportive and high-performing leadership team

✅ Flexible working arrangements and a strong commitment to wellbeing

✅ Opportunity to develop people, grow capability and leave a lasting legacy

✅ Be part of one of the largest water infrastructure investment programmes in the UK

Your Impact

In this role, you'll do more than deliver projects, you'll help shape how critical infrastructure is designed, built and operated.  You'll provide senior technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring safe, sustainable and buildable solutions while influencing programme outcomes, client relationships and long-term business growth.  Your expertise will drive technical excellence, improve project delivery, reduce risk and create better outcomes for clients, communities and the environment.

Here's what you'll need

As a trusted leader and technical authority, you'll oversee complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects throughout the design and delivery lifecycle.

Working closely with clients, construction partners and project teams, you'll:

• Lead technical governance, assurance reviews and design approvals
• Drive robust, coordinated and buildable civil engineering solutions
• Champion Safety by Design and ensure compliance with industry standards
• Influence programme planning, resourcing and delivery strategy
• Lead technical risk management and design change processes
• Embed constructability, operability and innovation into project delivery
• Develop and mentor high-performing engineering teams
• Build strong client relationships and support strategic growth opportunities

This is a highly visible leadership role combining technical excellence, people leadership and client engagement across major AMP programmes and long-term frameworks.

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering or a related discipline
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with ICE or equivalent professional institution
• Significant experience delivering detailed design for water and wastewater infrastructure projects
• Strong experience working within Design & Build environments
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and provide senior technical leadership
• Excellent stakeholder management and client-facing communication skills

Ready to Make Your Mark?

Join us at a time of exceptional growth and help deliver the next generation of water infrastructure.  If you're passionate about technical excellence, developing people and shaping major programmes that matter, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help lead the future of water. #LI-MF3

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Locations

City State Country
Warrington	Cheshire	United Kingdom
Manchester	Greater Manchester	United Kingdom
Newcastle	Tyne and Wear	United Kingdom
Reading	Berkshire	United Kingdom
Glasgow	Lanarkshire	United Kingdom
Warrington	Cheshire	United Kingdom
Warrington	Cheshire	United Kingdom