Programme Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Programme Design Manager

Company: Southern Water

Location: Falmer, United Kingdom

Job Type: Permanent

Category: Operations & Programme Management (Infrastructure)

Date Posted: April 10, 2026

Experience Level: Senior / 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic design and delivery of significant components within Southern Water's ambitious £1 billion+ infrastructure programme, aligning with Ofwat's innovative financing models (DPC/SIPR).

• Drive operational excellence and innovation in engineering design for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), focusing on health, safety, sustainability, and whole-life cost optimization.

• Provide critical technical oversight from feasibility optioneering through to outline design, ensuring all deliverables meet stringent quality, cost, and time targets.

• Champion continuous improvement by integrating new approaches and technologies from industry partners and fostering a culture of innovation and challenge within the design teams.

• Develop and mentor a team of Senior Project Design Leads and Project Design Leads, cultivating a high-performing environment focused on delivering generational water resilience solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned at a senior level, requiring significant experience in managing complex, large-scale infrastructure projects, likely within a regulated utility environment. The emphasis on "Programme Design Manager" indicates a focus on the overarching design strategy and delivery for multiple interconnected projects rather than a single project. The mention of Ofwat's financing models (DPC/SIPR) and NSIPs strongly suggests a role deeply embedded in strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and long-term asset management within the UK water sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Delivery Leadership: Manage and oversee the end-to-end design process for a substantial portion of the Major Projects portfolio, ensuring adherence to health and safety standards, environmental regulations, and innovative, sustainable design principles.

• Technical Strategy & Oversight: Direct feasibility studies, optioneering processes, and outline design phases. Ensure comprehensive technical reviews and validation of design deliverables to confirm alignment with project objectives and established benchmarks.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with Programme Managers, the Major Projects Technical Manager, and other key operational teams to integrate design strategies with broader programme execution, driving efficiency and value realization through the supply chain.

• Innovation & Best Practice Integration: Actively identify, evaluate, and champion the adoption of new design methodologies, materials, and systems from internal and external partners, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technological advancement within the design function.

• Team Development & Mentorship: Coach, mentor, and develop Senior Project Design Leads and Project Design Leads, fostering an environment that encourages technical challenge, innovation, and professional growth, thereby building a robust internal capability.

• Financial & Commercial Management: Ensure the delivery of design solutions that achieve the lowest whole-life cost. Contribute to budgetary accounting processes and effectively negotiate with stakeholders to secure optimal commercial outcomes for the design elements of the programme.

• Process & Regulatory Compliance: Uphold and advocate for rigorous project delivery processes, ensuring full compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements, including those from Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), the Environment Agency, and specific regulatory frameworks like RAPID and Development Consent Orders (DCO).

• Stakeholder Engagement & Representation: Present design strategies, progress, and key insights to senior leadership and critical stakeholder groups. Represent Southern Water's technical capabilities at industry conferences and provide support to operational teams transitioning from design to delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic oversight, technical leadership, team management, and commercial/financial accountability, typical of a senior programme management role focused on the design phase of large infrastructure projects. The specific mention of regulatory bodies and frameworks indicates a strong need for compliance and risk management expertise.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• MEng/BEng/BSc in Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related numerate science subject.

Experience:

• Demonstrated, proven track record in successfully managing the design delivery of large-scale infrastructure programmes.

• Significant experience within the water industry or other highly regulated environments is strongly preferred.

• Experience in managing complex, multi-disciplinary design teams and external consultants.

Required Skills:

• Design Leadership & Management: Ability to lead and manage complex design programmes, from conceptualization through to detailed design.

• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of engineering principles relevant to water infrastructure, including hydraulics, civil engineering, and environmental systems.

• Regulatory Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of UK water industry regulations, including Ofwat price controls (e.g., DPC, SIPR), RAPID, DWI standards, and DCO processes for NSIPs.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional ability to communicate, influence, and negotiate with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership, regulators, and supply chain partners.

• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of contract management, cost control, budgetary accounting, and value engineering to achieve lowest whole-life cost solutions.

• Risk Management: Proficiency in identifying, assessing, and mitigating design-related risks, including safety, environmental, and operational risks.

• People Leadership & Mentoring: Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop engineering teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific project delivery models like NEC contracts.

• Knowledge of advanced design software and digital engineering tools.

• Familiarity with asset management frameworks and lifecycle costing methodologies.

• Experience in public consultation and engagement for NSIPs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Chartered Engineer status and a strong academic background in a technical field underscores the need for deep technical credibility. The 'proven track record' in managing large-scale infrastructure design programmes, especially in regulated sectors, is a critical requirement, suggesting that candidates will need to demonstrate significant achievements in their portfolio.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Delivery Case Studies: Showcase examples of successfully managed large-scale infrastructure design programmes, detailing scope, complexity, and key project phases.

• Process Optimization Examples: Illustrate instances where you have implemented new design processes, methodologies, or systems to improve efficiency, quality, safety, or cost-effectiveness.

• Regulatory Compliance Demonstration: Provide evidence of managing design compliance within stringent regulatory frameworks (e.g., Ofwat, DWI, EA, DCO), highlighting proactive measures taken.

• Stakeholder Management & Influence: Present scenarios where you effectively managed diverse stakeholder interests and influenced design decisions to achieve optimal outcomes.

• Innovation & Problem-Solving: Include examples of innovative design solutions or approaches you championed to overcome significant technical or operational challenges.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in establishing and refining design management processes, including:

  • Workflow design and optimization for the entire design lifecycle, from optioneering to detailed design.

  • Implementation of robust quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures for design deliverables.

  • Methods for continuous performance measurement, analysis, and reporting of design activities against KPIs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this calibre, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only list past responsibilities but also provide quantitative evidence of impact. Candidates should prepare to discuss specific case studies that demonstrate their leadership in managing complex design processes, achieving regulatory compliance, and driving innovation within budget and timeline constraints.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: £80,000 - £110,000 per annum (dependent on experience and negotiation).

• Explanation: This estimate is based on senior-level Programme Design Manager roles within the UK utilities and infrastructure sector, particularly for companies undertaking large-scale, regulated capital investment programmes. Factors considered include the significant responsibility (£1bn+ project value, NSIP status), the required Chartered Engineer status, and the hybrid working model often associated with competitive compensation packages in the UK. Regional salary benchmarks for senior engineering and programme management roles in the South East of England were also consulted.

Benefits:

• Pension Scheme: Generous defined contribution pension scheme.

• Holiday Allowance: Competitive annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays.

• Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive private medical insurance, access to employee assistance programs, and wellbeing initiatives.

• Professional Development: Support for continued professional development, including training, certifications, and attendance at industry conferences.

• Hybrid Working: Flexibility with a hybrid working model, balancing office-based collaboration with remote work.

• Life Assurance: Company-paid life assurance cover.

• Discounts & Perks: Potential for various employee discounts and benefits schemes.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 37 hours per week.

• A hybrid working arrangement is in place, requiring regular attendance at the Falmer office and occasional meetings in London. Specific days in the office may be flexible, subject to team and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate; the job description states "Salary to be discussed at the screening stage," indicating potential for negotiation based on candidate qualifications and experience. The benefits package is typical for senior roles in large UK corporations, emphasizing long-term financial security and employee wellbeing.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Water Utilities & Infrastructure. Southern Water is a key provider of water and wastewater services across the South East of England, operating within a highly regulated environment overseen by Ofwat.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Likely 5,000+ employees, based on typical utility company structures and the scale of their investment programmes).

Founded: Southern Water has a long history, with its origins tracing back to the early 20th century, evolving through various nationalizations and privatizations to its current structure. The current iteration of Southern Water has been operating since the privatization of the water industry in the UK.

Team Structure:

• Major Projects Directorate: This role sits within a dedicated directorate focused on delivering significant capital investment programmes, likely comprising Programme Managers, Project Managers, Technical Specialists, Design Leads, and Commercial teams.

• Reporting Structure: The Programme Design Manager likely reports to a senior director or head of Major Projects or Technical Delivery, with direct reports including Senior Project Design Leads and potentially Project Design Leads.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with operational teams (who manage assets post-delivery), commercial and procurement departments, regulatory affairs, environmental specialists, and other engineering disciplines.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Operations and design decisions are heavily influenced by regulatory requirements, performance data, customer feedback, and rigorous asset condition assessments.

• Risk-Based Planning & Delivery: A strong emphasis is placed on identifying and mitigating risks associated with infrastructure projects, particularly concerning public health, environmental impact, and service resilience.

• Whole-Life Costing & Sustainability: Design and project delivery methodologies are increasingly focused on minimizing long-term operational costs and environmental impact, aligning with regulatory expectations and corporate sustainability goals.

Company Website: https://www.southernwater.co.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: Southern Water operates in a critical, regulated sector. The company culture likely balances the need for robust, reliable operations with a forward-looking approach to investment and innovation, driven by regulatory pressures and public expectations. The scale of investment indicates a strategic focus on long-term growth and resilience.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role within the infrastructure and programme management domain. It represents a significant step for individuals moving from pure project management or senior engineering roles into strategic programme design oversight. The scope of managing a substantial part of a £1 billion+ programme signifies a high level of responsibility and influence.

Reporting Structure: The Programme Design Manager will report to a senior executive within the Major Projects or Engineering division, providing direct oversight to a team of design leads. This position offers exposure to executive-level decision-making regarding capital investment and strategic infrastructure development.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and profound impact on Southern Water's ability to meet its regulatory obligations, enhance water resilience, improve service quality for millions of customers, and achieve its long-term sustainability goals. Successful design management directly translates into efficient, cost-effective, and compliant project delivery.

Growth Opportunities:

• Programme Director: Progression to overseeing larger or multiple programmes, or the entire capital investment portfolio.

• Head of Engineering/Technical Delivery: Moving into a broader leadership role responsible for all technical aspects of major projects.

• Strategic Asset Management: Transitioning into roles focused on long-term asset strategy, planning, and investment prioritization.

• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas such as NSIP delivery, regulatory frameworks, or sustainable infrastructure design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a clear pathway to executive-level positions within the infrastructure and utilities sector. The focus on NSIPs and large-scale regulated investment provides a unique and valuable skillset for career advancement in similar organizations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model, with a primary base at the Falmer office. This suggests a modern, well-equipped office environment designed to support collaborative work, team meetings, and individual focused work.

Office Location(s):

• Primary: Falmer, United Kingdom (near Lewes, East Sussex). This location likely serves as a key operational hub.

• Occasional: London, United Kingdom, for regular meetings. This implies the need for comfortable travel arrangements or flexibility in working location on those specific days.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and requirement for regular meetings in London indicate a need for strong team collaboration. Expect a dynamic environment where cross-functional teams work together to solve complex problems.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern IT infrastructure, collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, SharePoint), and potentially specialized design and project management software will be available.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with design teams, programme managers, technical experts, and senior leadership. The role involves significant mentorship and team development.

Work Schedule: The core working hours are 37 per week, with a hybrid arrangement providing flexibility. This allows for effective management of design processes and data analysis while maintaining necessary in-person collaboration for key meetings and strategic discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature acknowledges the evolving workplace and aims to balance flexibility with the critical need for in-person collaboration on complex, high-stakes projects. Candidates should be comfortable with travel to London as required.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and cover letter, focusing on your experience with large-scale infrastructure design programmes, Chartered Engineer status, and regulatory environment knowledge.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion to assess your leadership style, technical approach, understanding of programme design management, and cultural fit. Be prepared to discuss your career highlights and motivations.

• Technical & Stakeholder Panel: This stage will likely involve a panel of senior stakeholders (e.g., Programme Directors, Technical Managers, Operations Leads) who will probe your technical expertise, strategic thinking, and ability to manage complex relationships. A case study or presentation may be required here.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a more senior executive to discuss strategic alignment and long-term vision for the role and programme.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Achievements: For each project in your portfolio, clearly state the scale (£ value, complexity), your specific role, the challenges faced, and the quantifiable outcomes (e.g., cost savings, schedule improvements, risk reduction, successful regulatory approvals).

• Highlight Design Leadership: Focus on instances where you led design teams, influenced design strategy, and ensured the successful delivery of design outputs that met all project objectives.

• Showcase Regulatory Navigation: Detail your experience in navigating Ofwat, DWI, EA, and DCO processes. Explain how you ensured compliance and managed related risks.

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by key responsibility area. Use clear headings, concise descriptions, and visuals where appropriate.

• Prepare a Narrative: Be ready to walk through 2-3 key projects that best represent your capabilities for this specific role, explaining your contribution and the lessons learned.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Strategy Scenario: You might be presented with a hypothetical design challenge for a water infrastructure project and asked to outline your approach to optioneering, design development, risk assessment, and stakeholder engagement.

• Process Improvement Task: Be prepared to discuss how you would improve a specific design process within Southern Water, focusing on efficiency, innovation, and regulatory alignment.

• Stakeholder Management Exercise: You may be asked how you would handle a situation involving conflicting stakeholder requirements or a significant design challenge that impacts multiple parties.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and potential interview challenges suggests that Southern Water is looking for candidates who can not only articulate their experience but also demonstrate their problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking in a practical context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Likely experience with enterprise-level PM tools such as Oracle Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or similar for programme scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency with Microsoft 365 suite (Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for communication, document management, and reporting.

• Design Management Software: Familiarity with systems for managing design workflows, document control, and technical reviews (e.g., Aconex, Bentley ProjectWise, or similar).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: While not explicitly listed, strong analytical skills are required. Experience with Excel for data manipulation and analysis is a minimum. Familiarity with BI tools like Power BI or Tableau for dashboard creation and performance reporting would be advantageous.

• Financial Reporting Tools: Experience with ERP systems or financial management software for budgetary accounting and cost control.

CRM & Automation:

• Risk Management Software: Experience with dedicated risk management platforms or modules within larger project management systems.

• Document Management Systems: Robust experience with systems designed for managing large volumes of technical documentation, drawings, and specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role's nature implies a need for proficiency in enterprise-level project and programme management software, strong data analysis capabilities (likely Excel-based), and expertise in document and risk management systems common in large infrastructure projects.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Safety First: A paramount commitment to health and safety in all design and delivery processes, protecting employees, the public, and the environment.

• Customer Focus: Driving improvements that directly benefit customers by ensuring reliable, high-quality water services and efficient wastewater management.

• Sustainability & Environment: Integrating environmental stewardship into design decisions to minimize impact and enhance ecological resilience.

• Innovation & Improvement: Encouraging new ideas and best practices to continuously enhance operational performance, efficiency, and service delivery.

• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding high ethical standards and taking ownership of responsibilities, particularly in a regulated industry where trust is critical.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a collaborative environment where design teams work hand-in-hand with operational, commercial, and regulatory departments to ensure seamless project execution.

• Open Communication: Encouragement of open dialogue, constructive feedback, and proactive problem-solving across all levels and functions.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that values the sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and technical expertise to foster collective growth and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Southern Water's values, as implied by its industry and regulatory context, will likely emphasize reliability, safety, environmental responsibility, and customer service. The culture will support innovation but within a framework of strict compliance and accountability.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scale and Complexity: Managing the design of a £1 billion+ programme involving multiple interconnected projects, each with its own unique technical and logistical challenges.

• Regulatory Landscape: Navigating the complex and evolving regulatory requirements from Ofwat, DWI, and the Environment Agency, ensuring all designs meet compliance standards.

• Innovation Adoption: Successfully integrating new technologies and design approaches into established processes while maintaining project timelines and budgets.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Balancing the diverse and sometimes conflicting interests of various stakeholders, including regulators, operational teams, customers, and internal leadership.

• Team Development: Mentoring and developing a high-performing design leadership team capable of handling the programme's demands and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into NSIP Delivery: Gain unparalleled experience in the end-to-end delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

• Advanced Regulatory Frameworks: Develop expert knowledge of Ofwat's price control mechanisms (DPC/SIPR) and their impact on infrastructure investment and design.

• Leadership Development Programmes: Access to internal and external leadership training to enhance strategic planning, change management, and team leadership skills.

• Industry Engagement: Opportunities to represent Southern Water at high-profile industry events, expanding professional networks and staying abreast of sector trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are significant but directly tied to the growth opportunities. Successfully navigating these complexities will position the candidate for senior leadership roles in the infrastructure sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to leading the design of a multi-billion-pound infrastructure programme, focusing on how you would ensure innovation and regulatory compliance."

• "How do you balance the need for lowest whole-life cost solutions with delivering designs that meet stringent safety and environmental standards?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Southern Water's current investment programme and its strategic goals?"

• "How would you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your design teams, especially within a regulated environment?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 2-3 case studies that best demonstrate your experience in managing large-scale infrastructure design, regulatory compliance, and team leadership.

• Focus on 'Why' and 'How': Beyond listing responsibilities, explain the strategic rationale behind your decisions and the specific methods you employed to achieve results.

• Quantify Everything Possible: Use metrics to showcase the impact of your work – e.g., percentage cost savings, schedule acceleration, risk reduction figures, number of regulatory approvals secured.

• Structure for Clarity: Use a consistent structure for each case study: Challenge, Your Role/Strategy, Actions Taken, Results Achieved, Lessons Learned.

• Prepare for Deep Dives: Be ready to answer detailed questions about any aspect of your presented projects, especially regarding technical challenges, decision-making processes, and stakeholder management.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their strategic thinking, ability to manage complex programs under regulatory scrutiny, and their leadership philosophy. The portfolio presentation is a critical component for demonstrating practical application of skills and achievements.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Southern Water careers portal.

• Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Emphasize your experience with large-scale infrastructure design programmes, Chartered Engineer status, and any relevant work within regulated utility sectors. Use keywords from the job description, such as "NSIP," "Ofwat," "DPC/SIPR," and "regulatory compliance."

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Gather detailed case studies that showcase your leadership in design management, process optimization, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory navigation. Focus on quantifiable achievements.

• Research Southern Water: Understand their current investment plans (£7.8bn for 2025-30), strategic priorities, and the regulatory environment they operate within. Familiarize yourself with Ofwat's role and key regulations.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare answers to common interview questions, with a strong focus on behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), and be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.