Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland.
Enterprise & Primary Designer Client Delivery Manager
Scottish Water is transforming the way we deliver infrastructure investment across Scotland through our Enterprise model – one of the most ambitious and innovative delivery programmes in the UK water sector.
We're looking for an exceptional leader to join us as Enterprise & Primary Designer Client Delivery Manager. This is a unique opportunity to sit at the heart of a multi-billion-pound capital investment programme, helping shape how Scottish Water, our Enterprise partners and our Primary Designer work together to deliver better outcomes for customers, communities and the environment.
This role isn't simply about governance or programme management. It's about ensuring that Scottish water is an excellent client; ensuring the right investments are commissioned, the right outcomes are delivered, and that every pound invested generates maximum value for Scotland.
What you'll do
You'll play a pivotal role in translating Scottish Water's strategic ambitions into real-world delivery.
Working across the Enterprise, you'll lead the creation and governance of mandates that define what success looks like for some of Scotland's largest and most significant water and wastewater investments. You'll bring together colleagues from Asset Planning, Operations, Strategy, Commercial and Portfolio Management to ensure investment programmes are clearly defined, fully aligned and ready for delivery.
As the key client-side interface with our Primary Designer, you'll build strong, collaborative relationships that drive innovation, performance and value. You'll provide leadership and challenge where needed, ensuring that design and consultancy activities are focused on delivering the outcomes that matter most to our customers and the business.
You'll be trusted to make important decisions that influence the shape and success of investment programmes worth more than £2.5 billion every year. From reviewing Enterprise Delivery Strategies and validating delivery readiness, through to confirming that outcomes have actually been achieved, you'll play a critical role throughout the entire investment lifecycle.
This is a highly visible role that combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. You'll work with senior leaders across Scottish Water and partner organisations, helping to remove barriers, improve processes, strengthen governance and create a culture of continuous improvement.
Most importantly, you'll help ensure that Scottish Water remains a capable, informed and accountable client, enabling our Enterprise to deliver the right outcomes, at the right time, for the people of Scotland.
What you'll need
We're looking for a confident and collaborative leader with significant experience delivering or governing major capital investment programmes within a complex, regulated environment. Utilities, infrastructure, construction, engineering or other large-scale asset-intensive sectors would be particularly relevant.
You'll bring a strong understanding of programme governance, requirements management and delivery assurance, together with the ability to influence across organisational boundaries and build credibility with senior stakeholders.
You'll be comfortable operating in an environment where no two days are the same; balancing strategic priorities with operational delivery, challenging constructively when needed, and bringing people together to achieve shared goals.
Just as importantly, you'll have the technical insight and commercial awareness to understand complex investment challenges, evaluate evidence, and make informed recommendations that support robust decision making and successful outcomes.
You’ll have an eye for clarity and detail, to ensure that there is no dubiety in terms of the investment outcomes that must be delivered.
A degree or other qualification in Engineering, Project Management, Asset Management or a related discipline is desirable, alongside experience working within major programme, alliance or enterprise delivery environments. Chartered status, or working towards it, would be advantageous.
Why this role?
Opportunities like this don't come along often.
You'll be joining Scottish Water at a time of unprecedented investment and transformation, helping shape how one of Scotland's most significant infrastructure programmes is delivered. You'll influence how billions of pounds are invested, work with industry-leading partners and play a key role in delivering lasting benefits for customers, communities and the environment.
If you're excited by the prospect of shaping major programmes, building strong partnerships and leaving a lasting legacy across Scotland's water infrastructure, we'd love to hear from you.
Looking out for you
While the work we do is important, we know it’s not the only thing that matters. That’s why we make sure you have everything you need to find a good work-life balance.
You’ll get plenty of time to recharge with 38 days of holiday every year (including public holidays). And you can even buy five more if you need a little extra time. You can also take paid time off to volunteer in your community.
When it comes to major life events we have family-friendly policies around adoption, maternity, and parental leave. And for the everyday? We embrace flexible working.
For your future, there’s our pension (the ‘know-what-you’ll-get-when-you-retire’ kind), as well as life assurance.
As for some nice extras? You will participate in a company bonus scheme. Not to mention access to SW Splash – handy rewards that can save you money on holidays, bills, and shopping.
The not-so-small print
This role will be a Grade M2
If you’re interested in this role – or know someone else who might be - we’ll be accepting applications until midnight on the 2nd September 2026
We operate Balanced Hybrid working at Scottish Water and we encourage people to work half their time in a Scottish Water location.
Job offers at Scottish Water are conditional, and will be confirmed on completion of our pre-employment screening, e.g. referencing, criminal record checks, license checks, etc. Screening is conducted on our behalf by a third party, and must be completed before your start date. Don’t worry - we’ll only start these checks once you’ve accepted an offer.
A few final things worth knowing…
Research shows that some people avoid applying for jobs unless they can meet every single criteria. If you’re interested in this job, but don’t tick all the boxes, apply anyway! We hardly ever hire people who can do every part of a job from Day One. Everyone has a learning curve. So don’t rule yourself out!
Let us know if there are any changes we can make to our recruitment process to help you perform at your best. Lots of our people have disabilities or neurodiverse conditions (including some of our recruiters!). We're also aware that some people might be experiencing temporary challenges because of life events, like menopause. We’re very used to making adjustments, so please don’t be afraid to ask.
As part of our commitment to developing a flourishing Scotland, it’s important that all our employees are Scottish taxpayers. If you join us, your home address will need to be in Scotland. If you don’t already live here, you'll need to commit to moving here within your first three months.
Candidates should be aware that a valid UK driving licence is required for driving on Scottish Water business and claiming business mileage expenses.
Please note, Scottish Water takes the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees, colleagues and customers very seriously and as such you may be subject to Drug & Alcohol testing in line with our policy.
Finally (finally!), candidates who haven’t submitted an application in the last 12 months will have their records removed from our recruitment database. You won’t need to do anything. Your data will be automatically deleted.
We’re here to help. Ask us anything at SWRecruitment@ScottishWater.co.uk
