Design Manager
Let's cut straight to it
We're looking for a Design Manager to join our Capital Delivery team and play a key role in delivering one of the UK's largest infrastructure investment programmes.
As part of our Capital Delivery function, you'll lead the development of engineering solutions for a diverse portfolio of water network projects, ensuring designs are safe, efficient, innovative and deliver long-term value for our customers and communities.
Working across the full project lifecycle, you'll collaborate with Asset Management, Commercial teams, construction partners and design consultants to ensure solutions are developed and delivered successfully, supporting the achievement of our ambitious AMP8 investment programme.
If you're passionate about infrastructure delivery, stakeholder collaboration and turning engineering challenges into practical solutions, we'd love to hear from you.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
As Design Manager, you'll provide leadership throughout the design phase of capital projects, ensuring engineering solutions are developed in line with programme objectives, customer requirements and regulatory obligations.
You'll act as the key interface between delivery teams, supply chain partners and design providers, ensuring design outputs support successful project execution while balancing safety, quality, cost, carbon and operational performance.
You'll oversee the development of solutions from initial optioneering through to detailed design, ensuring projects are deliverable, buildable and aligned to wider programme outcomes. You'll also play a vital role in identifying and managing risks, challenging conventional approaches and driving innovation across the portfolio.
Success in this role requires strong stakeholder management, commercial awareness and the ability to influence technical and non-technical audiences alike.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
- Leading the development and coordination of engineering solutions across a portfolio of waste infra capital projects.
- Managing relationships with design consultants, contractors and other supply chain partners.
- Ensuring designs meet programme requirements for safety, quality, cost, carbon reduction and operational performance.
- Overseeing optioneering, outline design and detailed design activities.
- Supporting project teams through governance, approvals and investment decision processes.
- Acting as Principal Designer's Representative and supporting compliance with CDM Regulations 2015.
- Building collaborative relationships across Capital Delivery, Commercial, Operations and external partners.
- Identifying, managing and mitigating risks that could impact programme delivery.
- Driving continuous improvement, innovation and best practice across project design activities.
- Supporting the successful handover of completed projects into operational service.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO THE ROLE
We're looking for someone with a strong engineering and infrastructure background who understands how effective design contributes to successful project delivery.
You'll have:
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, consultants or supply chain partners.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Experience managing design development within major infrastructure or utility projects.
- Experience reviewing and approving engineering designs.
- Experience acting as Principal Designer's Representative and discharging duties under CDM Regulations 2015.
- Strong planning, risk management and programme delivery skills.
- Experience within water networks infrastructure, utilities or similar regulated environments.
It would be great if you also have:
- Experience supporting commercial negotiations through technical design development.
- Knowledge of water network processes and operational requirements.
- Experience delivering innovative engineering solutions that improve customer and business outcomes.
- Experience working within NEC contract environments.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
This is an opportunity to help deliver critical infrastructure that supports millions of customers across our region.
You'll work on high-profile projects, influence future investment decisions and be part of a collaborative Capital Delivery team that is shaping the future of the water industry through innovation, sustainability and engineering excellence.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- Degree qualified in Engineering, Construction, Project Management, Environmental disciplines or a related field.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Professional membership, or working towards membership, of a relevant institution such as ICE, CIWEM or IMechE.
- NEC accreditation would be advantageous.