Design Manager

Coffey; Chasetown; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Coffey is a water infrastructure and civil engineering specialist operating across Ireland and the UK. We are seeking a Design Manager to lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team, steering design from concept through construction and operation for waste and clean water projects.

You will oversee internal and external design resources, ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards, mentor staff, and push continual improvement in design templates and BIM strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum 10 years industry experience with at least 5 years in design management.
• Strong knowledge of water and wastewater treatment processes.
• Proficiency in Autodesk AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-disciplinary engineering design team across projects.
• Manage design resources to meet budgets and standards.
• Oversee design process from concept to construction and operation.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and CDM regulations.
• Mentor staff and drive continual improvement of design templates.

Skills

Design management

Leadership

Autodesk AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Water/wastewater engineering

Project management

BIM knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree

Chartered Engineer status / accreditation path

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Job description

As a Design Manager, you lead will lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team to deliver engineering design solutions for a portfolio of works across waste and clean water. The design management role encompasses overseeing internal and external design consultant teams, controlling the development of the design concept into construction design, build and operation and managing the installation information.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing design and technical resources to meet project requirements, standards and budgets, including both internal and external design resources
• Managing the design process using commercial, contractual, programme/time awareness and technical expertise
• Supporting, and advising the Head of Design and Director of Engineering as to the requirements and obligations in the development of a project design
• Ensuring the design process recognises current legislation, standards and codes of practice where appropriate
• Ensuring the designers comply with their duties in relation to Health and Safety in design, under the (Ireland - Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, or (UK - Construction, Design and Management (CDM) Regulations)
• Ensuring design information is of the right quality and keeps pace with project timescales
• Striving to eliminate health, safety and environmental risks in the design and financial risks during construction and/or operation
• Consider Environmental Aspects and the Life-cycle perspective during the design process
• Mentoring of staff, undertaking performance reviews and identification and justification of
• resource requirements
• Assist in continuous improvement of group wide design and project quality assurance processes
• Lead the improvement and development of standard design templates for Coffey internal designs
• Promote continual improvement within Coffey
• Manage internal compliance of relevant design standards, championing a best in industry approach
• Support the development and management of the Group BIM strategy and implementation plan
• Working with contracts and project managers to deliver value engineering across civil and MEICA works elements
• Maintaining awareness of industry best standards, equipment, and technology with incorporation of same into the company business
• Liaise with clients and suppliers, promoting Coffey business development and strategy
• Attendance and reporting at meetings of senior management
• Bachelor's engineering degree to support your competency in the role. Master’s Degree
• Minimum 10 years industry experience, with minimum 5 years fulfilling design management role
• Strong technical knowledge of water and wastewater treatment processes preferred
• Proven track record of successfully leading design teams and managing complex projects.
• Proficiency in Autodesk software (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D) and other design tools.
• Strong understanding of civil engineering principles, codes, and standards.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritise tasks effectively.
• Membership or eligibility for membership with a relevant professional body is desirable.
• Having Chartered Engineer status or on the pathway to obtaining professional Accreditation

About us

Coffey is a water infrastructure and civil engineering specialist operating in every major construction sector throughout Ireland and the UK. Passionate about quality and efficiency, this passion drives our belief in delivering projects with the best workforce. The hallmarks of our work are innovative solutions, engineering ingenuity, professional construction management and the highest level of safety and quality. We pride ourselves in nurturing an environment that empowers critical thinking, creative problem-solving, customer focus, efficiency and flexibility.

Coffey values are at the heart of everything we do – Do the right thing, Do it better, Do it together.