Design Manager

Ground Control; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Ground Control in Manchester is seeking a Design Manager to own the design across landscape construction and civil engineering projects. You will coordinate designers, consultants and project teams to deliver safe, compliant solutions ready for construction.

You will review designs for buildability, drive engineering excellence, and maintain standards and templates across the division. A Chartered Engineer with strong leadership and travel willingness is required.

Qualifications

• Chartered engineer or working towards chartership with substantial civil engineering experience.
• Proven ability to lead design across landscape construction and civil projects.
• Experience producing and checking calculations, drawings, and technical details.

Responsibilities

• Lead design process across multiple live projects ensuring on-time delivery for construction.
• Coordinate internal designers, external consultants and client teams.
• Review designs for buildability, compliance and practicality.
• Act as technical authority for design decisions throughout project delivery.
• Produce and review engineering designs, calculations and technical details (drainage, SuDS, foundations, external works).
• Manage Temporary Works design per BS 5975 and checks.
• Support estimating with technical expertise and value engineering.
• Manage external design consultants and oversee deliverables and costs.
• Develop standards, templates and best-practice design processes.
• Ensure CDM 2015 compliance and safety considerations.

Skills

Chartered Civil Engineer

Design leadership

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Problem solving

Buildability review

CDM compliance

Education

BEng or MEng in Civil Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Job description

Location: Manchester

Salary: Competitive

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday

Own the design function. Solve complex engineering challenges. Shape projects from concept to construction.

You take pride in delivering practical, buildable designs, bringing together multiple stakeholders, and finding solutions that keep projects moving forward. You enjoy solving technical challenges, improving standards, and making engineering decisions that have a real impact on project success. That's exactly the kind of expertise we value at Ground Control.

We're looking for a Design Manager who can take ownership of design across our landscape construction and civil engineering projects. Someone who can coordinate designers, consultants and project teams with confidence, challenge designs where needed, and ensure every solution is safe, compliant and ready for delivery. You'll have real autonomy, the support of an experienced operational network, and the opportunity to influence how design is managed across a growing and ambitious division.

What you'll do:

• Lead and coordinate the design process across multiple live projects, ensuring information is delivered on time and designs are ready for construction.
• Bring together internal designers, external consultants, subcontractors and client teams, creating a collaborative approach that keeps projects moving forward.
• Review designs for buildability, compliance and practicality, identifying issues early and driving solutions before they impact programme or budget.
• Act as the technical authority for design decisions, providing guidance and resolving complex engineering challenges throughout project delivery.
• Produce and review engineering designs, calculations and technical details, including drainage, SuDS, foundations, retaining structures and external works elements.
• Manage Temporary Works Design requirements in accordance with BS 5975, ensuring appropriate design checks and controls are in place.
• Support estimating and bid teams with technical expertise, value engineering and buildability advice during pre-construction activities.
• Manage external design consultants, overseeing performance, deliverables and design costs across multiple projects.
• Drive technical excellence across the business, developing standards, specifications, templates and best-practice design processes.
• Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations 2015, embedding safety, buildability and future maintenance considerations throughout the design process.

What you'll get:

• The opportunity to shape and develop the design function within a growing division.
• A highly influential technical leadership role with genuine autonomy.
• Exposure to a varied portfolio of landscape construction, public realm and civil engineering projects across the UK.
• The chance to improve engineering standards and influence how projects are delivered.
• Career development opportunities within a growing and ambitious business.
• A collaborative culture that values expertise, innovation and continuous improvement.

What we're looking for:

• Chartered Civil Engineer (CEng MICE) or working towards chartership with significant relevant experience.
• Degree qualified (BEng or MEng) in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering.
• Strong design experience within civil engineering, infrastructure, public realm, landscape construction or external works environments.
• A confident technical leader who can challenge constructively and make sound engineering decisions.
• Experience producing and checking engineering calculations, drawings and technical details.
• Strong understanding of BS 5975 Temporary Works requirements and CDM Regulations 2015.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A proactive, solution-focused approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel as required.

Why Ground Control?

At Ground Control, we're proud to deliver projects that enhance communities, improve environments and leave a lasting legacy. We invest in our people, encourage innovation and give talented professionals the opportunity to make a genuine impact.

If you're looking for a role where you can influence project delivery, shape technical standards and take ownership of a growing design function, we'd love to hear from you. #Util