Design Manager

Astute Technical Recruitment Ltd; Nechells; On-site; GBP 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Astute's Power Team is partnering with a leading contractor to deliver major electricity transmission infrastructure packages as part of the Great Grid Partnership (GGP). The role is based in Birmingham with a day rate of £400 inside IR35, starting September 2026 for six months.

The Design Manager will lead design delivery, coordinate with consultants and construction teams, and ensure designs meet National Grid requirements, standards and CDM regulations while managing risks and programme

Qualifications

• Experience delivering design on major energy infrastructure projects.
• Strong multidisciplinary design management experience.
• Knowledge of National Grid requirements and engineering standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the design delivery of major electricity transmission infrastructure packages as part of the Great Grid Partnership (GGP).
• Manage the design process from initial development through detailed design and construction, ensuring designs are buildable, compliant and delivered to programme.
• Coordinate with design consultants, engineering disciplines, construction teams and key stakeholders across a complex multi-partner alliance environment.
• Provide technical oversight across HV transmission, substation and associated civil/infrastructure works, ensuring interfaces between disciplines are effectively managed.
• Manage design reviews, technical queries, design changes and approvals, maintaining clear visibility of outstanding actions and programme risks.

Skills

Design management

Stakeholder liaison

HV transmission

Construction coordination

CDM Regulations

Job description

Astute's Power Team are partnering with a Leading Contractor within the Energy & Power Industries. We are currently recruiting for a Design Manager to join one of the Main Contractors to deliver major electricity transmission infrastructure packages as part of the Great Grid Partnership (GGP). This role is based in Birmingham

The Design Manager position comes with a day rate from £400.00 per day Inside of IR35.

Role responsibilities and key skills for the role:

• Lead and coordinate the design delivery of major electricity transmission infrastructure packages as part of the Great Grid Partnership (GGP).
• Manage the design process from initial development through detailed design and construction, ensuring designs are buildable, compliant and delivered to programme.
• Coordinate with design consultants, engineering disciplines, construction teams and key stakeholders across a complex multi-partner alliance environment.
• Provide technical oversight across HV transmission, substation and associated civil/infrastructure works, ensuring interfaces between disciplines are effectively managed.
• Manage design reviews, technical queries, design changes and approvals, maintaining clear visibility of outstanding actions and programme risks.
• Work closely with construction and project management teams to ensure design information is available ahead of site requirements and supports efficient delivery.
• Identify and manage design risks, opportunities and constructability issues, challenging designs where appropriate to improve safety, cost and programme performance.
• Ensure designs comply with National Grid requirements, applicable engineering standards, CDM Regulations and project-specific technical specifications.
• Monitor design programme performance, deliverables and consultant outputs, providing regular updates to senior project stakeholders and escalating potential delays.
• Ideally bring previous experience delivering design on National Grid, electricity transmission, HV substations, utilities or other major infrastructure projects, with strong multidisciplinary design management experience.

Location, day rate and timeframe of the Design Manager position:

• Birmingham
• £400.00 per day (Inside IR35)
• Start date - September 2026
• 6 months

Astute People are acting as an employment business in relation to this vacancy. We do not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and comply with all relevant UK legislation. We encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Astute is also committed to the government's Disability Confident Employer initiative. We endeavour to get back to everyone, however, if you have not heard anything after 7 days, please consider your application unsuccessful.