Design Manager

Kenton Black; Ringway; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy is seeking a Civil Engineering Design Manager to oversee multi-disciplinary design teams on major water infrastructure projects in the North West. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Civil Engineering, strong experience in the UK water industry, and excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills. This hybrid role offers a competitive salary of up to £75k along with comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Continuous professional development

Clear career progression

Qualifications

• Strong experience within the UK water industry (clean water, wastewater, pipelines, treatment works, or related infrastructure).
• Proven ability to manage multi-disciplinary design teams in a consultancy or contractor setting.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, collaborative environment with a focus on quality and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate, and mentor civil engineering design teams across multiple water-sector projects.
• Manage design delivery from feasibility through detailed design and construction support.
• Ensure designs comply with DWI, Ofwat, CDM regulations, and relevant water industry standards.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Chartered status (CEng)

Job description

Civil Engineering Design Manager - Water Industry

Location: Manchester (Hybrid) Salary: Up to £75k + Benefits

Are you an experienced Civil Engineering professional looking to lead multi-disciplinary design teams on major water infrastructure projects? We're seeking a Civil Engineering Design Manager to drive delivery excellence across a diverse portfolio of clean water, wastewater, and environmental engineering schemes in the North West.

About the Role

As a Design Manager, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the end-to-end design process, ensuring high-quality outputs that meet client, regulatory, and environmental standards. Working closely with project managers, clients, and technical specialists, you'll help shape sustainable, innovative solutions in a sector undergoing rapid transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate, and mentor civil engineering design teams across multiple water-sector projects.
• Manage design delivery from feasibility through detailed design and construction support.
• Ensure designs comply with DWI, Ofwat, CDM regulations, and relevant water industry standards.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including contractors, clients, and regulatory bodies.
• Support bids, project planning, scope definition, risk management, and resource allocation.
• Drive continuous improvement, digital design, and sustainability initiatives.

About You

• Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline; Chartered status (CEng) preferred.
• Strong experience within the UK water industry (clean water, wastewater, pipelines, treatment works, or related infrastructure).
• Proven ability to manage multi-disciplinary design teams in a consultancy or contractor setting.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, collaborative environment with a focus on quality and innovation.

What is on offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to play a key role in AMP8/major water-sector programmes.
• Continuous professional development and clear career progression.
• A supportive culture focused on technical excellence, collaboration, and sustainability.