Design Manager

ZipRecruiter; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy in the UK seeks a Design Manager to provide high-quality design solutions for AMP8 projects within the water sector. The role requires strong leadership and design management skills, with a focus on collaboration within regulated environments. Candidates should have a civil engineering background and substantial experience in the water industry.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Design Management within the UK water industry.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently with employer oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate technical disciplines for high-quality design.
• Manage project documentation and design risk management.
• Ensure design compliance with relevant standards.

Skills

Design Management

Communication

Coordination

Risk Management

Education

Civil engineering qualification

Tools

NEC 3 & 4

Job description

Job Description

Design Manager

Hybrid – Minimum 3 days/week at Warrington Office

Full-Time, Permanent

Company Overview:

We are a leading consultancy delivering engineering and management services across the Utilities, Energy and Infrastructure sectors. As part of our long-term, strategic partnership with our water clients, we are supporting the delivery of AMP8 (2025 – 2030) projects under a £5bn framework agreement and now seek an experienced Design Manager to join our team to support this delivery.

Role Overview:

Reporting To: Engineering Manager / Framework Delivery Lead

The Design Manager will play a critical role in the provision of high-quality design solutions for AMP8 projects. The scope of work ranges from feasibility and outline design through to detailed design. This role requires a strong background in the water industry, design leadership skills, and experience working within collaborative, regulated environments. You will act as a key interface between internal teams, stakeholders, and other project partners.

Key Responsibilities:

· Lead and coordinate technical disciplines to ensure the development of a high-quality design that meets the agreed scope.

· Management of the allocated design partner and project teams to delivery against agreed design deliverables, programmes, budgets

· Able to act as the Principal Designer under the CDM regulations

· Manage change control processes, including EWN and CE (or equivalent).

· Responsible for managing design risk and providing input to the project risk register.

· Prepare and manage project documentation including meeting minutes, action trackers, and design coordination records.

· Support project financial planning, including forecasting, tracking, and reporting of design spend.

· Co-ordinate and manage design risk, buildability, carbon and DfMa workshops (amongst others) Identify and manage design risks and contribute to the overall project risk register.

· Liaise with other teams including Asset & Assurance, Process & Lifting Equipment, and Construction to ensure seamless project integration.

· Coordination and management of design reviews, technical assurance reviews and CDM reviews

· Ensure the design is compliant with relevant Standards and Specifications.

Candidate Requirements:

Essential:

· Proven experience in Design Management within the UK water industry.

· Civil engineering qualification

· Coordination and management of design reviews, technical assurance reviews and CDM reviews

· Familiarity with project controls including risk management, cost forecasting, and change control.

· NEC 3 & 4 experience

· Excellent communication and coordination skills with the ability to facilitate stakeholder meetings.

· Ability to work independently within a seconded role while remaining aligned with employer oversight.

Desirable:

· Chartered or working towards Chartership (e.g. ICE, IStructE, CIWEM).

· Strong working knowledge of wastewater network and treatment systems.