Design Manager. AFA

Octavius Infrastructure; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car or car allowance

Private healthcare

Pension

Life assurance

25 days annual leave

Hybrid working where possible

Birthday day off

Paternity & Maternity package

Job summary

Octavius Infrastructure seeks a Design Manager to evolve rail capability in the Southern Region. You will oversee design delivery for the Access for All portfolio, coordinate stakeholders, and maintain cost-conscious, safe designs aligned with programme targets.

The role includes occasional site visits and collaboration with design partners and suppliers. You will lead BIM adoption, drive Lean improvements, mentor junior staff, and utilise NEC3 knowledge to administer contracts and drive secure

Qualifications

• Engineering background with design management experience.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Knowledge of NEC3 contracts and ability to administer the contract.
• Degree in Civil or Electrical Engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Interface with design consultancies and the client to develop and drive a design programme.
• Lead on increasing the use of BIM, technology and IT to improve efficiency.
• Embrace Lean principles to drive out waste and improve processes.
• Identify innovative approaches through collaboration on project delivery.
• Ensure lessons learnt are captured and applied throughout the project life cycle.
• Manage design programmes with focus on quality, design assurance, commercial performance and schedule.
• Collaborate with customers, stakeholders, design partners and suppliers.
• Mentor junior team members as required.
• Utilise NEC3 knowledge to administer contracts and oversee procurement/tendering.

Skills

Design management

Stakeholder coordination

Leadership

People management

BIM adoption

Lean thinking

NEC3 knowledge

Microsoft Project

Pricing & estimating

Contract administration

Programme management

Education

Civil or Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

BIM software

Microsoft Project

NEC3 contracts

Job description

We are seeking a Design Manager to help the evolution of our rail capability in the Southern Region.

Working on the Access for All portfolio across the Southern region, the role entails the management of the designs, stakeholder coordination and commercial control. Tendering experience would be advantageous. There would be juniors reporting into this position as and when required.

This is a hybrid role, with flexibility to work from home and our Blackfriars office, alongside occasional site visits. You will lead the development of solutions that meet Network Rail's requirements and Octavius Infrastructure's objectives, ensuring designs are robust, cost-effective, and aligned with programme and safety standards. Your leadership will foster a collaborative culture across customers, stakeholders, design partners, and suppliers, creating a seamless transition from development to delivery.

You’ll receive... (because we value you)

We offer a competitive rewards package, including a Company Car or car allowance scheme, Private Healthcare, Pension, Life Assurance cover, 25 days Annual Leave (and a day off for your birthday). You'll also have access to Hybrid working where possible, an enhanced Paternity & Maternity package and the opportunity to develop yourself personally and professionally.

• About you... (what you are skilled at)
• Interfacing with Design Consultancies and the Client, understanding Engineering Remits, developing and driving a design Programme.
• Lead on increasing the use of BIM, technology and IT to improve efficiency.
• Embrace Lean personally and within your team as a means of driving out waste and seeking improvements in all activities.
• Identifying new thinking and innovation through collaboration on project delivery and implementing it successfully.
• Understanding and implementing actions from our 'lessons learnt' meetings. Ensuring Lesson Learnt are as a minimum undertaken for all Stage 1 contracts upon completion, but ideally at regular intervals through the project life cycle and that you actively participate in Stage 2
• You’ll bring... (your wealth of experience & qualifications)
• An Engineering Background with Design Management Experience. Pricing & Estimating knowledge is a bonus.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Good level of NEC3 knowledge, and ability to administer the contract.
• Exceptional people management - with the ability to influence and mentor to motivate employees to achieve exacting standards of compliance.
• Technically savvy, with good working knowledge of Microsoft Project.
• Managing projects or Programmes and working with other departments to achieve deliverables.
• Experience and knowledge of construction industry – awareness of current techniques.
• Has managed design programmes and been responsible for their delivery, in terms of quality, design assurance, commercial performance, and meeting programme constraints.
• Knowledge of Network Rail PACE/GRIP processes and assurance procedures
• Detailed understanding of safety leadership from a policy and behavioural perspective.
• You will be Degree qualified in a Civil, or Electrical Engineering or related course (or equivalent relevant experience)
• Has achieved or has aspiration of Professional membership with a recognised and relevant Professional body, i.e. Institution of Civil or Electrical Engineers and has a clear plan to achieve such status.

Inclusion and diversity are important to us, we are an equal opportunities employer and value difference. We want and will continue to build an inclusive environment where our people thrive. We firmly believe constantly striving to build a truly diverse workforce is what makes us a strong business and will enable us to continue to solve important problems and deliver unrivalled value to both our customers and clients. If you need any specialist support throughout your application, we will work with you where we can to support your journey with us.

• Development Manager.pdf