Design Manager (Civils)

Gatwick Airport Limited; Wootton Bridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading airport authority in the UK is seeking a Design Manager to oversee design delivery for major civil engineering projects. This unique role involves leading teams to drive innovation while ensuring compliance with safety standards. With a competitive salary and various benefits, the position aims to attract individuals with extensive design management experience in operational settings. Join a dynamic team contributing to infrastructure at one of the world's busiest airports.

Benefits

Welcome Bonus

Performance-based bonus scheme

Healthcare scheme

Professional training

Discounted travel

Qualifications

• Experience in design management in live operational environments.
• Strong knowledge of construction regulations and techniques.
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end design process through project completion.
• Develop project scopes to meet business needs.
• Find innovative design solutions that meet GAL standards.

Skills

Multi-disciplinary experience

Problem-solving skills

Innovative outlook

Education

Degree in architecture, engineering or construction-related field

Job description

Join the team delivering iconic infrastructure at one of the world's busiest single‑runway airports. From runway refurbishments and air traffic control upgrades to a £350 million transformation of airfield operations, every day at Gatwick brings new challenges, innovation, and impact.

London Gatwick is looking for a Design Manager to lead the delivery of design elements across major construction and infrastructure projects. If you have a proven track record of managing teams and delivering design for projects above £150 m, this is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team and make a significant impact.

As part of the Airfield & Civils Construction Programme Delivery Team, you’ll help shape the infrastructure that underpins Gatwick’s future growth—enhancing resilience, safety, and sustainability across our airfield.

We’re looking for a Design Manager (Civils) to play a key role in our capital investment programme. Reporting to the Lead Design Manager, you’ll be responsible for leading the development and coordination of design activities across a major civil engineering project—ensuring technical excellence, compliance, and alignment with strategic objectives.

You’ll work in a collaborative, alongside innovators, technical specialists, and delivery teams—gaining full lifecycle exposure from concept through to completion. At London Gatwick, your work will have a visible impact, contributing to the long‑term success of a key piece of the UK’s critical national infrastructure.

What is the role?

Reporting into the Lead Design Manager, you will play a key role in the team, responsible for owning the end‑to‑end design process from the start of the project to its completion. This includes overseeing smaller projects as required.

Other duties include:

• Developing project scopes that support the business to meet its needs
• Finding innovative design solutions that meet project scopes, are realistically deliverable, meet GAL engineering standards, and are cost effective
• Developing clear and transparent design briefs for external design consultants
• Managing and reviewing the outputs of external design consultants to ensure effective implementation of designs that meet quality requirements and are aligned with delivery milestones and governance tollgates
• Work with the Asset Information Team and other stakeholders to determine the asset information requirements for design and construction contracts

What are we looking for?

The live environment at Gatwick requires all our teams to have a flexible and adaptable approach, problem‑solving skills and an innovative outlook. Involved in projects from inception to completion you will work alongside multiple internal and external stakeholders. In addition, this role requires:

• Previous multi‑disciplinary experience in an engineering design or design management role, ideally in a live operational environment with responsibility for delivering safety‑critical outcomes, with a strong focus on significant multi‑year infrastructure programmes of work with a value of more than £150 m (ideally in a relevant infrastructure field)
• Demonstrable knowledge of design, construction techniques, technical requirements and construction regulations; expertise in addressing constructability challenges, especially for major building projects in live operational settings
• Experience in leading multi‑disciplinary teams
• Educated to Degree level or equivalent in an architecture, engineering or construction‑related field

What do I get?

Our employees tell us that working here is something special and no day is like another. Where our teams do something every day that other airports only dream of. Along with a competitive salary our employees enjoy a range of personal, health and financial benefits, including:

• Welcome Bonus
• Performance‑based bonus scheme
• High street shops and restaurant discounts
• Healthcare scheme
• Life and disability insurance
• Professional training to develop
• Professional subscriptions
• Discounted travel
• Volunteer days

What it's like to work at London Gatwick?

Our people are our biggest asset. We want people to thrive and have the best experience while working with us. We know we are all at our best when we feel comfortable and included.

We are an organisation that places diversity, equity and inclusion at its heart. Our aim is to create a place where everyone belongs and has a voice, and we recognise we all play an important role in our success.

To find out more about what it's like to work at Gatwick, visit our careers site Careers | Grow your career with Gatwick Airport LGW.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the application process please contact us directly.

Click apply to start your career with Gatwick.