Design Manager - Infrastructure & Highway Projects

WSP; Shrewsbury; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in Shrewsbury is recruiting a Design Manager to lead the design and technical delivery of infrastructure projects from concept through to completion. You will plan, coordinate and control multidisciplinary design activities, ensuring compliance with contractual, statutory and quality requirements.

Working with Project Managers, discipline leads and clients, you will provide technical leadership, manage design outputs, and support programme, risk and commercial objectives, while promoting

Qualifications

• Experience leading design and delivery of complex highway and infrastructure projects.
• Ability to plan and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams.
• Experience managing technical resources to meet timescales and budgets.
• Knowledge of CDM 2015 and HSE requirements.
• Familiarity with DMRB, NEC4 and regulatory standards.
• BIM delivery and information management proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of all design and technical aspects from concept to completion.
• Plan, coordinate and control multidisciplinary design activities to meet requirements.
• Support project performance, programme, risk and commercial objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and ensure client expectations are met.

Skills

Project leadership

Team management

Resource management

Delivery planning

Quality control

Stakeholder comms

HSE/CDM 2015

Regulatory compliance

BIM

NEC4/contract admin

Project controls

Sustainability

Interfaces

Risk-based delivery

Mentoring

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A little more about your role…

We have retained the Shropshire Professional Service Contract with key local client, Shropshire Council. We pride ourselves on the longevity of this contract, and the close working relationship we have developed over the last 23 years.

WSP work collaboratively as part of the Shropshire Alliance alongside Shropshire Council and Kier. We deliver a broad range of exciting projects, providing new and varied opportunities on this contract and within the wider WSP business.

The Design Manager is accountable for leading the delivery of all design and technical aspects of infrastructure projects from concept through to completion. The role is responsible for planning, coordinating and controlling multidisciplinary design activities, ensuring compliance with contractual, statutory and quality requirements whilst supporting project performance, programme, risk and commercial objectives.

Working collaboratively with Project Managers, discipline leads, clients and supply chain partners, the Design Manager will provide technical leadership, foster cross‑disciplinary collaboration and ensure successful delivery of design outputs that meet client expectations and business objectives.

Essential Experience

• Leading the design and technical delivery of complex highway and infrastructure projects from conception through to completion.
• Planning, coordinating and managing multidisciplinary design teams to achieve programme, quality and financial objectives.
• Managing technical resources effectively to meet demanding project timescales and budgets.
• Developing design delivery plans and managing progress against agreed milestones.
• Leading technical reviews, design assurance activities and quality control processes.
• Communicating effectively with clients, contractors, discipline leads and key stakeholders.
• Strong working knowledge of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality requirements, including CDM 2015.
• Ensuring compliance with DMRB, MCDHW and other relevant statutory and contractual requirements.
• BIM-compliant preliminary and detailed design delivery, including information management processes.
• Supporting NEC4 contract administration and advising on design implications of compensation events, changes and risk matters.
• Sound knowledge of project controls, programming, risk management and project financial performance.
• Identifying opportunities to add value, improve sustainability outcomes and reduce carbon throughout the project lifecycle.
• Managing interfaces between disciplines, partner organisations, suppliers and contractors.
• Proven ability to apply a structured, risk-based approach to project delivery.
• Experience in mentoring and supporting technical teams whilst fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture.

Your Team

You will be an integral part of a highly collaborative Shrewsbury-based team of approximately 65 people. As part of our commissions, we work across multi‑asset teams, providing both individual and cross‑asset support to deliver projects ranging from major schemes to strategic planning for our clients.

Our contracts across Shropshire and Gloucestershire offer exciting opportunities to work on a wide range of infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on highway improvement and active travel schemes across multiple counties.

We offer excellent prospects for career development and progression and are looking for individuals who share our ambition to deliver high‑quality, fast‑paced outcomes for the communities of Shropshire and beyond.

Our offices are located in the historic market town of Shrewsbury, offering an excellent quality of life with independent shops, restaurants, and riverside walks along the River Severn. We support flexible working, combining home working with time spent in the office.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close‑knitted community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 80,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

About Us

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long‑lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

• At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It's important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.
• Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

• We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.
• Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you, giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most.
• We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need.
• Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

• To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the "WSP My Hour," allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.
• We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That's why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.