Design Manager - PMCM Rail

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Project and Design Manager to join our central London team, delivering on major design and delivery objectives. The role focuses on coordinating internal teams and external stakeholders, and ensuring projects meet scope, budget, and client expectations.

You will chair design management meetings, manage change control, and oversee multiple work packages while supporting the Lead Design Delivery Manager in delivery oversight.

Qualifications

• Degree in relevant engineering, design, or management discipline (such as project or construction management, engineering, science, building or quantity surveying).
• Chartered (or approaching) Membership of a relevant professional body.
• ARB / RIBA / MICE / MIET / APM / PMI / PRINCE2 / Six Sigma certifications would be advantageous.
• Contract management experience and/or accreditations would be an advantage.
• Experience of working in major projects with proven Client-side project delivery (design or construction).
• Experience with major UK clients in a design consultancy environment.
• Ability to develop and manage customer and stakeholder relationships, through effective listening and influencing skills.
• Naturally curious, solution focussed and responsive to client problems.

Responsibilities

• Drive clear communication across internal teams and external stakeholders, chairing DTMs and ensuring actions are completed.
• Support co-ordination and resolution of technical queries in context of cost and programme and proactively manage change control through clear understanding of scope and design responsibility.
• Strengthen project management processes, manage RFIs, technical transmittals and change control, and proactively mitigate risks and delays.
• Review design information, quotations, and technical documentation to ensure alignment with scope, budget, and client expectations.
• Maintain accurate project records, update delivery programmes, and promote efficiency, innovation, and buildability across all design stages.
• Oversee multiple work packages and support the Lead Design Delivery Manager with team and delivery oversight.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Communication

Delivery oversight

Risk & change management

Education

Degree in relevant engineering/design/management discipline

Job description

Job Description

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 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 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

Your Team

Based in our central London office, we are a diverse, inclusive and enthusiastic team of Project and Design Managers, focussed on the common goal of delivering solutions for our clients. Our passion comes from creating and shaping the built environment through tailored design management as we strive to be the best in our field. If you are looking for a challenge and professional development within our talented team, then we would love to hear from you.

Role Details

• Drive clear communication across internal teams and external stakeholders, chairing DTMs and ensuring actions are completed.
• Support co-ordination and resolution of technical queries in context of cost and programme and proactively manage change control through clear understanding of scope and design responsibility.
• Strengthen project management processes, manage RFIs, technical transmittals and change control, and proactively mitigate risks and delays.
• Review design information, quotations, and technical documentation to ensure alignment with scope, budget, and client expectations.
• Maintain accurate project records, update delivery programmes, and promote efficiency, innovation, and buildability across all design stages.
• Oversee multiple work packages and support the Lead Design Delivery Manager with team and delivery oversight.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in relevant engineering, design, or management discipline (such as project or construction management, engineering, science, building or quantity surveying).
• Chartered (or approaching) Membership of a relevant professional body.
• ARB / RIBA / MICE / MIET / APM / PMI / PRINCE2 / Six Sigma certifications would be advantageous.
• Contract management experience and/or accreditations would be an advantage.
• Experience of working in major projects with proven Client-side project delivery (design or construction)
• Experience with major UK clients in a design consultancy environment.
• Ability to develop and manage customer and stakeholder relationships, through effective listening and influencing skills.
• Naturally curious, solution focussed and responsive to client problems.

On-site presence

On-site presence would be required (3 days per week)

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.

Inclusion & 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.

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.

Equal Opportunity

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.