Design Manager (Roads)

WSP Global Inc.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Thrive wellbeing programme

Gymflex discount

Chartered development support

Job summary

WSP Global Inc. is seeking an enthusiastic Design Manager with postgraduate experience to lead highway design on major UK schemes from offices in London or the South East region.

You will manage multi‑disciplinary teams, coordinate with clients and stakeholders, and ensure compliance with standards and cost/time requirements. The role requires Chartered status and proven delivery of complex schemes, including DMRB, MCHW, TSRGD and CDM compliance.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or a relevant discipline.
• Chartered Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Drive clear communication across internal teams and external stakeholders, chair design team meetings and ensure actions are completed.
• Identify and manage design risks.
• Coordinate design reviews, clash detection, value engineering, and independent checks where required.
• Ensure designs are suitable for construction, maintenance and operation.
• Strengthen project management processes and manage RFIs, transmittals and change control.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Chartered Membership of a professional body

Tools

NEC contract

DMRB

MCHW

TSRDG

CDM Regulations

Eurocodes

CAT 2/3 reviews

Job description

• Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
• Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
• Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

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…

WSP are seeking an enthusiastic and Design Manager with extensive postgraduate experience in the management and delivery of a range of highway schemes, from complex, multi-disciplinary D&B schemes to smaller safety improvement and maintenance schemes. The role is within our high performing team based in London & South East region (located in either of our: Cambridge, London (Westferry Circus), Basingstoke, Guildford or Southampton offices).If you are looking for a challenge and professional development within our talented team, then we would love to hear from you.

Typical projects delivered by our team include

Major infrastructure with utilities and third ‑ party interfaces

Highway improvement and widening schemes

Junction and corridor upgrades

Bridges and structures over/under highways or rail

Active travel and public realm schemes

You will:

Drive clear communication across internal teams and external stakeholders, chairing design team meetings and ensuring actions are completed.

Identifying and managing design risks.

Support co-ordination and resolution of technical queries in context of cost and programme and proactively manage change control though clear understanding of scope and design responsibility.

Ensure compliance with relevant standards and legislation, including:

DMRB, MCHW, TSRGD, Manual for Streets

British Standards and Eurocodes

CDM Regulations 2015

Environmental and planning conditions

Coordinate design reviews, clash detection, value engineering, and independent checks (e.g. CAT 2 / CAT 3 where required).

Ensure designs are suitable for construction, maintenance, and operation.

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.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

Degree in Civil Engineering or a relevant discipline.

Chartered Membership of a relevant professional body.

Excellent communication skills and an ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities

Significant experience in managing and leading multi ‑ disciplinary design teams to deliver high quality solutions on time and to budget.

Proven ability to apply the principles of the CDM Regulations to projects to achieve safety during construction, operation and maintenance. Ensuring residual risks are captured, managed and communicated throughout the project lifecycle.

Experience of D&B or similar contractual arrangements.

Familiarity with NEC form of contract.

Thorough understanding of the DMRB, MCHW, familiarity with TSRGD and Manual for Streets would also be beneficial.

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.

Contract management experience and/or accreditations would be an advantage.

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

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

#LI-CM1

Job Info

• Job Identification 97923
• Posting Date 10/20/2026, 12:45 PM

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.

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.

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.