Design Manager (Roads)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead highway design schemes across multiple UK offices, including London and the South East. You will drive design delivery, manage internal and external stakeholders, and ensure compliance with standards and cost/time constraints.

The role requires postgraduate experience, Chartered status, and the ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams on complex projects while upholding safety and quality across all design stages.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or a relevant discipline.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional body.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary design teams to deliver on time and to budget.
• Familiarity with DMRB, MCHW, TSRGD and Manual for Streets is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Chair design team meetings and ensure actions are completed.
• Identify and manage design risks.
• Coordinate design reviews, clash detection, value engineering and independent checks.
• Ensure designs are suitable for construction, maintenance and operation.
• Strengthen project management processes and manage RFIs, transmittals and change control.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Problem solving

Contract management

Coordination

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Chartered membership

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… 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.

• 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.

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.