Design Manager - Water

Jacobs; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Enhanced pension contributions

Comprehensive health coverage

CPD opportunities

Life assurance 4x salary

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking an experienced Design Manager in the UK to lead large-scale water and wastewater infrastructure projects, driving delivery through innovative and collaborative delivery models. You will mentor teams, shape delivery strategy, and ensure compliance with UK CDM regulations, working within a hybrid and flexible environment.

This high-impact role offers opportunities to influence major infrastructure portfolios, develop technical delivery plans, and advance communities across the

Qualifications

• Experience in design and project management of large-scale infrastructure programmes.
• Familiarity with cross-disciplinary engineering integration.
• Experience with NEC3/4 change control and CDM processes.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with technical standards and UK CDM regulations
• Lead value engineering, value management and buildability
• Lead stakeholder engagement and manage client expectations
• Oversee design management, scheduling, risk mitigation and financial forecasting
• Promote innovation in design and construction, including standardization
• Mentor engineers and project teams
• Take ownership of client relationships and drive business growth
• Develop and implement project quality and delivery plans with the Project Manager

Skills

Technical leadership

Multidisciplinary engineering

NEC3/4 contract

CDM regulations

Problem solving

Autonomy

Communication skills

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

The UK water sector is undergoing its biggest transformation in decades. The review by the Independent Water Commission (IWC) comes at the same time as unprecedented investment, creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine water and wastewater infrastructure.

We’re proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, partnering with the largest water companies across the UK. From feasibility and planning to design, construction management, operations & maintenance, we bring together exceptional talent and expertise to deliver success.

We are delivering some of the UK’s most ambitious and high-profile water infrastructure programmes and are seeking an experienced Design Manager to play a central role in their success. You will provide leadership on large, complex water and wastewater schemes, driving delivery through innovative and collaborative delivery models.

This is a high-impact role within a growing and forward-thinking practice, offering the opportunity to influence major infrastructure portfolios, shape technical and delivery strategy, and drive positive outcomes for communities across the UK.

More than just a role, this is an opportunity to lead transformative programmes, mentor and develop high-performing teams, and help shape the future direction of water infrastructure. You’ll join a business that values innovation, inclusion, and sustainability, and contribute to solutions that deliver lasting value.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with technical standards and UK CDM regulations
• Take ownership for value engineering, value management and buildability
• Lead stakeholder engagement, manage client expectations and be an active member of the framework leadership team
• Oversee design management, scheduling, risk mitigation, change control and financial forecasting and analysis, ensuring constructability and commissioning are embedded in design thinking
• Promote innovation in design and construction, including standardization and design automation
• Mentor engineers and project team members, supporting their career, personal and professional development
• Take ownership of client relationships and contribute to business growth
• Work with the Project Manager to develop and implement project quality and delivery plans and monitor technical performance.

What you'll need

• Technical leadership in the design and project management of large-scale infrastructure programmes
• Expertise in multidisciplinary engineering and construction integration
• NEC3/4 contract and change control experience
• Knowledge of CDM regulations and processes.
• Passion and enthusiasm for problem solving, creating and delivering innovation.
• Track record in developing and fostering a culture focused on success
• Ability to operate autonomously across a wide range of complex projects with authority
• Be a great communicator able to explain complex technical issues to multiple stakeholders with differing backgrounds and levels expertise.

We offer

• Competitive salary We offer compensation that reflects your skills and experience
• Flexible Work Arrangements Benefit from hybrid, part-time, and flexible working hours, patterns, and locations
• Robust Pension Contributions We offer enhanced pension contributions up to 10% to secure your future
• Comprehensive Health Coverage Single medical cover and Digital GP service, with options to add your partner and family
• Family Planning Support Access to fertility healthcare and family planning services
• Enhanced Parental Leave Enjoy enhanced parental leave pay and free membership to employee assistance and parental programs
• Life assurance at 4x your salary
• Wellbeing Hub Free access to wellbeing apps like Cal­m and Daily Burn
• Professional Development We cover professional membership fees and provide continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities
• Community Engagement Participate in charity matched‑funding, paid volunteering time, and charitable donations

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https//www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.