Design Manager - Water

ZipRecruiter; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Design Manager to oversee internal and external design teams for projects in Cardiff. This role entails managing the design process, ensuring compliance with technical and commercial requirements, and maintaining collaboration among stakeholders to deliver high-quality projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Experience in infrastructure, civil or mechanical engineering.

Responsibilities

• Leading and coordinating design teams.
• Ensuring designs align with client expectations and budget.
• Managing subcontract design teams.

Skills

Leadership

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Degree / HND / HNC in Civil Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Description

Design Manager – Water

Cardiff

Permanent salary + benefits package

Reports to: Framework Director

Job Description:

The Principal Design Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating both internal and external design teams to ensure projects are delivered on time and in line with client expectations. This role involves managing the design process from concept to completion, ensuring the seamless integration of technical and commercial requirements.

Acting as the central point of communication and decision-making for design activities, the Principal Design Manager ensures effective collaboration among stakeholders, including clients, consultants, contractors, and internal teams. Key responsibilities include setting clear objectives, efficiently allocating resources, and fostering a motivated and high-performing environment for design teams.

With a focus on technical excellence, the Principal Design Manager oversees the creation of designs, ensuring they are accurate, clear, and aligned with relevant legislation and safety standards.

They ensure designs are practical, innovative, and meet project-specific requirements while minimising errors and mitigating risks during construction.

Commercial requirements form a core aspect of the role. The Principal Design Manager collaborates closely with the commercial team to ensure that designs align with budget constraints and financial objectives. This includes managing subcontract design costs, identifying value engineering opportunities, and proactively addressing any budgetary impacts arising from design decisions.

The Principal Design Manager is also responsible for maintaining thorough documentation of the design process, ensuring that commercial implications are accurately recorded and communicated.

They regularly review and update design deliverables to ensure alignment with commercial agreements, client expectations, and project timelines.

By balancing technical expertise, team leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and commercial acumen, the Principal Design Manager ensures the successful delivery of projects that meet high standards of quality, are financially viable, and align with the company’s strategic goals.

Qualifications:

* Degree / HND / HNC in Civil Engineering or a similar discipline.

* A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar role.

* Experience in infrastructure, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, process engineering, utilities, or a similar industry.

* Full GB Driving License.

* Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Project.

Key Objectives:

Collaborating with Clients

The Principal Design Manager works closely with clients to understand their expectations and aligns designs with their vision and budget. They maintain transparent communication, provide regular updates on progress and cost implications, and identify opportunities for added value. By ensuring that designs address client objectives while staying within financial limits, they build trust and foster long-term relationships.

Managing Subcontract Design Teams

The Principal Design Manager oversees and coordinates the activities of subcontract design teams, ensuring their deliverables align with project requirements, timelines, and budgets.

They establish clear scopes of work, review and approve subcontractor designs for quality and compliance, and maintain close communication to address any technical or commercial challenges. This responsibility includes managing contracts, ensuring value for money, and holding subcontractors accountable for meeting agreed-upon standards, thereby reducing risks and enhancing overall project efficiency.

Ensuring Timely Delivery of Designs

The Principal Design Manager oversees the production of designs, ensuring adherence to strict schedules without compromising quality. They monitor progress closely, address potential delays proactively, and implement process improvements to maintain momentum.

With a focus on commercial efficiency, they ensure deliverables are cost-effective and aligned with financial objectives, reducing the likelihood of rework or delays that could impact budgets.

Applying Technical Expertise

By leveraging their technical expertise, the Principal Design Manager drives the creation of innovative, safe, and cost-efficient solutions. They focus on value engineering to optimise designs, reduce material usage, and streamline construction methods, delivering designs that meet both technical and financial requirements. Their guidance ensures that every decision made during the design process contributes to project efficiency and commercial viability.

Reviewing Designs for Health, Safety, and Cost Implications

While ensuring compliance with health and safety standards, the Principal Design Manager also evaluates the commercial impact of designs.

They identify ways to simplify construction, reduce material waste, and minimise costs without compromising safety or quality. This dual focus ensures designs are practical, compliant, and commercially efficient.

Reducing Errors and Risks

The Principal Design Manager implements rigorous quality control measures to minimise errors that could lead to costly rework or delays. They identify and address potential design issues early, reducing financial risks and safeguarding project budgets.

By maintaining a proactive approach to risk management, they ensure smooth project execution and financial stability.

Maintaining Comprehensive Documentation

The Principal Design Manager ensures thorough documentation of the design process, capturing all decisions, cost implications, and adjustments. This documentation serves as a valuable resource for accountability, financial analysis, and benchmarking for future projects. Their meticulous approach ensures continuous improvement and enhances commercial performance across projects.

Staying Informed

The Principal Design Manager actively monitors changes in industry best practices and legislation, focusing on their commercial impact.

By staying informed, they identify cost-saving opportunities and ensure that designs remain competitive and compliant, adapting to evolving requirements to maintain financial and operational efficiency.

Balancing Office and Site Work

The Principal Design Manager divides their time between office-based tasks and site visits to ensure alignment between design intent and practical execution. Office responsibilities include cost tracking, budgeting, and coordinating design activities, while site visits provide insights into real-world implementation. This balance ensures that designs are not only feasible but also commercially efficient, bridging the gap between concept and construction.

If you are interested and would like further details, please don’t hesitate to get in touch