Design Manager - (Water Civil Engineering)

WSP; Bristol; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Access to WSP Thrive programme

Health and Wellbeing support

Training and development opportunities

Flex time management

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Design Manager in Bristol to lead design projects within the Water sector, ensuring compliance with UK regulations. The ideal candidate will manage engineering design work, oversee project resources, timelines, and budgets, and act as a key liaison between clients and project teams. This role comes with a hybrid working policy offering flexibility to work remotely up to two days a week and access to extensive health and wellbeing benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience in infrastructure project delivery environment with complex projects.
• Significant experience in project and contract management, with knowledge of H&S standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage design projects within the Water sector.
• Represent WSP in client meetings and guide work packages.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality standards.

Skills

Project management

Engineering design compliance

Client relations

Multidisciplinary coordination

Education

MEng/BEng/BSc or HND/HNC in Engineering, Environmental or numerate science

Job description

Role Overview

As a Design Manager at WSP you will lead and manage design projects within the Water sector, working alongside the Project Director and Project Manager, overseeing engineering design work and ensuring compliance with best practices and UK regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead significant, technically challenging projects and influence how design is delivered across disciplines.
• Act as the central connector between clients, technical specialists, and project teams.
• Shape better delivery processes, championing Safety by Design, CDM compliance, and efficient ways of working.
• Represent WSP in client meetings and guide multiple work packages with confidence.
• Manage the design process, resources, timelines, budgets and risks across mid‑scale and complex projects.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality standards, including UK CDM regulations.
• Lead client and design team meetings, providing clear progress reporting and resolving design issues.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary inputs, ensuring integration, quality and timely delivery.
• Handle change control, RFIs, design transmittals and project communications to reduce risk.
• Maintain and update design programmes and ensure deliverables align with scope and client requirements.
• Support Senior Project Leads with package management and team coordination.

Qualifications

• MEng/BEng/BSc or HND/HNC in an Engineering, Environmental or numerate science related subject.
• A member of an appropriate professional institute (Chartered or working towards).
• Experience in an infrastructure programme and project delivery environment, with a track record of delivering complex projects.
• Significant experience in Project and contract management including knowledge of H&S standards and regulations.

Benefits

• Work‑life balance – hybrid working policy offering the flexibility to work from home up to two days a week and opportunities to collaborate in modern UK offices.
• Inclusivity & Belonging – a culture that celebrates diversity, promotes respect and offers employee resource groups that bring together people and allies from varied backgrounds.
• Health & Wellbeing – access to WSP Thrive programme, a virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, the Gymflex scheme (up to 40% off gym membership) and a comprehensive menopause support package.
• Flex your time – WSP My Hour allows you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the freedom to make up the time earlier or later.
• Development and training – support through mentoring, training and Chartership opportunities.

EEO Statement

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.