Design Manager (Water Projects)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead design teams within the Water sector on major projects. You will oversee design work from concept to completion, ensure CDM compliance, manage budgets and timelines, and collaborate with clients and internal teams to deliver integrated solutions.

The role emphasizes leadership across multi-disciplinary teams, effective stakeholder engagement, and driving efficiencies while maintaining high standards of safety and quality.

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 experience of delivering complex projects
• Significant experience in Project and contract management including knowledge of H&S standards and regulations

Responsibilities

• Lead design management for mid-scale and complex projects, managing resources, timelines, and budgets from concept through to completion.
• Ensure projects comply with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Manage client relationships and collaborate with engineering teams to deliver effective, integrated solutions.
• Lead client and project meetings, reporting on progress, financials, and addressing technical challenges.
• Drive Safety by Design practices and ensure compliance with UK CDM Regulations.
• Ensure clear communication through collaborating effectively with internal WSP teams and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate and lead Design Team Meetings (DTMs), take minutes and ensure actions are completed.
• Coordinate design delivery processes and implement change control with multidisciplinary teams.
• Deal with RFIs, early warnings, and general communications to reduce project risk.
• Analyze, process, and respond to design transmittals (drawings, specs, reports).
• Review and evaluate quotations to align with scope and budget.
• Manage changes and delays and mitigate where possible.
• Update design delivery programme, resources, and instructions; understand project scope.
• Itemize scope of services and client briefing; assess against industry standards.
• Instigate efficiency and buildability while coordinating across disciplines.
• Understand design process, roles, and responsibilities, coordinating internal and external teams.
• Deliver multiple packages and report to Senior Project Leads.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Budget management

Communication

CDM Regulations knowledge

Education

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

Job description

Job Description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you? At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

We have a number of opportunities for Design Managers to join our Water team supporting on key projects in our Asset Design discipline.

A Little More About Your Role…

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, you will be responsible for overseeing engineering design work and ensuring compliance with best practices and UK regulations.

At WSP, our Design Managers are adaptable in various situations and possess an innovative mindset, willing to take on new challenges and are comfortable in working within significant and complex projects or programmes of work. We collaborate closely with external Clients and with internal multi-disciplinary project teams and, to deliver most effectively, we utilise WSP offices, Client offices and/or site locations to deliver programmes of strategic regional and national importance.

With WSP you have the exceptional opportunity to take the next step in your career, build on your experience and qualifications and achieve your ambitions. We offer excellent support in personal development and growth as part of our local teams and across the wider WSP business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead design management for mid-scale and complex projects, managing resources, timelines, and budgets from concept through to completion.
• Ensure projects comply with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Manage client relationships and collaborate with engineering teams to deliver effective, integrated solutions.
• Lead client and project meetings, reporting on progress, financials, and addressing technical challenges.
• Drive "Safety by Design" practices and ensure compliance with UK CDM (Construction Design & Management) Regulations.
• Ensuring clear communication through collaborating effectively with both internal WSP teams and external stakeholders to support the delivery of projects.
• Facilitating and leading any discussions in Design Team Meetings (DTMs), taking clear and concise minutes and ensuring timely completion of actions by the design team.
• Ensuring project delivery processes are consistently improved and implemented, e.g. change control. Coordinating relevant disciplines through target led workshops, enabling critical design issues to be resolved in a timely manner.
• Dealing with RFIs, early warnings, and general communications to reduce project risk and ensure a successful project delivery.
• Analysing, processing, and responding to design transmittals consisting of drawings, specifications, reports, and other project related documents.
• Reviewing and evaluating quotations to ensure they align with the project’s scope, budget and client requirements.
• Managing changes and delays that have affected the project and ensuring these are resolved or mitigated accordingly.
• Updating the design delivery programme, resource, and instructions. Have a thorough understanding of project scope and design responsibility.
• Itemising scope of services, client briefing schedules, documentation and regular assessment against industry standards to help ensure a better set of deliverables.
• Instigate efficiency, appropriate use of innovation, buildability whilst factoring the different design stages with the wider design team.
• Understanding of the design process, roles and responsibilities and be able to coordinate across all disciplines internal and external, ensuring quality and add overall value to the project.
• Multiple package delivery responsibility and team management, reporting to Senior Project Leads.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

• 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 experience of delivering complex projects
• Significant experience in Project and contract management including knowledge of H&S standards and regulations

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

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.