Design Manager (Water Projects)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Gymflex scheme with discounts

Thrive health and wellbeing program

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Manchester is seeking a Design Manager to lead design projects within the Water sector. You will be responsible for overseeing engineering design work, ensuring compliance with UK's health and safety regulations while managing timelines and budgets. This role requires significant experience in project delivery and contract management, along with an engineering or environmental science degree. The firm offers a flexible hybrid work environment and a commitment to inclusivity and professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering complex infrastructure projects.
• Significant experience in project and contract management.
• Knowledge of health and safety standards and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead design management for projects from concept through completion.
• Manage resources, timelines, and budgets effectively.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions.

Skills

Project management

Client relationship management

Health and safety compliance

Design process understanding

Education

MEng/BEng/BSc or HND/HNC in Engineering or Environmental Sciences

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.

About This Role

We have opportunities for Design Managers to join our Water team supporting key projects in our Asset Design discipline. 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. Your responsibilities will include overseeing engineering design work and ensuring compliance with best practices and UK regulations.

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.
• Ensure clear communication through collaborating effectively with both internal WSP teams and external stakeholders to support the delivery of projects.
• Facilitate and lead any discussions in Design Team Meetings (DTMs), taking clear and concise minutes and ensuring timely completion of actions by the design team.
• Ensure project delivery processes are consistently improved and implemented, e.g. change control. Coordinate relevant disciplines through target‑led workshops, enabling critical design issues to be resolved in a timely manner.
• Deal with RFIs, early warnings, and general communications to reduce project risk and ensure a successful project delivery.
• Analyse, process, and respond to design transmittals consisting of drawings, specifications, reports, and other project‑related documents.
• Review and evaluate quotations to ensure they align with the project’s scope, budget and client requirements.
• Manage changes and delays that have affected the project and ensure these are resolved or mitigated accordingly.
• Update the design delivery programme, resource, and instructions. Have a thorough understanding of project scope and design responsibility.
• Itemise 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.
• Understand 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

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 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 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

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 that bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our 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.