Design Project Manager

OCU Group; Stafford; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/flexible working options

Job summary

OCU Group is seeking a proactive Design Project Manager to coordinate multidisciplinary design work on National Grid Electricity Transmission substation projects. You will drive governance, manage design information flow between engineering teams, contractors and the client, and support timely, high-quality outputs.

Initial focus on developing toward LCDAE and PD-Rep responsibilities within National Grid's supplier framework.

Qualifications

• Experience in design coordination, design management, or project management in engineering, utilities, infrastructure, or construction.
• Understanding of multi-disciplinary design workflows and design delivery environments.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage parallel workstreams and maintain structured documentation.
• Interest in working towards LCDAE & PD-Rep competency on NGET substation projects.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate all design activities for NGET substation projects, ensuring timely and high quality outputs.
• Support design governance processes as you develop towards LCDAE & PD-Rep level responsibility.
• Manage the flow of design information between engineering teams, contractors, and the client.
• Organise and facilitate design reviews, interdisciplinary workshops, and design risk assessments.
• Monitor design progress, identify blockers, and drive corrective actions.
• Ensure design deliverables align with project scope, NGET technical standards, safety requirements, and programme milestones.
• Assist with technical queries, document control, change processes, and configuration management.
• Build strong working relationships across engineering, construction, and client teams.

Skills

Design coordination

Project management

Engineering/Utilities design

Stakeholder engagement

Organisational skills

Education

APM certification

Job description

Design Project Manager

Application Deadline: 30 August 2026

Department: OCU Design

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Stockport

Reporting To: Kristoffer Baker

Description

OCU are looking for a proactive and well organised Design Project Manager to support and coordinate the delivery of multidisciplinary design work on National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) substation projects. These projects require robust design governance, clear communication, and structured progression through client mandated assurance processes.

A core part of this role involves developing towards the responsibilities associated with a Lead Contractor Design Approval Engineer (LCDAE) and Principal Design Representative (PD-Rep). Within National Grid’s Supplier Requirements framework, LCDAEs & PD-Reps play a key role in ensuring engineering designs meet strict technical and compliance standards for substation and transmission projects.

You do not need to be an LCDAE or PD-Rep today this role provides a supported pathway if you wish to grow into it. Existing LCDAE qualified applicants are equally welcome.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate all design activities for NGET substation projects, ensuring timely and high quality outputs.
• Support design governance processes as you develop towards LCDAE & PD-Rep level responsibility.
• Manage the flow of design information between engineering teams, contractors, and the client.
• Organise and facilitate design reviews, interdisciplinary workshops, and design risk assessments.
• Monitor design progress, identify blockers, and drive corrective actions.
• Ensure design deliverables align with project scope, NGET technical standards, safety requirements, and programme milestones.
• Assist with technical queries, document control, change processes, and configuration management.
• Build strong working relationships across engineering, construction, and client teams.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

We welcome applicants with diverse experience levels — from those new to National Grid design assurance processes to those already fully LCDAE qualified.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience in design coordination, design management, or project management in engineering, utilities, infrastructure, or construction.
• Understanding of multi‑disciplinary design workflows and design delivery environments.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage parallel workstreams and maintain structured documentation.
• Interest in working towards LCDAE & PD-Rep competency on NGET substation projects.

Desirable (but not required)

• Existing LCDAE & PD-Rep qualification or experience supporting LCDAE activities.
• Familiarity with National Grid Supplier Requirements or equivalent transmission/substation design processes.
• Project management certifications such as APM.

Job Benefits

• A clear training and development pathway towards LCDAE & PD-Rep responsibilities.
• Exposure to nationally significant NGET substation and transmission projects.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.
• Hybrid/flexible working options.
• Support for professional accreditations and continued development.