Framework Design Manager

ZipRecruiter; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Tier 1 contractor seeks a Framework Design Manager in the water sector for a permanent role in Southern England. This strategic position combines technical leadership with client engagement, overseeing a portfolio of projects and ensuring successful delivery. The candidate should possess a relevant engineering degree, strong communication skills, and experience in the UK water industry for this autonomous role offering clear professional development.

Benefits

Car allowance or company car

Bonus package

Flexible working model

Qualifications

• Experience in UK water industry.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience on frameworks or long-term programmes is ideal.

Responsibilities

• Oversee engineering activities across a portfolio of projects.
• Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify and resolve engineering challenges.

Skills

Communication

Commercial Awareness

Project Coordination

Education

Degree in Engineering

Job description

Job Description

Framework Design Manager – Water Sector

Location: Southern England

Salary: £75,000 – £80,000 (Negotiable) + car allowance or company car + bonus + package

We’re supporting a leading Tier 1 contractor in the recruitment of a Framework Design Manager for a permanent role within their water division. This is a key appointment, supporting the delivery of long-term frameworks across the South of England, with a focus on both infrastructure and environmental projects.

This role offers a rare opportunity to step into a strategic engineering position that blends technical leadership with client engagement, project coordination, and long-term planning. You’ll be responsible for overseeing engineering activity across a portfolio of projects, helping to drive delivery, resolve design issues, and maintain a strong pipeline of work within an established regional team.

As Framework Design Manager, you’ll work closely with internal operational teams, external consultants, and the end client to ensure the successful progression of works throughout the framework.

The position is highly autonomous and ideal for someone confident managing relationships at all levels and comfortable working with incomplete or evolving scopes. Your ability to shape, influence, and build trust will be just as important as your technical background.

You’ll play a central role in identifying opportunities within the framework, ensuring work packages are clearly defined and well-coordinated, and supporting the delivery teams in resolving any engineering challenges that arise. You’ll also contribute to internal reporting, providing insight and updates to senior stakeholders on progress across the portfolio.

We’re looking for someone with a background in the UK water industry, ideally with experience working on frameworks or long-term programmes.

A degree in engineering or related discipline is essential, along with strong communication skills, commercial awareness, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

This is a career-enhancing opportunity to join a well-established team delivering essential infrastructure, with clear progression routes and ongoing professional development supported. The company operates a flexible working model, with time spent between home, client sites, and regional offices across the South. Typical travel includes time in-region every other week, with more visibility expected during the first few months to establish key relationships.

If you’re ready for a role where you can make a strategic impact in the water sector and lead engineering delivery across a major framework, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information, contact or call Will on (phone number removed). Ganymede is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of disability, marriage and civil partnership, maternity, belief, or other protected characteristics.