Principal Design Manager

Costain Group PLC; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure solutions provider is seeking a Principal Design Manager in Birmingham. This role involves providing technical project management support, managing design integration, and ensuring projects meet client specifications and industry standards. Ideal candidates have a civil engineering background and experience with complex programmes, alongside strong communication and leadership skills. The position emphasizes design governance and continuous improvement in the water sector.

Qualifications

• Practical delivery experience in civil engineering.
• Ability to motivate and lead a team.
• Experience in managing complex/sensitive programmes.

Responsibilities

• Support the Framework Head of Engineering in design objectives.
• Lead management of design integration with delivery teams.
• Ensure designs align with The Costain Way and client specifications.

Skills

Effective communication

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Continuous improvement practices

Proactive attitude

Education

Civil engineering qualification

Chartered Engineer

Tools

NEC 4 contracts

SMSTS

CSCS

Job description

Costain have won extensive work across the water sector this year to support the AMP8 investment cycle. We have been appointed by Severn Trent Water to help shape and deliver its Capital Delivery Framework as part of its capital programme for the AMP8 period between 2025 - 2030. As part of the Design and Build Framework lot, Costain brings together its design, construction, and consultancy expertise to undertake renewal and refurbishment projects and will assist Severn Trent in its target to make continuous improvements to its safety performance, whilst ensuring continuity of supply and consequently lowering costs for its customers. The Principal Design Manager will provide technical project management support and set the strategy for design management and interface between Costain, the design partners selected to support project delivery, and the Client teams for all aspects of design. The role will be key to ensuring robust, affordable, and technically compliant designs are aligned to our WiiSE objectives and delivered to programme and budget. As Principal Design Manager you will develop strong relationships and agreed ways of working with our Client approval bodies, and wider design organisations / partners. You will ensure there is integration of production thinking, innovation and sustainable principles into design activities and provide constructive challenge to strive for continuous improvement, bringing in wider organisation support as required.

Responsibilities

• Support the Framework Head of Engineering in the delivery of objectives in respect of design, prioritising workload, managing cost and programme of delivery
• Take the lead in the management of design and integration with wider teams (delivery, site operations in respect of scope and design requirements, commercial, risk etc)
• Ensure designs are governed and aligned to the requirements of The Costain Way, and the unique Client specifications and industry standards
• Challenge design solutions to ensure DfMA and low carbon solution which meet the Clients affordability challenges
• Champion WiiSE principles in design phase, considering effective design risk management, construction phase risks and drive SHE KPIs through design decisions
• Ensure the Framework and project contractual requirements with respect to design are met while maintaining a strong relationship with our client and design delivery partners
• Recruitment, retention and management of a team of design staff with suitable training and development opportunities over the lifetime of the Framework, engaging with the relevant stakeholders to gain permissions, permits and consents for works as required
• Develop design scopes for projects with the wider team and agree with the design partner organisations
• Drive efficiency and continual productivity improvements, creating best practice for the team and adding value for our customer
• Establish clear lines of communication throughout the integrated team, defining roles and responsibilities to ensure the efficient use of resources and the delivery of cost-effective solutions

Qualifications

• Civil engineering qualification and practical delivery experience
• Ability to form, motivate and lead your team
• Effective communication and strong stakeholder management skills
• Passionate about improving performance in the sector through best practice, process improvements and continuous improvement practices
• Able to work and learn quickly in a fast paced, fun and dynamic environment
• Care about doing a great job and exceeding expectations with the quality of what you do
• Previous experience of management on complex/sensitive programmes
• Practical experience working with NEC 4 contracts
• Experience of water industry working (preferred but not essential)
• A positive and proactive attitude
• Chartered Engineer of a relevant institution
• SMSTS
• CSCS
• Full UK driving licence

Costain helps to improve people's lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK's energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK's leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements. We offer our clients leading edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future‑shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery. Our culture and values underpin everything we do. Costain appreciate the time and effort taken when applying for one of our positions but, due to the high volume of responses, we are unable to provide individual feedback on candidates at application phase.