Project Design Manager

Alexander Associates; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Alexander Associates is seeking an experienced Project Design Manager to lead design management on major infrastructure programmes. You will own technical delivery from feasibility through detailed design, coordinating multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated, compliant solutions.

The role requires strong leadership, a solid Civil Engineering background, and expertise in BIM and CDM regulations. You will mentor juniors and collaborate with clients, regulators, and delivery teams to optimise

Qualifications

• A degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Proven track record in design management or engineering leadership on complex infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of CDM 2015 Regulations, including Principal Designer experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design management process from concept through detailed design and technical assurance.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams to ensure integrated designs aligned with programme, budget, operational and environmental objectives.
• Act as Principal Designer under CDM Regulations and embed health and safety in the design process.
• Champion digital engineering, BIM, 3D modelling, and collaborative design tools to improve delivery.
• Drive innovation to enhance technical standards, improve efficiencies, and develop sustainable, low‑carbon design solutions.
• Plan design activities, manage resources, and ensure deliverables stay on programme.
• Build relationships with clients, contractors, regulators, and stakeholders to support delivery.
• Promote best practice across quality, health & safety, and engineering excellence.
• Mentor junior engineers and designers to foster a collaborative team culture.
• Encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration to maximise value throughout the design lifecycle.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

BIM

Digital engineering

Design management

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

BIM

3D modelling

Job description

Are you an experienced design professional looking to lead the delivery of major infrastructure projects? We're recruiting for a Project Design Manager to join a collaborative engineering team working on high-profile capital programmes.

This is an excellent opportunity to take technical ownership of complex projects from feasibility through to detailed design and final handover. You'll play a pivotal role in coordinating multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring technical excellence while delivering practical, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions.

Working closely with project managers, engineers, construction teams, and key stakeholders, you'll help drive successful project outcomes in a collaborative environment where innovation, safety, and continuous improvement are at the forefront.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design management process across major infrastructure projects from concept through to detailed design and technical assurance.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams to ensure designs are fully integrated and aligned with programme, budget, operational, and environmental objectives.
• Act as Principal Designer under CDM Regulations, ensuring design risks are effectively managed and health and safety principles are embedded throughout the design process.
• Champion digital engineering, promoting the use of BIM, 3D modelling, and collaborative design tools to improve project delivery and coordination.
• Drive innovation by identifying opportunities to enhance technical standards, improve efficiencies, and develop sustainable, low-carbon, and repeatable design solutions.
• Work closely with project and delivery teams to plan design activities, manage resources, and ensure technical deliverables remain on programme.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, regulatory bodies, and other key stakeholders to support successful project delivery.
• Promote best practice across quality, health and safety, and engineering excellence.
• Mentor and support junior engineers and designers, fostering a positive and collaborative team culture.
• Encourage effective cross-disciplinary collaboration to maximise value throughout the design lifecycle.

About You

We're looking for someone who can combine strong technical expertise with excellent leadership and communication skills. You will have:

• A degree, HNC or HND in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Proven experience in a design management or engineering leadership role within complex infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of CDM 2015 Regulations, including experience acting as Principal Designer or managing design risk.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary project environments, ideally on large-scale capital programmes.
• Good working knowledge of BIM, digital engineering tools, and integrated design processes.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, collaborate, and build effective working relationships at all levels.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with a passion for delivering high-quality engineering outcomes and driving continuous improvement.