Senior Design Manager

Severn Trent Plc; Greater London; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday + bank holidays

Annual bonus scheme up to £2,250

Leading pension scheme – up to 15%

Sharesave programme

Dedicated training and development via

Electric vehicle scheme

Family friendly policies

Two paid volunteering days

Job summary

Severn Trent is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead the in‑house design team as part of our AMP8 capital delivery programme in Greater London. You will define design vision, allocate resources and ensure solutions meet quality, cost, time and regulatory requirements.

You’ll build strong stakeholder relationships, manage risk, and coach engineers to deliver sustainable, whole‑life value for water and wastewater projects, while upholding safety and environment standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading multi‑discipline design teams within a capital delivery programme.
• Strong track record in managing budgets, schedules and quality across complex projects.
• Experience in regulated environments and compliance with industry standards.

Responsibilities

• Set design vision and direction for integrated project teams.
• Direct delivery of the planned programme with adherence to KPIs and regulatory commitments.
• Lead resource planning and oversee design risk management.
• Develop and mentor the Design Engineering Team to enable succession.

Skills

Design leadership

Programme management

Multi‑disciplinary teams

Coaching

Commercial delivery

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Sustainability

Whole life cost

Job description

Join Our Team as a Senior Design Manager!

At Severn Trent, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We’re in the top 5% of utility companies worldwide when it comes to employee engagement and ranked as a Top 50 UK Employer on Glassdoor. Join us in making a positive impact on the environment and our communities, while being valued and supported in a truly inclusive workplace.

Are you passionate about tackling climate change and making a positive impact on the environment? Our ambitious five-year programme, featuring over 5,000 innovative projects, is dedicated to overcoming the challenges of delivering exceptional water and waste services. With our dedicated in-house design team, we are set to achieve outstanding results and make a significant impact.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

This is a pivotal role which ensures the successful delivery of Severn Trent Waters’ AMP8 capital investment programme. In this role, you will be instrumental in advancing Severn Trent’s design capabilities, ensuring that design solutions meet both immediate and strategic needs while delivering value to Severn Trent’s customers.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Set design vision and direction to integrated teams ensuring alignment with project goals and client requirements.
• Directly accountable for the successful delivery of the planned programme of works in accordance with quality, cost and time, key performance indicators and Regulatory commitments.
• Strategically prioritise and allocate design resources to influence business investment and asset management decision-making.
• Resource and financial accountability for planned programme of works; approving and assuring solution designs in accordance with the Capital Delivery roadmap.
• Lead on risk management by proactively encouraging risk identification, communication and control processes, own the management of risk within the planned programme of works - ensuring that the programme is compliant with internal governance, external legislation and statutory obligations (e.g. Environmental/Planning/Land access).
• Understand and promote the use of sustainable solutions.
• Ensure that design solutions prioritise Severn Trent customers, emphasising value, sustainability and ‘whole life’ cost management in asset decisions.
• Fulfil the role of Principal Designer in accordance with CDM Regulations 2015, ensuring designs meet regulatory, environmental and safety standards.
• Develop strong working relationships with stakeholders both inside and outside of Severn Trent Water to ensure the successful design, delivery and handover of the planned programme of work.
• Drive collaboration across subservices to ensure cohesive support and alignment with Severn Trent’s strategic objectives.
• Create a high performing and highly capable Design Engineering Team. Proactively manage performance and supporting development opportunities; developing expert technical and leadership capabilities within the Design Engineering Team which fosters effective succession planning within their respective business area.
• Act as a deputy Design Business Lead when required.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE ROLE

• Experienced in making detailed judgements, analysing, reasoning, arriving at and drawing conclusions within a programme management environment .
• Experience of leading multi-disciplined teams, coaching skills and building capability (preferably in the area of solution design).
• Experience in managing all commercial aspects of design delivery such as Service orders, NODs, programme and budget.
• Experience of working within a regulated industry and working with/demonstrating compliance to legislation, industry standards, codes of practices etc.
• Experience of directly effecting processes, systems, KPIs, accuracy targets, deadlines etc. that relate to the role.
• Ample experience within a design and/or project management role.
• Water sector experience or similar (utilities/petrochem/highways/rail/aerospace).
• Experience of undertaking the role of Principle Designer.
• Experience of providing designs and specifications which enable financial and commercial negotiations.
• Experience in developing/leading innovation within a Design Engineering Team to assist with the development of innovative solutions in the delivery of water or wastewater projects.

Of course, it’s important that we attract the right skill sets, and those with the right experience but we value character, positivity and a caring attitude in equal weight.

We want people who show up and get involve. Those who are ready to be part of something bigger and who want to make a difference because they care. Is that you?

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

Working here isn’t just a job. You can build a career at Severn Trent. We’ll reward you for it, too. We have a range of benefits that recognise great work, and award-winning training to help you reach your potential.

Here are just some of our favourite's perks that you’ll get being part of the Seven Trent family:

• 28 days holiday + bank holidays (and the ability to buy/ sell up to 5 days per year)
• Annual bonus scheme (of up to £2,250, which is subject to eligibility)
• Leading pension scheme – we will double your contribution (up to 15% when you contribute 7.5%)
• Sharesave – the chance to buy Severn Trent Plc shares at a discounted rate
• Dedicated training and development with our Academy
• Electric vehicle scheme and retail offers
• Family friendly policies
• Two paid volunteering days per year