Senior Design Manager

Browne Construction; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Browne Construction in the UK is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead consistency, quality, and innovation across our design operations.

You will embed best-practice design management processes, performance frameworks and reporting standards while mentoring Design Managers and guiding multidisciplinary teams. This is a strategically pivotal role within our national portfolio.

You may step in as a project-level Design Manager for key schemes, with an on-site presence at least three days a week.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of design management experience, especially in water/wastewater projects.
• Leadership of multidisciplinary design teams or regional design functions.
• Experience balancing strategic oversight with hands‑on project delivery.
• Strong background in establishing and managing design performance frameworks.
• In-depth understanding of CDM regulations and health & safety in design.

Responsibilities

• Lead consistency, quality and innovation across all regional design operations.
• Embed best-practice design management processes, performance frameworks and reporting standards.
• Mentor and develop Design Managers to raise professional capability.
• Step in as project-level Design Manager for key schemes when required.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Organised

Analytical thinking

Collaborative

Water/wastewater tech

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Design Management, or related discipline

Chartered status or working towards it

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Design Manager to take a leading role in driving consistency, quality, and innovation across our UK design operations.

This pivotal position focuses on embedding best-practice design management processes, performance frameworks, and reporting standards across all regions, ensuring our teams deliver high-quality outcomes that meet both client expectations and organisational goals.

Alongside strategic oversight, the Senior Design Manager will also have the flexibility to step in as a project-level Design Manager for key schemes, providing hands-on leadership to multidisciplinary teams. Central to the role is the mentoring and professional development of Design Managers, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and technical excellence that elevates our entire design function.

Please note that this role requires you to be in the office or on site at least 3 times a week.

About Browne

At Browne, we are engineering with purpose.

We are a leading UK contractor delivering specialist engineering, construction and maintenance services across the water, wastewater and civil engineering sectors. From building pipelines and upgrading pumping stations to delivering complex mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation (MEICA) solutions, we help provide cleaner water, stronger infrastructure and more reliable services for communities across the UK.

Our expertise spans the full lifecycle of water and wastewater assets, combining civil engineering, process engineering, power systems, control systems, system integration and long-term maintenance. We work closely with our clients to deliver safe, sustainable and innovative solutions that improve operational performance and support future resilience.

We offer a wide range of career opportunities both on site and behind the scenes. Whether your skills are in engineering, project delivery, safety, sustainability, commercial, planning, automation or business support, there's a place for you at Browne. We value different perspectives and experiences, and we're proud to be a Silver Award Investors in Diversity accredited employer.

Our teams use smart technology, technical expertise and a hands-on approach to deliver high-quality outcomes safely and efficiently. From construction and infrastructure projects to advanced control systems and commissioning, we support our clients in solving complex challenges and maintaining essential services.

Browne is part of Renew Holdings plc, a UK-based group of specialist engineering businesses.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced design leader who combines strategic insight with a practical understanding of project delivery. Someone who excels at guiding teams, building strong relationships, and championing consistency, quality, and innovation across diverse regions and project types.

Experience

• 10+ years' experience in design management, with extensive exposure to water and wastewater projects.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary design teams or regional design functions.
• Experience balancing strategic oversight with hands-on project-level delivery.
• Strong background in establishing and managing design performance frameworks.
• In-depth understanding of CDM regulations and the integration of health and safety in design.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strategic thinker with strong leadership and mentoring capability.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-engagement skills.
• Highly organised and detail-driven, ensuring consistency across regions.
• Proactive, analytical mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Collaborative and adaptable, confident working across multiple teams and locations.
• Advanced understanding of water and wastewater treatment technologies.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Design Management, or a related discipline.
• Chartered status or working towards it.

If you're ready to shape the future of design delivery, mentor talented teams, and elevate standards across a national portfolio, we'd love to hear from you.

The Company has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. We have a vast number of employees, and provide support to clients from all over the country