Senior Design Manager

Avove Utilities; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Bonus scheme

Enhanced pension

Family friendly policies

Volunteering days

Discount scheme

Health cash plan

Private GP helpline

Job summary

Avove is seeking a Senior Design Manager in Warrington to lead multidisciplinary design teams on water and wastewater projects. You will drive design governance, resources, and stakeholder management to deliver on time, within budget, and to quality standards.

The role requires Chartered Engineer status and extensive experience with complex water projects, NEC contracts, and strong client-facing skills. Hybrid working is offered, with a mix of office and home-based days, plus a comprehensive

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Engineering (or equivalent) with Chartered Engineer status.
• Experience delivering complex water and wastewater projects.
• Proven track record leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience working with clients, external design partners, and dispersed teams.
• Expertise in design governance, technical assurance, risk management, and programme delivery.
• Commercial awareness with NEC contracts and AMP programmes.
• Knowledge of CDM regulations and experience as Principal Designer.
• Experience developing engineering capability and growing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams to deliver complex water and infrastructure projects safely, on time, and within budget.
• Manage multiple design workstreams, ensuring quality, programme, and commercial objectives are met.
• Provide technical leadership and ensure compliance with industry standards, regulations, and safe-by-design principles.
• Build strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and operational teams to support successful project delivery.
• Lead design assurance activities, manage risks, and drive continuous improvement across programmes.
• Plan and coordinate engineering resources, including external design partners and consultants.
• Mentor and develop engineers and Design Project Managers, promoting a high-performing and collaborative culture

Job description

We’re looking for a Senior Design Manager to join our United Utilities design team.

Location: Warrington (we offer a hybrid work policy with time split between office and home working)

Salary: £65,000 - £75,000 Depending on experience

Contract Type: Permanent

Benefits: Car/allowance, discretionary bonus scheme, enhanced pension, family friendly policies.

As a Senior Design Manager, you will lead the delivery of complex multidisciplinary design programmes across water and wastewater projects. Responsible for managing design performance, resources, governance, and stakeholder relationships, you will ensure engineering solutions are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with programme, budget, and quality objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams to deliver complex water and infrastructure projects safely, on time, and within budget.
• Manage multiple design workstreams, ensuring quality, programme, and commercial objectives are met.
• Provide technical leadership and ensure compliance with industry standards, regulations, and safe-by-design principles.
• Build strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and operational teams to support successful project delivery.
• Lead design assurance activities, manage risks, and drive continuous improvement across programmes.
• Plan and coordinate engineering resources, including external design partners and consultants.
• Mentor and develop engineers and Design Project Managers, promoting a high-performing and collaborative culture

About you

• Degree-qualified in Engineering (or equivalent experience) with Chartered Engineer status.
• Extensive experience delivering complex water and wastewater projects, including major non-infrastructure programmes.
• Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and managing multiple projects or programmes simultaneously.
• Strong experience working with clients, external design partners, and geographically dispersed teams.
• Demonstrable expertise in design governance, technical assurance, risk management, and programme delivery.
• Commercially aware, with experience operating within NEC contracts and AMP programmes.
• Knowledge of CDM regulations, including experience acting as Principal Designer.
• Experienced in developing engineering capability, growing teams, and supporting wider business growth initiatives.

This role is known internally as a Senior Project Manager

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa process. Applicants must therefore have, and maintain, an alternative right to work for the duration of employment.

What’s in it for you?

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company car allowance
• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Private GP Helpline & Health Cash Plan
• Avove Discount Scheme
• Family friendly policies
• A selection of lifestyle benefit options
• Financial wellbeing programme
• Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing and onsite mental health first aiders to support our colleagues
• We love to give back so we offer you volunteering days in your community and charity matched giving where we will boost your fundraising.

Why join Avove?

At Avove, we’re proud to create an environment where people can build meaningful careers, develop their skills and feel supported to reach their full potential. We invest in training and development, provide opportunities to grow, and are committed to a workplace where safety, wellbeing and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do. With a strong focus on supporting our people and their families through a broad range of benefits, Avove is a place where you can feel valued, make a real impact and take the next step in your career with confidence.

About Avove

Avove is a leading infrastructure services provider, delivering critical utility and energy solutions across the UK. With a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and innovation, we specialise in the design, maintenance, and renewal of essential infrastructure for water, energy, and telecoms networks. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to long-term investment in training, development, and modern equipment to support our teams in delivering high-quality, reliable services for our clients and communities.

We are an equal opportunities employer

At the heart of what we do is a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate what makes each of us unique and are building a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to be their authentic selves. If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the application or interview process, please let us know and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can support you.