Senior Design Manager

Construction, Property and Engineering; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 92,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Randstad CPE is recruiting a Senior Design Manager in the North East for a long-term water infrastructure framework. The role focuses on leading design delivery, coordinating with partners, and ensuring BIM/ISO standards are met. Hybrid working and a 14-month+ contract provide framework security.

Candidates should have Civil Engineering qualifications, NEC4/BIM experience, CSCS/SMSTS, a valid UK driving license, and be based in or near Newcastle/Durham. UK work eligibility is required.

Qualifications

• Formal qualification in Civil Engineering (HNC/HND/Degree).
• CSCS Card required.
• SMSTS required.
• Full UK Driving License.
• Strong knowledge of NEC4 contracts, design management processes, and BIM (ISO 19650).
• Location in North East (Newcastle/Durham) with travel to project offices/sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage design delivery across water infrastructure packages per programmes, budgets, and NEC4 requirements.
• Oversee design partners and project teams to ensure technical compliance with client, industry and ISO 19650 BIM standards.
• Hold regular design, risk, CDM and buildability workshops across multidisciplinary teams to align with BIM strategy.
• Facilitate technical assurance reviews and secure necessary design derogations.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Commercial Managers, MEICA Leads and supply chain partners to support procurement and delivery.
• Drive safe, efficient, and buildable design solutions prioritising DfMA and low-carbon initiatives.

Skills

Design management

NEC4 contracts

BIM ISO 19650

CSCS Card

SMSTS

Driving license

Civil Engineering qualification

Education

Civil Engineering qualification (HNC/HND/Degree)

Job description

Senior Design Manager

14-month+ contract (Possibility of extension)

Location - Newcastle / Durham (Hybrid)

Pay Rate - £500 - £550 / DAY LTD

IR35 Determination - Outside

Start Date - Late October 2026

Are you a Design Manager with a strong civil engineering background looking to join a high-value, long-term water enterprise framework in the North East? We at Randstad are partnering with a premier tier-one infrastructure contractor to recruit a Senior Design Manager for a major infrastructure upgrade with a 15+ year framework.

This role offers long-term framework security, a flexible hybrid working structure, and the opportunity to drive digital, low-carbon, and buildable design solutions across major strategic water infrastructure projects.

As the Senior Design Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Leading and managing the design delivery across allocated water infrastructure packages in line with agreed programmes, budgets, and NEC4 contract requirements.
• Overseeing allocated design partners and project teams to ensure technical compliance with client, industry, and ISO 19650 BIM standards.
• Holding regular meetings to manage progress as well as holding regular design, risk, CDM, and buildability workshops across multidisciplinary teams to ensure that design is implemented and managed aligned to the project BIM strategy.
• Facilitating technical assurance reviews and securing necessary design derogations as required.
• Collaborating closely with Project Managers, Commercial Managers, MEICA Leads, and supply chain partners to support procurement and delivery strategy.
• Driving safe, efficient, and buildable design solutions, prioritizing DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) and low-carbon initiatives

The Successful Candidate Will Have:

• Formal qualification in Civil Engineering (HNC/HND/Degree) with practical site/delivery experience.
• CSCS Card
• SMSTS
• A Full UK Driving License.
• Strong knowledge and experience with NEC4 contracts, design management processes, and BIM (ISO 19650).
• Location: Based in or commutable to the North East (Newcastle / Durham)
• Flexibility for working across project offices, client sites, and working from home.

Desirable:

• Experience within the UK Water Sector (Civils, MEICA, or Capital Delivery) is highly desirable.
• Chartered engineer status

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.