Senior Design Manager

Jacobs; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Hybrid work model

Pension contributions up to 10%

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a senior design leadership professional to shape major water and wastewater programmes in the UK. You will unify engineering disciplines, construction teams and client stakeholders to make clear design decisions and minimize risk.

You will champion buildability, whole-life value and safe, commercially deliverable outcomes while influencing how design is managed across the practice. A flexible, hybrid working model is offered.

Qualifications

• Technical leadership in design and project management of large infrastructure programmes.
• Expertise in multidisciplinary engineering and construction integration.
• Experience with NEC3/4 contracts and change control processes.
• Knowledge of CDM regulations and related processes.
• Demonstrated problem solving, innovation and drive for excellence.
• Proven track record of fostering a success-focused culture.
• Ability to operate with autonomy across diverse, complex projects.
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain technical issues clearly.

Responsibilities

• Shape how water and wastewater programmes move from strategy to safe, buildable infrastructure.
• Lead across engineering disciplines, construction teams and client stakeholders to inform design decisions.
• Identify risk early, improve buildability and ensure whole-life value is considered.
• Build trusted client relationships and provide strategic design leadership as a senior contact.
• Influence design management across the wider practice for standardisation and delivery efficiency.

Skills

Technical leadership

Multidisciplinary engineering

NEC3/4 contracts

Change control experience

CDM regulations knowledge

Problem solving & innovation

Autonomy across complex projects

Strong communication

Job description

At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Responsibilities

You will help shape how some of the UK’s most important water and wastewater programmes move from strategy into safe, buildable and effective infrastructure.

Your leadership will bring engineering disciplines, construction teams and client stakeholders together around clear design decisions. You will help identify risk earlier, improve buildability and ensure commissioning, operational performance and whole‑life value are considered throughout the design process.

You will play a key role in building trusted client relationships, providing strategic design leadership and acting as a senior point of contact to help shape project outcomes and identify future opportunities.

This is a role where judgement matters. You will be trusted to challenge assumptions, manage competing priorities and give clients confidence that complex programmes are technically sound and commercially deliverable.

You will also influence how design is managed across the wider practice. By improving approaches to standardisation, automation, assurance and multidisciplinary delivery, you will help teams work more effectively and create stronger outcomes for clients and communities.

Qualifications

• Technical leadership in the design and project management of large‑scale infrastructure programmes
• Expertise in multidisciplinary engineering and construction integration
• NEC3/4 contract and change control experience
• Knowledge of CDM regulations and processes
• Passion and enthusiasm for problem solving, creating and delivering innovation
• Track record in developing and fostering a culture focused on success
• Ability to operate autonomously across a wide range of complex projects with authority
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain complex technical issues to stakeholders with differing backgrounds and levels of expertise

Benefits

• Competitive salary reflecting your skills and experience
• Flexible work arrangements – hybrid, part‑time and flexible hours/logistics
• Robust pension contributions up to 10% of salary
• Comprehensive health coverage – single medical cover, digital GP service and optional partner/family coverage
• Family planning support – fertility healthcare and family planning services
• Enhanced parental leave – enhanced leave pay and access to employee assistance programs
• Life assurance at 4× your salary
• Well‑being hub – free access to wellbeing apps
• Professional development – professional membership fees and CPD opportunities

EEO Statement

As a disability‑confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for the role.