Senior Design Manager (SUBS)

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure; Motherwell; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working

Contributory pension scheme

Annual bonus scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Job summary

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure is seeking a Senior Design Manager (Substations) to lead design management across complex electricity infrastructure projects. You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, ensure compliant and buildable designs, and drive programme-aligned design delivery in collaboration with clients and delivery partners.

The role emphasises governance, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable design practices within a major energy project portfolio in the UK.

Qualifications

• Experience leading design management on major infrastructure, utilities, energy, construction or engineering projects.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary design teams through project delivery and tender stages.
• Experience managing internal and external design consultants and delivering design management from inception to construction.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all design activities across project delivery and tender phases.
• Establish and maintain an effective design team structure and resource plan.
• Provide a professional, customer-focused design management service to clients, delivery teams, partners, and suppliers.
• Develop and implement project design strategies to support successful project outcomes.
• Drive innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement throughout the design process.

Skills

Design leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Multidisciplinary coord

Project delivery

Design governance

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

ViewPoint

ACC

Office Suite

Job description

Motherwell, UK

Talented people are the key to our success.

Would you like to work for an inclusive and collaborative organisation that is helping to deliver some of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects?

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Design Manager (Substations) to join our Energy business, supporting the delivery of a major electricity infrastructure project. This is a key leadership role responsible for managing and coordinating all design activities through detailed design and project delivery, ensuring safe, compliant, innovative, and commercially effective solutions are developed and successfully implemented.

Working closely with project teams, clients, design consultants, and key stakeholders, you will lead the design management process across complex substation projects, ensuring designs are fully coordinated, meet programme requirements, and are ready for construction.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing business with a strong pipeline of energy and infrastructure work, while playing a pivotal role in the successful delivery of critical network projects.

Role Responsibilities

Design Leadership & Management

• Lead and manage all design activities across project delivery and tender phases.
• Establish, develop, and maintain an effective design team structure and resource plan.
• Provide a professional, customer-focused design management service to clients, delivery teams, partners, and suppliers.
• Develop and implement project design strategies to support successful project outcomes.
• Drive innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement throughout the design process.

Design Coordination & Delivery

• Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams through all project design stages.
• Ensure design outputs are fully integrated, coordinated, and aligned with project requirements.
• Plan, manage, and chair design reviews, workshops, and coordination meetings.
• Produce and maintain design programmes aligned with overall project schedules.
• Monitor design progress and provide regular updates to project stakeholders.
• Work closely with engineering and delivery teams to ensure designs are practical, buildable, and support successful construction delivery.

Compliance, Quality & Governance

• Ensure designs comply with project requirements, legislation, industry standards, codes of practice, and statutory obligations.
• Maintain compliance with company design management procedures and governance processes.
• Coordinate design activities with external stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and statutory authorities where required.
• Manage design change control processes, ensuring changes are properly evaluated, approved, and implemented.
• Ensure all design deliverables meet quality, technical, commercial, and programme expectations.

Commercial & Sustainable Delivery

• Manage design development within agreed budgets and project constraints.
• Support cost-effective design solutions that deliver value without compromising safety or quality.
• Promote sustainable design principles throughout project development and delivery.
• Ensure sustainability considerations are embedded within design solutions and project objectives.

Stakeholder Management

• Develop strong working relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and project teams.
• Act as a key liaison between design and delivery functions.
• Support collaborative working to achieve project objectives and operational excellence.
• Influence decision-making at all levels to ensure successful project outcomes.

Qualifications

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• HNC, HND, Degree, or equivalent qualification in an engineering, construction, or related discipline.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution is desirable.

Experience

• Experience managing design activities on major infrastructure, utilities, energy, construction, or engineering projects.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary design teams through project delivery and tender stages.
• Experience managing both internal and external design consultants.
• Experience delivering design management services from project inception through to construction.
• Experience coordinating complex stakeholder interfaces and design review processes.
• Experience managing design change processes and ensuring compliance with project governance requirements.
• Experience supporting bids, tenders, and project development activities.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary design coordination activities on substation projects.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong understanding of design management principles and best practice.
• Knowledge of construction methodologies, engineering standards, and design coordination processes.
• Understanding of project planning, programme management, and design delivery workflows.
• Knowledge of design governance, risk management, and change control procedures.
• Understanding of sustainable design principles and their application within infrastructure projects.
• Ability to interpret technical information and effectively coordinate across multiple engineering disciplines.

Software & Systems

• Experience using ViewPoint and Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) or similar project management and collaboration platforms.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and design management tools.

Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, mentor, and develop teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proactive, solutions-focused, and commercially aware.
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to quality and compliance.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to influence and build relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
• Driven to deliver innovative, coordinated, and successful project outcomes.

Desirable

• Experience delivering design management on electricity transmission or substation projects.
• Experience working within regulated utility environments.
• Experience leading design activities from detailed design through construction delivery.
• Professional membership with a recognised engineering or construction institution.
• Experience with collaborative project delivery models and complex infrastructure programmes.

What is in it for you?

Below is a selection of benefits that are available to you at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure.

• Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy five days.
• Flexible and adaptable working
• Family friendly policies and work/life approach
• Mentoring programmes and continuous learning support
• Contributory pension scheme
• Annual bonus scheme
• Recognition scheme and long service awards
• Car scheme and Private Medical Insurance (if applicable to role)
• We also provide the option to participate in our share-save scheme; discounts including cycle to work and gym membership; a support and advice service for colleagues and their families, and more.

About The Energy Business Unit

We have extensive experience in upgrading and replacing energy networks, delivering asset management for major UK energy companies and network operators.

Our transmission and distribution services involve the upgrading and replacement of electricity assets both above and below ground. Within the electricity sector we install and maintain assets, including excavation, laying, and jointing of cables, (fluid filled and XLPe), substations and overhead line, new build, repair, and refurbishment services.

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team where you will have the opportunity to progress in your career. We are looking for people who share our passion on delivering great customer service whilst also being able to work within an enjoyable and hardworking team environment. Talented people are the key to our success, so if this sounds like you.

Morgan Sindall is an equal opportunities employer and has been accredited with the Positive About Disabled People ‘Two Ticks’ accreditation. We are also an Investors in People company.

Morgan Sindall is unable to employ anyone who does not have the legal right to live and work in the UK.