Wastewater Design Manager – AMP8 Delivery Lead

Cowi; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Cowi is seeking a Design Manager (Wastewater Infrastructure) to lead the design and delivery of wastewater projects within UK water frameworks, supporting AMP8 programmes and improving network resilience.

You will oversee multidisciplinary teams, embed digital engineering and BIM, manage budgets and risks, mentor engineers, and drive sustainability and low-carbon solutions while building trusted client relationships.

Qualifications

• A degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status (e.g. MICE or equivalent).
• Extensive experience in wastewater infrastructure design within UK water sector frameworks (AMP7/AMP8).
• Demonstrated experience in a Design Manager or senior design leadership role within collaborative environments (alliances, frameworks).
• Experience in the design of sewer networks, rising mains, CSOs, pumping stations, and stormwater management systems.
• Demonstrable experience delivering TotEx-driven solutions and understanding of Ofwat regulatory drivers.
• A solid understanding of hydraulic modelling and design tools (InfoWorks ICM, MicroDrainage, or equivalent).
• Experience working under NEC3/NEC4 contracts in a Design Manager or Designer’s PM capacity.
• Knowledge of digital engineering, BIM (ISO ), and common data environments.
• Thorough knowledge of health and safety in design (CDM Regulations) and how to apply safe-by-design principles.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and client-facing skills.
• Commercial awareness, including programme and cost control within design delivery.

Responsibilities

• Managing design delivery of wastewater infrastructure across AMP8 stages from optioneering to construction support.
• Acting as Design Manager within alliances and frameworks, coordinating multidisciplinary teams across civil, mechanical, electrical and ICA disciplines.
• Promoting TotEx-driven design strategies aligning capital spending with ongoing operational performance for network assets.
• Directing the design of wastewater networks, covering gravity sewers, rising mains, pumping stations, CSOs, and stormwater management systems.
• Supporting storm overflow reduction and network resilience programmes, including storage solutions, SuDS, and nature-based interventions.
• Embedding digital engineering and BIM (ISO ) principles into design delivery, including use of common data environments and digital twins where applicable.
• Managing design programmes, resources, risks, and budgets to meet AMP8 delivery targets.
• Managing design risk assessments (HAZID, HAZOP) and ensuring safe-by-design principles in accordance with CDM Regulations.
• Collaborating with contractors, suppliers, and client teams to ensure designs are buildable, efficient, and aligned with delivery strategies.
• Supporting carbon reduction and sustainability objectives, including low-carbon materials and whole-life optimisation.
• Contributing to bids, tenders, and framework opportunities within AMP8 and future investment cycles.
• Building and sustaining trusted client relationships as a reliable delivery partner.
• Mentoring and developing engineers and designers, building capability to meet AMP8 demands.

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline

Chartered Engineer status (e.g. MICE)

Extensive wastewater infrastructure design experience in UK water frameworks (AMP7/AMP8)

Design Manager / senior design leadership experience in collaborative environments

Experience designing sewer networks, rising mains, CSOs, pumping stations, stormwater systems

Understanding of TotEx and Ofwat drivers

Knowledge of hydraulic modelling tools (InfoWorks ICM, MicroDrainage)

Experience with NEC3/NEC4 contracts in Design Manager or Designer PM capacity

Knowledge of digital engineering, BIM (ISO) and common data environments

Health and safety in design (CDM Regulations) and safe-by-design

Strong stakeholder engagement and client-facing skills

Commercial awareness, including programme and cost control

Tools

Hydraulic modelling tools

Job description

Cowi is seeking a Design Manager (Wastewater Infrastructure) to lead the design and delivery of wastewater projects within UK water frameworks, supporting AMP8 programmes and improving network resilience.

You will oversee multidisciplinary teams, embed digital engineering and BIM, manage budgets and risks, mentor engineers, and drive sustainability and low-carbon solutions while building trusted client relationships.