Design Manager - Water

JobSpace; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted health insurance

Gym membership discounts

Social club events

Job summary

Beca in Christchurch is seeking a hands-on Design Manager to join our Southern Water team and lead delivery of water infrastructure projects from concept to construction. You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage scope, budget and programme, and build strong client relationships to deliver meaningful outcomes for communities.

With 4+ years of relevant experience, you will be proactive, organised and safety-focused, and you may receive relocation and immigration support if eligible.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years' experience in project or design management, ideally within water infrastructure (three waters, treatment plants, pipelines, or networks).
• Experience working across multidisciplinary teams and engaging with clients.

Responsibilities

• Support project delivery by managing scope, budget and programme.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams and contribute to design development aligned with client expectations.
• Build relationships with clients and participate in meetings and workshops.
• Identify and manage project risks.
• Support construction monitoring activities where required.

Skills

Design management

Project management

Water infrastructure

Client coordination

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Due to an internal move, we're looking for a Design Manager to join our Southern Water team in Christchurch.

In this role, you'll be hands on supporting the delivery of water infrastructure projects across a range of sectors. Working alongside experienced leaders, you'll be involved from concept through to construction, helping deliver meaningful outcomes for our clients and communities.

You’ll play a key role in:

• Supporting project delivery, including managing scope, budget and programme
• Coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and contributing to design development aligned with client expectations
• Building relationships with clients and participating in meetings and workshops
• Identifying and managing project risks
• Supporting construction monitoring activities where required

This is a great opportunity for a motivated, hands on team player who is keen to take ownership, grow their capability, and continue building a strong foundation in design management within the water sector.

Ko wai koe | About you

You're a proactive, solutions-focused professional who thrives in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. You enjoy building strong relationships with clients and colleagues and contribute positively to successful project outcomes.

You’ll have:

• Minimum of 4 years' experience in project or design management, ideally within water infrastructure e.g. three waters, treatment plants, pipelines, or networks
• Experience working across multidisciplinary teams and be willing to engage with the client.
• Have a foundation in commercial awareness and an understanding of project delivery principles
• A proactive and organised approach, with strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to health & safety

A career with Beca will provide you with:

• A supportive and caring work environment where you can bring your whole self to work.
• Support with relocation and immigration to suitable applicants.
• Flexible working arrangements to balance your personal / family commitments.
• Opportunities to learn from our industry experts and technical gurus across the Asia Pacific.
• A highly supportive environment of sharing and collaboration.
• Excellent benefits provided to all staff – including discounted health insurance, discounts on gym memberships, and a number of social club events.

Beca prides itself on supporting a diverse and inclusive culture – open to inputs from creative people of all genders, ethnicity, identity, thought and experiences.

Beca is one of Asia Pacific's largest independent advisory, design, and engineering consultancies. After a century of operation, we have grown from a family-owned business to one of the most progressive, client-centric professional services consultancies in our region. We have more than 4,000 employees in 24 offices around the world and have delivered projects in more than 70 countries.

'Creative people together transforming our world' is our vision. It reflects our culture, our aspirations, and our purpose - to make everyday better. We create value through understanding and delivering successful solutions, exceptional service and our enduring relationships and use our skills and systems to empower innovation; helping our clients shape communities, optimise their assets and streamline their operations.