Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Location: Manchester (office-based with flexible/hybrid working)

Contract: Permanent, full-time

What you’ll do

• Own the design delivery plan: scope, programme, budgets, design reviews and approvals through each stage.
• Lead multi-discipline teams (civil, MEICA, temporary works, digital engineering) and external design partners/consultancies.
• Drive technical assurance: manage HAZID/HAZOP/ALM reviews, optioneering, buildability, and whole-life considerations.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards, client specifications and legislation (CDM 2015, environmental & quality).
• Coordinate with construction: resolve technical queries (RFI/TQ), support site teams, manage change and risk registers.
• Manage interfaces with planners, estimators, procurement, and commercial to align scope, risk and cost.
• Control the CDE/BIM process: maintain model and drawing deliverables, version control and document management.
• Engage stakeholders: liaise with the client, supply chain, third parties and asset owners to secure timely approvals.
• Report progress: produce design status, KPI, and gateway readiness reports; escalate issues proactively.

About you

• Degree in Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (or related).
• Proven experience managing design on water/utility or civils infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of buildability, temporary works principles, and construction methodologies.
• Working knowledge of NEC contracts, CDM 2015 and quality management systems.
• Comfortable leading meetings and challenging/validating design assumptions and costs.
• Competent with common design/delivery tools (e.g., CDEs, BIM workflows, AutoCAD/Civil 3D/Revit exposure advantageous).
• Excellent communication, stakeholder and supplier-management skills.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to visit sites across the North West.

What we offer

• Competitive salary with car/allowance and matched pension.
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (with options to buy/sell).
• Flexible/hybrid working, life assurance and employee benefits platform.
• Professional development and support toward chartership (ICE/IMechE/IET).
• A collaborative culture focused on safety, delivery and innovation