Overview

Highways Design Manager - Principal / Associate Engineer role at Mott MacDonald. Location opportunities across the UK (see locations). The role focuses on senior leadership for major road projects with emphasis on Design and Build (D&B) schemes, client engagement, and bid activity to support growth targets while delivering client and societal outcomes.

Location

Cambridge, Croydon, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Reading, Sheffield, Southampton; UK

Recruiter

Madeleine Knight

Key Responsibilities

• Develop trusted relationships with key contractor partners and their customers (e.g., National Highways, Local Authorities).
• Lead acquisition and delivery of profitable projects in line with agreed strategies.
• Support the Project Director and Project Managers through leadership and governance.
• Deliver to budget, programme and quality in all cases.
• Foster a collaborative contractor-led culture across project teams, supply chain, and partners.
• Enhance client satisfaction and undertake project reviews to foster learning and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to major project bids, ensuring a viable commercial strategy and meeting customer needs.
• Collaborate with Account Leads and Client Directors to position for and capture major bid opportunities in the roads market.
• Maintain technical capability with references to Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) and MCHW.
• Coach and mentor Early Career Professionals.

Candidate specification

• Seasoned highways professional with a successful track record delivering major highway projects in a D&B environment.
• Strong design and construction techniques knowledge; awareness of Health & Safety legislation applied to highways design and construction.
• Experience with project contractual, financial, and programme management and fostering collaborative cross-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to communicate targets and priorities to staff, clients, and partners across various media.
• Ability to operate effectively in demanding D&B environments and resolve complex on-site design/construction issues while managing client expectations.
• Capacity to meet tight schedules and targets; ability to coach and develop team members; flexibility to travel to client sites or other offices as required.

Desirable Qualifications/Experience

• Degree in Civil Engineering or related subject
• Chartered with ICE or CIHT (or equivalent)
• Experience delivering cost-effective and innovative major highways projects at a level expected of a Project Director, Manager, or Design/Technical Lead
• Experience of D&B projects for National Highways
• Experience overseeing large project teams
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage inputs from multiple disciplines
• Ability to develop strong professional relationships with clients and partners
• Significant experience applying road design standards (DMRB) and specifications (MCHW)

Benefits and environment

• Health and wellbeing: Private medical insurance; health cash plan; access to Peppy for menopause support; comprehensive wellbeing program; flexible benefits including health plan options for you and family.
• Financial wellbeing: Pension contributions matching; life assurance up to 4x salary (option to 6x); income protection and other flexible benefits; annual bonus schemes.
• Lifestyle and work-life balance: 33-35 days holiday (depending on level) with buy/sell leave options; holiday entitlement increases with service; savings schemes and retail discounts.
• Enhanced family and carers leave: Maternity/adoption leave up to 26 weeks; shared parental leave up to 24 weeks; additional caring days.
• Learning and development: Professional subscription; mentoring, training, and development opportunities.
• Networking and community: Access to employee networks and social impact programs.

Additional

We are an equal opportunity employer; we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are not currently offering sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa route; we welcome applications from those eligible for alternative routes.