Design Manager

Design Manager – Water Infrastructure & Major Projects

Some infrastructure projects keep communities running. Others help shape the future of the UK's water network.

This opportunity offers the chance to join one of the UK's most established privately owned civil engineering businesses, delivering major water infrastructure through long-term frameworks rather than short-term projects. With decades of experience in the sector and significant in-house engineering capability, the business has built a reputation for combining technical excellence with practical project delivery.

As Design Manager, you'll lead multidisciplinary engineering teams delivering complex clean water, wastewater, pipeline, pumping station and treatment projects from concept through to construction. You'll play a central role in developing robust technical solutions that are not only compliant and innovative but also practical to build and operate.

The Role

You'll take ownership of engineering delivery across multiple projects, ensuring designs are delivered safely, efficiently and to programme while balancing technical quality, commercial objectives and operational requirements.

Working alongside project managers, delivery teams, specialist consultants and clients, you'll help shape project strategy, manage design risk and ensure engineering solutions add real value throughout the project lifecycle.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and external design consultants throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Driving the development of technically robust, buildable and maintainable solutions for clean water, wastewater, pipelines, pumping stations and network infrastructure.
• Taking responsibility for technical compliance, engineering quality, design assurance and governance.
• Managing engineering programmes, budgets and change control processes to keep projects on track.
• Working closely with operational teams to ensure designs reflect construction methodology and long-term asset performance.
• Coordinating specialist technical input and supporting supply chain engagement where required.
• Managing design risks, temporary works interfaces and engineering approvals.
• Building strong relationships across engineering, commercial, operational and client teams to ensure successful project delivery.

What We're Looking For

• Proven Design Management experience within water or civil engineering infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of clean water, wastewater, foul drainage, pipelines or network infrastructure.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and external consultants.
• Working knowledge of BIM and Common Data Environments.
• Degree or HNC qualified in Civil Engineering (or equivalent).
• Chartered, Incorporated or working towards professional membership.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing engineering budgets, programmes and technical risk.

Why This Opportunity?

Unlike organisations that rely heavily on outsourced design, this business has developed substantial in-house engineering capability, creating closer collaboration between designers, project managers and construction teams. That integrated approach leads to better technical outcomes, faster decision-making and designs that are genuinely buildable.

You'll also benefit from exposure to long-term regulated water programmes, providing continuity of work across major infrastructure investment cycles rather than isolated projects. The breadth of projects—from treatment works and pumping stations to strategic pipelines and network upgrades—means you'll continually develop your technical expertise while working on schemes that have a lasting impact on communities and the environment.

The company is well known for investing in its people, with structured leadership development, professional accreditation support and a strong track record of promoting from within. For experienced Design Managers looking to combine technical leadership with long-term career progression, it's an environment where both projects and careers are built to last.

Package

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Company pension, life assurance and private medical cover.
• Car allowance or company vehicle (role dependent).
• Flexible benefits scheme.
• Leadership development and management coaching.
• Ongoing technical training and support towards professional development.
• Long-term project pipeline providing excellent career stability and progression.