Design Manager

Job Description:

The Opportunity

I am working with a Tier 1 contractor to recruit a Design Manager to support a high‑profile, multi‑year environmental infrastructure upgrade project. This large linear scheme spans more than 20km and involves significant civil engineering, environmental mitigation and multi‑stakeholder coordination.As Design Manager, you will oversee and coordinate multiple design consultancies to ensure technical designs are aligned, compliant and deliverable. You will work closely with the Project Manager and wider delivery team to manage design progress, interface resolution, approvals, risk mitigation and technical governance throughout the project lifecycle.

Role Overview

This role is central to ensuring coherent, buildable and compliant designs are produced across numerous engineering disciplines. You'll be the key interface between design partners, the construction team, landowners and environmental stakeholders-ensuring all design outputs support safe and efficient delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the activities of external design consultancies across civil, environmental and infrastructure disciplines.
• Manage the design programme, ensuring design deliverables are completed on time and aligned to construction needs.
• Oversee design reviews, technical approvals, assurance processes and design risk assessments.
• Identify and resolve design conflicts, clashes and interfaces across multiple work fronts.
• Coordinate design responses to technical queries from the project team and contractors.
• Ensure design outputs comply with relevant legislation, standards, CDM regulations, environmental commitments and client requirements.
• Support stakeholder engagement, including landowners, planning bodies and environmental agencies.
• Work closely with the Project Manager to align design decisions with budget, schedule and delivery constraints.

Requirements

• Experience as a Design Manager or similar within civil engineering, utilities, water infrastructure or linear construction projects.
• Strong understanding of multi‑disciplinary design processes and deliverables.
• Proven background coordinating design consultancies and managing design progress.
• Knowledge of CDM Regulations, design‑stage risk management and technical assurance.
• Ability to manage multiple design streams and resolve technical issues proactively.
• Strong communication skills and confidence engaging with consultants, contractors and stakeholders.

Qualifications & Training

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering or related discipline or comparable.
• Experience working on water, environmental or regulated infrastructure schemes.
• Experience with design management tools, digital collaboration platforms or Common Data Environments (CDEs).
• CSCS

Ideal Candidate ProfileY

ou will be an organised and detail‑driven engineering professional who can manage multiple design disciplines, build strong relationships with external consultancies and maintain rigorous technical oversight. You'll thrive in a collaborative, fast‑moving environment and be confident leading design coordination discussions with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

What you need to do now

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