Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design processes for exciting water and wastewater projects, ensuring timely and coordinated delivery.
- Company: Join a growing design contractor with a collaborative and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible contract options, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape impactful projects in the water industry while enjoying autonomy and variety in your role.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or design, with experience in water/wastewater design and team coordination.
- Other info: Great career growth potential in a dynamic environment with a strong project pipeline.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A growing design contractor working across UK water and wastewater projects is seeking a Design Manager to oversee the coordination and delivery of technical design packages across clean water and wastewater infrastructure schemes. The role can be offered on either a permanent basis or as an outside IR35 contract, making it suitable for experienced Design Managers looking for long-term security or flexible contract engagement.
The position sits at the heart of project delivery, bridging engineering, project management and client teams to ensure designs are coordinated, buildable and delivered in line with programme and commercial expectations.
The Role
The Design Manager will be responsible for managing the end-to-end design process across multiple projects, from early concept through to detailed design and construction support. Working closely with internal engineers, external stakeholders and supply chain partners, the role will ensure that design information is issued on time, risks are managed and interfaces are effectively controlled. The position requires a strong understanding of water and wastewater design delivery, combined with the ability to manage programmes, workflows and technical interfaces across multi-disciplinary teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the design process across water and wastewater projects, ensuring coordinated and timely delivery
- Act as the central point of contact for design-related matters on assigned projects
- Coordinate inputs from civil, mechanical, electrical and process disciplines
- Manage design programmes, deliverables and information flow in line with project requirements
- Identify and manage design risks, changes and technical queries
- Support project managers with planning, reporting and client communication
- Ensure designs comply with relevant standards, specifications and asset owner requirements
About You
- Degree qualified in an engineering or design-related discipline
- Background in water and/or wastewater design within a contractor or consultancy environment
- Experience coordinating multi-disciplinary design teams and managing design interfaces
- Strong understanding of UK water industry standards and delivery frameworks
- Confident communicator, comfortable working with clients, stakeholders and delivery teams
- Chartered or working towards professional accreditation is desirable
Why Apply?
This is an opportunity to join a collaborative design-led contractor where the Design Manager plays a critical role in shaping how projects are delivered. Whether engaged permanently or on an outside IR35 contract basis, the role offers autonomy, variety and exposure to a strong pipeline of water and wastewater schemes. Hybrid working is supported, with regular time spent in the Manchester office.
Design Manager in Manchester employer: Alexander Associates Limited
Contact Detail:
Alexander Associates Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the water and wastewater industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best design projects. Make sure it’s easy to share online. When you apply through our website, include a link to your portfolio so potential employers can see what you bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK water industry standards. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed design processes in the past. We want to hear about your experiences coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and overcoming challenges!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Design Manager position.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Design Manager role. Highlight your experience in water and wastewater design, and don’t forget to showcase your ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your passion for design management and how you’ve successfully coordinated projects in the past. Let us know what excites you about working with us!
Showcase Relevant Projects: When filling out your application, be sure to mention specific projects you've worked on that relate to water and wastewater design. We love seeing real examples of your work and how you’ve tackled challenges in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alexander Associates Limited
✨Know Your Design Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of water and wastewater design. Familiarise yourself with the latest UK industry standards and delivery frameworks. Being able to discuss specific projects or challenges you've faced in this area will show that you're not just a manager, but a knowledgeable expert.
✨Showcase Your Coordination Skills
Since the role involves managing multi-disciplinary teams, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully coordinated inputs from different engineering disciplines. Highlight any tools or methods you used to ensure effective communication and timely delivery of design packages.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions related to design processes and risk management. Think about potential design risks you've encountered and how you addressed them. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to manage design interfaces effectively.
✨Communicate Confidently
As a Design Manager, you'll need to communicate with clients and stakeholders regularly. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Consider doing mock interviews with a friend to refine your communication style and ensure you come across as approachable and professional.
