At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design delivery for water and wastewater projects, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to innovation in infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, health plans, and generous training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainable design while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in regulated infrastructure design and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are seeking two experienced Regional Design Leads (West and East) to take ownership of design leadership and delivery across a programme of water and wastewater projects. This role is critical in ensuring high-quality, compliant, and timely design solutions for regionally aligned clients and other agreed frameworks. Contracted to 40 hrs a week Monday - Friday. Working from our MSN office (West) and Maidstone office (East).
Design Leadership & Delivery
- Lead the design elements and deliverables from outline design through to final handover.
- Ensure deliverables are clearly defined, assigned, understood, and achieved to agreed programmes and quality standards.
- Monitor progress, proactively identifying risks, delays, opportunities, and potential cost or programme impacts.
- Coordinate, review, and drive RFI schedules to ensure timely availability of critical information.
Team Leadership & Resource Management
- Lead, develop, and grow a team of seconded engineers, designers, support staff, and subcontracted specialists.
- Ensure deliverables are agreed, assigned, and understood at all stages from outline design to final handover.
- Ensure dates are agreed, shared with the PM and planners, checked in on, and achieved.
- Advise on any potential opportunities, delays, risks, changes to programme or planned costs.
- Forecast design labour requirements, identify future skills gaps, and work with Design Managers to ensure appropriate resourcing and capacity.
- Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and leadership across the regional design team.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
- Act as a key interface between design, project management, planning, commercial teams, clients, suppliers, and external technical advisors.
- Attend and contribute to project meetings (online and in person) to represent the design and technical function.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Technical Assurance & Governance
- Play an active role in design assurance activities in line with the Bridges Way, including DRAs, ALMs, Buildability Reviews, and HAZOPs.
- Support wider technical and commercial reviews during both design and construction phases.
- Ensure alignment and coordination across disciplines through periodic reviews of deliverables.
Innovation, Compliance & Risk Management
- Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and best practice across projects and designs.
- Identify and manage scope changes, ensuring compliance with change control processes and advising on contractual, cost, and programme implications.
- Identify Temporary Works requirements and ensure they are correctly communicated, managed, and controlled.
- Support the production of specifications and statements of need for plant, contract designs, and surveys, ensuring compliance with industry standards, legislation, and client requirements.
- Coordinate resolution of technical challenges, escalating risks and issues where required.
Supply Chain & Contractor Oversight
- Oversee and coordinate contracted designers, surveyors, and technical support providers.
- Review costs, programmes, deliverables, and specifications to ensure value, quality, and compliance.
Requirements
Essential
- Strong experience delivering design within water and wastewater or similar regulated infrastructure environments.
- Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary design teams.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Strong understanding of design assurance, risk management, and change control processes.
- Proactive, collaborative, and solutions-focused approach.
Desirable
- Chartered or working towards chartership in Engineering (or equivalent), or relevant work experience.
Benefits
- Competitive salaries.
- Company car/car allowance.
- Health cash plan with Healthshield.
- Standard Life Pension Scheme – 5% company contribution.
- Life Assurance Scheme.
- Employee Discount Scheme.
- Bike 2 Work scheme.
- Training and development opportunities.
- Employee referral scheme – £1,000 if you successfully introduce someone.
- Employee recognition schemes.
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay.
EEO Statement
Bridges is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to ensuring equality and diversity within the workplace.
Project Manager (Divisional Design Lead) in Maidstone employer: Bridges - Trusted Intelligent Engineering Partner
Bridges is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits including a health cash plan and generous pension contributions, as well as ample opportunities for professional development, employees are empowered to grow their careers while making a meaningful impact in the water and wastewater sector. The supportive culture fosters strong teamwork and values diversity, making it an ideal place for those seeking rewarding employment in a forward-thinking organisation.
Contact Details:
Bridges - Trusted Intelligent Engineering Partner Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager (Divisional Design Lead) in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Project Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in leading design teams and managing projects. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've tackled challenges in water and wastewater projects.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We want to see your application and get to know you better. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your CV lands directly in the right hands.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager (Divisional Design Lead) in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Project Manager role. Highlight your experience in design leadership and delivery, especially in water and wastewater projects. 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 the role. Mention specific examples of your leadership experience and how you've successfully managed multidisciplinary teams in the past.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:In your application, emphasise your excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. We value collaboration, so share examples of how you've built strong relationships with clients and team members in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridges - Trusted Intelligent Engineering Partner
✨Know Your Design Fundamentals
Brush up on your knowledge of water and wastewater design principles. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, focusing on your role in ensuring compliance and quality standards. This will show your expertise and how you can contribute to their team.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams. Discuss how you've managed resources, mentored team members, and ensured deliverables were met on time. This will demonstrate your capability to lead and develop a team effectively.
✨Master Stakeholder Management
Think of instances where you've successfully collaborated with various stakeholders. Be ready to explain how you built relationships and communicated effectively with clients, suppliers, and internal teams. This is crucial for the role, so make it a focal point in your interview.
✨Emphasise Innovation and Risk Management
Prepare to discuss how you've driven continuous improvement and managed risks in past projects. Share specific examples of how you've identified opportunities for innovation or handled scope changes. This will show your proactive approach and alignment with their goals.
