Design Manager(water)

Design Manager(water)

Winchester Full-Time 48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead design delivery for water infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance and quality.
  • Company: Join a leading civil engineering firm focused on innovative infrastructure solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on community water systems while working with diverse teams.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in design management, degree in Civil Engineering, and strong BIM knowledge required.
  • Other info: Position based across multiple locations from Portsmouth to Kent; full-time hours.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.

A highly capable Design Manager is required to lead the end-to-end delivery of technical solutions across a variety of infrastructure projects. This includes clean water, wastewater and biosolids treatment, pumping stations, pipelines, and network upgrades. This role is accountable for ensuring designs are technically robust, compliant, commercially aligned, and delivered on time and within budget. The position involves managing design consultants and multi-disciplinary engineering teams while maintaining a strong focus on constructability, operability, and safety throughout the design lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

  • Technical Leadership
    • Take full ownership of the technical integrity, compliance, and quality of design outputs throughout project lifecycles.
    • Ensure all solutions comply with relevant customer specifications, statutory requirements, and engineering standards.
    • Oversee the performance of design consultants, ensuring obligations under contract are fulfilled, and escalate where necessary.
    • Lead the development of practical, safe, and cost-effective asset designs that meet project objectives and operational needs.
    • Direct internal engineers and partner companies in the development of design deliverables.
  • Project & Design Management
    • Manage design scopes, engineering budgets, and schedules for approval prior to submission to Project Managers.
    • Implement robust change control procedures to manage budget, schedule, and scope variations.
    • Ensure all design deliverables (drawings, calculations, specifications) are checked, verified, and aligned with Health & Safety legislation and quality systems.
    • Provide technical input into supply chain selection and manage specialist designer contributions.
    • Understand the role of temporary works in construction projects and manage their design in collaboration with appointed specialists.
  • Collaboration & Governance
    • Collaborate closely with project managers, engineering leads, and operational teams to ensure the seamless integration of design with delivery.
    • Liaise with stakeholders including technical assurance, maintenance, and construction teams to ensure cohesive project outcomes.
    • Support and contribute to internal reviews, audits, and quality assurance processes.
    • Maintain and update design trackers and ensure transparent progress reporting against deadlines and KPIs.

Performance Objectives

  • Deliver accurate internal and external forecasting.
  • Effectively challenge and validate survey data, reports, and third-party designs.
  • Proactively identify design risks and realise value engineering opportunities.
  • Meet or exceed profit targets and reporting deadlines.
  • Maintain and monitor high-quality design trackers and programme tools.
  • Build and sustain strong relationships with stakeholders, clients, and the supply chain.

Key Relationships

  • Regional, Engineering, Operations, and Contracts Managers.
  • Site Agents and project delivery teams.
  • Technical Assurance and HSEQ professionals.
  • Clients, consultants, and strategic supply chain partners.
  • Public and community stakeholders where relevant.

Candidate Profile

Essential

  • Minimum 10 years’ experience in design and design management roles.
  • Proven expertise in potable water mains and foul water drainage systems.
  • Strong understanding of BIM processes and Common Data Environments (CDEs).
  • Degree or HNC in Civil Engineering (or related discipline).
  • Membership (or working towards) of a recognised engineering institution (IEng/CEng).
  • Excellent people management, time management, and communication skills.
  • Results-oriented, self-driven, and commercially aware.

Desirable

  • Experience working on major UK infrastructure or water sector programmes.
  • Familiarity with asset delivery frameworks or regulated environments.
  • Sound understanding of temporary works design principles.

Employment Details

  • Employment Type: Permanent.
  • Location: Portsmouth to Kent (Hampshire multiple locations).
  • Hours of Work: Full Time (45 hours per week).

Design Manager(water) employer: Danny Sullivan & Sons Ltd

As a leading employer in the civil engineering and infrastructure sector, we offer a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our Portsmouth to Kent locations provide employees with access to diverse projects in the water sector, alongside competitive benefits and opportunities for professional growth. We prioritise a culture of safety, quality, and teamwork, ensuring that our Design Managers are supported in delivering impactful solutions while advancing their careers.
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Contact Detail:

Danny Sullivan & Sons Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Manager(water)

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the civil engineering and water sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends and opportunities in design management.

✨Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with BIM processes and Common Data Environments (CDEs) as they are crucial for this role. Consider taking online courses or certifications that can enhance your understanding and demonstrate your commitment to staying current in the field.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience with managing design consultants and multi-disciplinary teams. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've ensured compliance and quality in past projects, as this will showcase your leadership skills.

✨Tip Number 4

Research StudySmarter and our projects to understand our values and objectives. Tailor your conversations during interviews to align with our mission, demonstrating how your experience and vision can contribute to our success in delivering infrastructure solutions.

We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager(water)

Technical Leadership
Design Management
Project Management
Budget Management
Change Control Procedures
Health & Safety Compliance
Quality Assurance
Stakeholder Engagement
BIM Processes
Common Data Environments (CDEs)
People Management
Time Management
Communication Skills
Risk Management
Value Engineering

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in design management, particularly in potable water mains and foul water drainage systems. Use specific examples that demonstrate your technical leadership and project management skills.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that addresses the key responsibilities outlined in the job description. Emphasise your experience with managing design consultants and multi-disciplinary teams, and how you ensure compliance with engineering standards.

Showcase Your Technical Expertise: In your application, include details about your understanding of BIM processes and Common Data Environments (CDEs). Mention any relevant projects where you have successfully implemented these practices.

Highlight Soft Skills: Don't forget to mention your people management, time management, and communication skills. Provide examples of how you've built strong relationships with stakeholders and contributed to cohesive project outcomes.

How to prepare for a job interview at Danny Sullivan & Sons Ltd

✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise

As a Design Manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of civil engineering principles, especially in water management. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've led, focusing on the technical challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills

This role requires working closely with various teams and stakeholders. Highlight your experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams and how you've successfully integrated design with project delivery. Share examples of how you've fostered collaboration in past projects.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about potential design risks or budget constraints you might encounter and how you would address them. This will showcase your proactive approach and strategic thinking.

✨Demonstrate Your Understanding of Compliance

Since compliance is a key aspect of this role, be ready to discuss how you ensure designs meet statutory requirements and engineering standards. Familiarise yourself with relevant regulations and be prepared to explain how you've applied them in your previous roles.

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