At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and coordinate design processes for major energy infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join a leading UK contractor with a strong reputation in the energy sector.
- Benefits: Competitive rates, long-term projects, and potential for permanent employment.
- Other info: Work until Q4 2027 with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical energy projects while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in multidisciplinary design management and energy sector projects.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Cardiff / South Wales
Rate: Competitive (DOE)
Contract: Long-term temporary contract with the option to transfer to permanent employment with no penalty
Duration: August 2026 – Q4 2027
Hours: 45 hours per week
Danny Sullivan Group is currently seeking an experienced Design Manager to join a leading UK infrastructure contractor delivering a portfolio of high-profile energy infrastructure projects across South Wales. This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of major National Grid schemes while supporting the growth of an expanding in-house design management function.
This position would suit a Design Manager with a strong background in the energy sector, ideally with experience in substation projects, multidisciplinary design management, and NEC contracts.
The Role
As Design Manager, you will be responsible for leading and coordinating the design process from bid stage through to project delivery, ensuring design outputs are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with programme and client requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the design process from tender stage through to project completion.
- Develop and implement design strategies aligned with project objectives, commercial requirements, and sustainability targets.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, including external design consultancies.
- Ensure compliance with CDM 2015, RIBA stages, industry standards, and relevant legislation.
- Monitor and expedite engineering deliverables to ensure alignment with programme, cost plans, and technical specifications.
- Review design submissions for technical compliance, quality, and completeness.
- Lead design reviews and manage change control processes.
- Interface effectively with clients, contractors, consultants, and statutory authorities.
- Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and best practice throughout the design lifecycle.
- Monitor and report on Design NCRs and support close-out activities.
- Collaborate with project teams including Surveyors, Buyers, Project Managers, Site Managers, Contract Managers, and Estimators.
Requirements
- Proven experience managing multidisciplinary design packages within the energy sector.
- Previous experience delivering substation projects is highly desirable.
- Experience working on projects for UK Transmission Service Operators, including:
- National Grid
- Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
- SP Energy Networks
- NIE Networks
- Strong working knowledge of NEC3 and NEC4 contracts.
- Experience managing Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contracts.
- Proven ability to manage and oversee external design consultancies, ensuring quality, compliance, and programme alignment.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
What’s on Offer?
- Long-term project pipeline through to Q4 2027.
- Opportunity to work on major UK energy infrastructure projects.
- Potential for permanent employment.
- Competitive rates and career development opportunities.
- Join a highly respected contractor delivering critical infrastructure across the UK.
Interested? Apply today or contact Danny Sullivan Group for more information on this exciting opportunity.
Design Manager in Cardiff employer: Danny Sullivan & Sons Ltd
At Danny Sullivan Group, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Cardiff/South Wales where innovation and collaboration thrive. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our long-term project pipeline and competitive rates, alongside opportunities for permanent employment and career development within the energy sector. Join us to play a pivotal role in delivering major infrastructure projects while enjoying a supportive culture that values your contributions and fosters professional advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager in Cardiff
✨Get Hands-On with Temporary Projects
Temporary roles are all about flexibility and quick results. Look for short-term engineering projects or gigs that local companies might need help with. You can find these on job boards like Indeed or even niche platforms like PeoplePerHour. Don't be shy to reach out directly to firms—sometimes they have needs that aren't posted yet!
✨Tap into Engineering Meetups
Networking is key in engineering, especially for temporary positions. Check out local engineering meetups or hackathons relevant to your interests. Engaging with peers can lead to leads on temporary roles. Plus, it’s a sweet way to showcase your skills and passion in person—who knows who might be hiring at one of these events?
✨Leverage Your Connections
Let your friends and family know you're on the hunt for a temporary engineering role. Often, personal recommendations can get you in the door faster than any application. Share your goals and what you’re looking for through social media or casual conversations; you’d be surprised how many people might have the right connections!
✨Stay Sharp with Online Courses
While you're searching, keep those skills fresh! Take on some online courses related to your engineering field. Platforms like Coursera or edX can help you stay current and even get some certifications under your belt. This shows potential employers at Danny Sullivan & Sons Ltd that you’re committed to growth, making you a more appealing candidate for temporary roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Versatile Engineering Skills:For a temporary engineering role like this one at Danny Sullivan & Sons Ltd, make sure to showcase a broad range of your engineering skills. Talk about different projects you’ve undertaken, focusing on your problem-solving ability and adaptability—key traits for temporary positions that depend on quick integration into teams.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a temporary role, clarity is essential. In your cover letter, be upfront about your availability and how soon you can start. Employers like Danny Sullivan & Sons Ltd want to know that you can hit the ground running, so don’t shy away from mentioning your flexibility!
Tailor Your CV to Showcase Relevant Experience:Make sure your CV is tailored to reflect the specific engineering projects relevant to the job. For instance, if you’ve worked on temporary contracts before or have engaged in diverse engineering processes, highlight these experiences to show how well-rounded you are.
Include References from Past Employers:Temporary positions often require trust and reliability. Adding references from previous employers can significantly boost your application. It shows that you have a strong work ethic and can adapt quickly, which is exactly what Danny Sullivan & Sons Ltd will be looking for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Danny Sullivan & Sons Ltd
✨Get to Grips with Your Technical Skills
Engineering roles often involve assessing your technical expertise, so be prepared to delve into your core skills. Brush up on relevant software and tools you’ve used before, as well as any engineering principles that relate to the position at Danny Sullivan & Sons Ltd. We want you to showcase your hands-on experience and problem-solving capabilities – it could be the difference between you and another candidate!
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some practical scenarios during the interview. Whether it's a design challenge or a troubleshooting test, Danny Sullivan & Sons Ltd might want to see how you approach real-world engineering problems. Think of specific examples from your past work where you had to think on your feet and be ready to walk your interviewers through your thought process.
✨Show Your Adaptability in Temporary Roles
Since this is a temporary position, it’s key to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to hit the ground running. Make sure to convey your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly to the team and the specific projects at Danny Sullivan & Sons Ltd. We all know that temporary roles can be a bit of a whirlwind, so emphasise your quick learning skills and your approach to managing change.
✨Highlight Relevant Portfolio Projects
If you've worked on engineering projects that align with the role at Danny Sullivan & Sons Ltd, make sure to bring them up! A portfolio can be a great way to illustrate your engineering prowess. Discuss the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved – this will give the interviewers a tangible idea of what you bring to the table.
