Design Manager in England

Reports to: Design Lead

Location: Manchester

Start Date: Immediate

The Project

Cascade Infrastructure Limited (CIL), a project company with STRABAG, GLIL and Equitix as shareholders, has been appointed by United Utilities (UU) as the Competitively Appointed Provider (CAP) under the newly established Direct Procurement for Customer (DPC) contracting model to deliver the Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP). HARP is a multi-billion-pound infrastructure project to upgrade the water supply infrastructure carrying water from the Haweswater reservoir to Greater Manchester. The project involves the construction of approximately 50km of bored tunnels along the existing 110km aqueduct, originally built in the 1950s. CIL has been appointed to finance, design, construct and maintain the new assets, and has in turn appointed Strabag (UK) as Contractor for the design and construct phase of the scheme. Post-construction, UU will operate the aqueduct, with CIL responsible for major maintenance of the new tunnel sections for 25 years after Final Works Completion. Equitix Management Services Limited (EMS) provides management services to CIL.

The Culture

CIL is a dynamic, collaborative, purpose-driven company that is focused on delivering this once in a generation infrastructure project which will affect millions of customers across the Northwest. CIL fosters a positive, inspirational and proactive culture, and is seeking candidates that can demonstrate adaptability and a desire to work within a progressive, supportive team striving for excellence.

Service Objective

To finance, design, construct and maintain HARP in line with good industry practice, as required by the contract, on time, at the required level of quality and within budget cost.

Role Overview

• Support the Design Management function in CIL across the full project lifecycle with a particular focus on design programme control and Building Information Modelling (BIM) coordination.
• Work closely with the Design Lead, ensuring the Contractor remains aligned with design milestones, and compliant with the contractual Review Procedure.
• Maintain a lookahead planner for the release and approval of Reviewable Design Data (RDD) under the Review Procedure.
• Attend design meetings and site visits on behalf of CIL.
• Support the development of project reports, including the Monthly Progress Report, Quarterly Construction Report and Board Report.
• Ensure the BIM Model remains contemporary and compliant with the HARP Information Management Requirements, and manage the data drop interface.
• Ensure the RDD process is compliant with the HARP Information Management Requirements.
• Assist in coordination of design submission reviews, Request For Information (RFI) submissions, checking, and approvals, ensuring compliance with client requirements and relevant standards.
• Assist in the management of design risks, value engineering and optioneering to optimise cost, programme and performance.
• Support the commercial management of design scope, changes and contractual obligations.
• Maintain effective communication channels between the various design stakeholders by coordinating Design Management meeting calendars, attendance at team meetings and production of meeting minutes.

Minimum Qualifications (guide)

• Degree in Project Management, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with BIM and ProjectWise (formal training in BIM processes desirable).

Minimum Experience in Similar Role (guide)

• 3+ years in roles involving design coordination, design assistance, BIM coordination, or similar, ideally in the construction or infrastructure sectors.
• Practical experience working with BIM models and design documentation on live projects.
• Experience in coordinating data management processes and ensuring compliance with design management protocols.
• Experience in managing relationships with contractors and key stakeholders.

Principal Responsibilities

• RDD or Information Design Data as applicable: Assist CIL on oversight of RDD with regular reporting and attendance at meetings on behalf of CIL as required. Report any inconsistencies or issues regarding the RDD, and discharging related administrative obligations on behalf of CIL.
• Construction & Commercial Deliverable: Maintain an accurate and up to date RDD Register with clear tracking of progress.
• Design Coordination: Monitor and track progress being made against the design programme, including the critical path activity design development, design assurance and required action on BIM.