At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multidisciplinary design teams on impactful water projects and drive innovative solutions.
- Company: Join GHD, a leader in the water sector with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of water infrastructure.
- Other info: Diverse backgrounds welcomed; thrive in a dynamic environment with strong growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in water management while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in coordinating design teams and managing project interfaces is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
We’re not asking you to manage programmes, we’re asking you to shape them. AMP8 is underway, and the UK water sector is entering one of its most important delivery periods in decades. Water companies are investing in resilience, environmental improvement, asset performance, spill reduction and future water security. GHD is looking for a Design Manager who can bring technical teams together, cut through complexity and help turn ambitious programmes into clear, buildable and well governed outcomes.
This is not a role for someone who wants to sit in project meetings and update trackers. It is for someone who wants to lead people, influence decisions, challenge conventional thinking and help shape how major water projects are delivered.
What you will do:
- Lead multidisciplinary design teams on AMP8 water and wastewater projects.
- Support projects through optioneering, outline design, detailed design and construction support phases.
- Coordinate technical interfaces, design risks, assumptions, decisions, reviews and assurance activities.
- Work closely with clients, contractors, framework partners and specialist suppliers.
- Identify opportunities to improve delivery, reduce complexity and develop practical, sustainable solutions.
- Support project delivery teams in achieving programme, budget and quality objectives.
- Contribute to work winning activities, client relationships and framework development.
- Support and mentor developing engineers, coordinators and technical team members.
What success looks like:
- You help bring clarity and structure to projects with multiple stakeholders and technical disciplines.
- You maintain momentum when programme pressures, risks and changing requirements emerge.
- You facilitate effective decisions by ensuring the right information reaches the right people at the right time.
- You encourage collaboration across civil, structural, process, mechanical, electrical, digital and environmental teams.
- You help maintain high standards of quality, safety, sustainability and constructability throughout project delivery.
- You effectively manage change and support the successful delivery of project outcomes.
What makes this role different at GHD:
- Design management is viewed as a key delivery and leadership capability, not simply a coordination function.
- You will have the opportunity to influence project outcomes and build strong client relationships.
- You will work on major UK water frameworks while drawing upon GHD's wider technical, environmental, digital and delivery expertise.
- You will be encouraged to bring forward ideas, challenge assumptions and contribute to continuous improvement.
- You will play an important role in strengthening GHD's growing design management capability during AMP8 and beyond.
Candidate diversity and background flexibility:
At GHD, we do not believe there is a single route into design management. Strong project teams are built from different backgrounds, disciplines and career experiences. You may have progressed through civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, process, environmental, digital, construction, project delivery or client-side roles. What matters most is your ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage interfaces, communicate effectively and support successful project delivery. Water sector experience is advantageous, but we would also welcome candidates from adjacent sectors including infrastructure, utilities, energy, rail, industrial, treatment, environmental or major capital project environments. Chartered or Incorporated status is welcome, but not essential. We will also consider candidates who can demonstrate relevant experience, technical understanding and strong project delivery capability. We welcome applicants returning from career breaks, changing sectors or bringing experience gained through non-traditional career paths. Experience working within Design and Build environments, particularly alongside Tier 1 or Tier 2 contractors, would be highly beneficial.
We are looking for people who:
- Have experience coordinating multidisciplinary design teams within water, infrastructure, utilities, construction or major project environments.
- Understand how to manage interfaces between disciplines, clients, contractors and delivery partners.
- Can balance technical quality, programme requirements, risk and commercial considerations.
- Have experience supporting design governance, risk management, design reviews and assurance activities.
- Communicate effectively with clients, project managers, designers and technical specialists.
- Enjoy collaborating with others and helping teams perform at their best.
- Remain organised and solutions-focused in fast-paced delivery environments.
You will thrive here if:
- You enjoy solving problems and bringing structure to complex projects.
- You can simplify complexity without losing sight of the engineering.
- You are comfortable challenging established ways of working when improvements can be made.
- You communicate clearly and build trust with colleagues and clients.
- You care about quality, teamwork and delivering successful outcomes.
- You want to develop your career in design management while helping shape the future of water infrastructure.
The future of water infrastructure will not be delivered by individuals. It will be delivered by teams. We're looking for someone who knows how to bring those teams together and help them succeed. Join GHD. Lead the difference.
Design Manager in City of London employer: GHD Group Pty Ltd
GHD Group Pty Ltd offers a dynamic work environment where employees can engage in diverse, high-profile projects that shape infrastructure and communities. The company emphasizes professional growth through opportunities to work alongside multidisciplinary teams and contribute to innovative engineering solutions. With a focus on sustainability and resilience, GHD provides a supportive culture that encourages knowledge sharing and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager in City of London
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Design Manager role you’re after at GHD Group Pty Ltd.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at GHD Group Pty Ltd a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at GHD Group Pty Ltd.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Design Manager at GHD Group Pty Ltd, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Design Manager, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at GHD Group Pty Ltd a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to GHD Group Pty Ltd specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at GHD Group Pty Ltd
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with GHD Group Pty Ltd, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like GHD Group Pty Ltd want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
