At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design management for major infrastructure projects in the power and utilities sector.
- Company: Join a leading organisation known for its collaborative culture and technical expertise.
- Benefits: Competitive contract rate, flexible working, and impactful project involvement.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid model with potential for contract extension.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in high-profile projects while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in design management within utilities and strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Flexible Working (3 Days Office-Based) 6-Month Contract (Minimum) Energy/Utilities
Your new company: You will be joining a leading organisation operating within the power and utilities sector, delivering major infrastructure upgrades across substations, overhead lines and underground cable networks. The business is known for its strong technical capability, collaborative culture and commitment to safe, high-quality delivery. With a growing portfolio of complex design-led projects, they are seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to oversee third-party design partners and ensure robust design governance throughout the project lifecycle.
Your new role: As Senior Design Manager, you will take ownership of the full design management process, acting as the key interface between the client, end-customers and external design teams. You will lead design reviews, manage technical queries, coordinate multidisciplinary inputs and ensure all design deliverables meet contractual, regulatory and programme requirements.
- Overseeing and managing third-party design consultants across substation, overhead line and underground cable scopes.
- Leading design review meetings, ensuring clarity of requirements and resolving design issues promptly.
- Managing the design process from concept through to construction-ready deliverables.
- Supporting contract administration activities, including reviewing design-related obligations and ensuring compliance.
- Ensuring designs are coordinated, buildable and aligned with project constraints and safety requirements.
- Providing commercial awareness across the design process, identifying risks, changes and opportunities.
- Working closely with project managers, engineers and commercial teams to maintain programme and quality standards.
Operating in a flexible hybrid model, with three days per week, based in the Warrington office.
Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager or Design Lead within utilities, power, substations, OHL or underground cable projects.
- Strong capability in managing external design teams and driving performance.
- A solid understanding of design governance, design assurance and contract administration.
- Experience chairing meetings, leading design reviews and managing technical documentation.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple design packages concurrently.
What you'll get in return: You will receive a competitive contract rate, flexible working arrangements and the opportunity to play a key role in a high-profile utilities project. You’ll join a supportive and forward-thinking team where your expertise will directly influence project success. This contract is expected to run for at least six months, with strong potential for extension.
Locations
Design Lead - to be a manager in Cheshire, Warrington employer: Hays
Join a leading organisation in the power and utilities sector, where you will thrive in a collaborative culture that prioritises safety and high-quality delivery. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to employee growth, this role as Senior Design Manager offers you the chance to influence major infrastructure projects while being part of a supportive team dedicated to excellence. Located in Warrington, you'll enjoy a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead - to be a manager in Cheshire, Warrington
✨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 Hays that you’re committed to growth, making you a more appealing candidate for temporary roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Lead - to be a manager in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Versatile Engineering Skills:For a temporary engineering role like this one at Hays, 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 Hays 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 Hays will be looking for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨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 Hays. 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, Hays 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 Hays. 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 Hays, 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.
