At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design activities for a major highways project, ensuring safety and compliance.
- Company: Leading UK highways and infrastructure contractor with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on essential infrastructure while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Civil Engineering and strong highways design experience required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Design Manager (Highways)
6 month+ contract
£500 to £575 per day
IR35 TBC (likely outside)
Hybrid; 1 day London, 1 day Norwich, remainder WFH
Start: ASAP
My client, a leading UK highways and infrastructure contractor, is seeking an experienced Design Manager to support the delivery of a highways project in Norwich.
This role is ideal for someone with strong highways and construction delivery experience who can lead multidisciplinary design activity and drive a Right First Time culture.
Role Purpose
The Design Manager will oversee all design activities across the project lifecycle, ensuring outputs are safe, buildable, compliant and acceptable for adoption by asset owners.
Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you will lead the detailed design process and work closely with construction, technical and stakeholder teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Detailed design leadership - Drive design delivery to required quality and deadlines.
- Compliance oversight - Ensure design aligns with approved information, planning constraints, technical standards and the Specification for Highway Works.
- Construction integration - Collaborate with the Construction Manager to ensure designs are safe, efficient and buildable.
- Principal Designer duties - Embed CDM compliance and safe construction principles throughout design.
- Technical leadership - Provide engineering guidance across all design disciplines.
- Design coordination - Align outputs from designers, subcontractors and contractor designed elements.
- Progress and risk management - Track deliverables, manage risks and implement mitigation measures.
- Reporting and analytics - Produce design progress metrics and dashboards to support EVM.
- Quality assurance - Promote a Right First Time approach to reduce rework and delays.
- Temporary works - Ensure temporary works are correctly designed, checked and implemented.
- Groundwater strategy - Support development of groundwater strategy and securing consents.
- Stakeholder engagement - Build strong relationships with client teams and authorities to secure timely approvals.
- Project collaboration - Work with the wider leadership team to support safe, efficient delivery and handover.
- Planning and procurement - Provide support where required.
Experience Requirements
Essential
- Strong experience in construction delivery, ideally including leadership roles such as Agent or Senior Agent.
- Extensive knowledge of highways design standards, design solutions and the Specification for Highway Works.
- Solid understanding of highways construction techniques and associated procedures.
- Experience working within Principal Designer and Principal Contractor environments.
- Knowledge of temporary works procedures.
Desirable
- Understanding of National Highways handover processes.
- Experience within local authority or Strategic Road Network environments.
- Experience securing and discharging environmental consents.
- Experience gaining design approvals and discharging planning conditions.
- Knowledge of pavement design and stabilisation.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
- Relevant CSCS card.
Desirable
- Chartered Engineer status.
- SMSTS or equivalent.
- Temporary Works Coordinator qualification.
- For more information, call Daniel Baker on (phone number removed)
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Design Manager (Highways) in London employer: Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd
Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values quality and compliance in engineering projects. With competitive pay and the flexibility of a hybrid role, employees benefit from ongoing professional development opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages growth and innovation in the vibrant Warrington area.
Contact Details:
Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager (Highways) in London
✨Get Your Foot in the Door
Temporary roles in construction often rely on quick recruitment, so make sure to visit local recruitment agencies that specialise in the construction sector. They usually have a go-to list of companies that need staff urgently, helping us connect with potential employers faster.
✨Leverage Community Connections
Construction is all about connections! Check out local trade events, networking gatherings, or even social media groups focused on your area. Engaging with the community can lead to insider knowledge about temporary job openings that might not be advertised anywhere else.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Solid Portfolio
Even for temporary gigs, a visual portfolio can really set you apart. Take photos of previous projects you’ve worked on, or if you're fresh in the industry, show examples of your work during training. This can help us demonstrate our hands-on experience to potential employers, like Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd.
✨Apply Directly at Construction Sites
Don’t overlook the power of walking directly into construction sites. Many temporary positions are filled on the spot, so it’s worth popping by local sites and having a face-to-face chat. Bring your CV and be ready to impress, as companies like Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd appreciate proactive candidates ready to jump in when needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager (Highways) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the construction game, having hands-on experience matters! Be sure to showcase any previous temporary roles or projects you've worked on in your CV. Mention specific skills like safety protocols, tools you're familiar with, or types of construction work you've done – this will help you stand out!
Showcase Certifications and Training:If you've got any relevant certifications or training like a CSCS card or health and safety courses, flaunt them! Include them in your CV and mention them in your cover letter. It shows that you're not just ready to get to work but that you've got the essential safety knowledge, which is super important in the construction industry.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:For a temporary role, flexibility is key! In your cover letter, make sure to clearly state your availability – are you ready to start immediately? Can you work various shifts? Letting Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd know how adaptable you are might just get you the edge over other candidates.
Keep it Concise and Clear:When applying for temporary roles in construction, employers often appreciate brevity. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the skills and experiences that align most with what Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd is looking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff to make it easier for them to see why you’re the perfect fit!
How to prepare for a job interview at Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd
✨Show Off Your Safety Knowledge
In construction, health and safety is non-negotiable. Get comfortable with specific safety regulations like COSHH or Working at Height – you might get asked how you’d handle risk assessments or unsafe conditions. We need to show that we prioritise safety above all else.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect practical questions or even a mini test where you’ll need to demonstrate basic skills. They might set up a scenario and ask how you would approach a specific task. Let’s prepare by brushing up on our trade skills and thinking through past projects we’ve worked on.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll want to know if you can adapt quickly to different teams and situations. Let's think about past experiences where we've had to adjust on the fly. This will show we’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Highlight Your Previous Experience
Temporary roles often require hitting the ground running, so make sure to have a few stories lined up that showcase your relevant experience in construction. We want to emphasise skills that might not be on our CV—like teamwork and problem-solving when things don't go to plan.
