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- Tasks: Lead and manage design delivery for a major substation project.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking team focused on UK energy resilience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical national infrastructure and sustainability.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in civils & geotechnical design; degree recommended.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with a focus on innovation and growth.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Margam, South Wales (Site-based)
Help Shape the Future of Critical National Infrastructure
We are delivering a major substation scheme in Bridgend – a project central to strengthening the UK's energy resilience and enabling a low-carbon future. To help us achieve this, we are looking for an experienced Design Manager with a background in Civils & Geotechnical design to play a pivotal role in leading, coordinating and assuring design delivery.
If you thrive in complex, multidisciplinary environments and enjoy bringing clarity, technical rigour and collaborative leadership to design, this is an opportunity to grow your impact on a project of national importance.
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead, coordinate, and manage design delivery from concept through to handover.
- Ensure all design information is complete, compliant, buildable, safe and aligned to contractual, technical and programme requirements.
- Oversee design reviews, manage queries and ensure robust technical governance and change control.
- Work closely with internal specialists, external designers and supply chain partners to produce high-quality, coordinated solutions.
- Support construction teams on-site with technical clarity, design assurance and timely resolution of queries.
- Drive continuous improvement, adopt innovative practices, and champion digital tools and sustainable design approaches.
What You'll Bring
Essential experience:
- 5+ years in a design-led role within civils & geotechnical engineering.
- Experience managing design across the project lifecycle – concept to handover.
- Strong understanding of design compliance, buildability, technical assurance and risk management.
- Comfortable working with multidisciplinary teams and designer supply chains.
- Familiarity with various procurement routes.
Qualifications (recommended):
- Degree in an Engineering or Architectural discipline (Civil, Structural, Geo, Mechanical, Electrical, Architectural, Facades).
- Chartered or working towards chartership (ICE, IStructE, RIBA, CIAT etc.).
Our Ideal Candidate
You will enjoy this role if you:
- Are naturally collaborative and thrive in environments where design, construction and operations intersect.
- Have strong problem-solving skills and can bring structure and clarity to complex design challenges.
- Are proactive, adaptable and able to manage changing priorities in a fast-paced delivery environment.
- Are passionate about quality, safety, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Enjoy empowering others, sharing expertise and helping teams succeed.
Why Join Us?
- Work on a major UK infrastructure project that will make a real difference.
- Join a design and technical community focused on excellence, innovation and professional growth.
- Opportunities for career development through chartership support, mentoring and internal progression.
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, experiences and identities. If you require adjustments during the recruitment process, we will work with you to ensure you have the support you need.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you are an experienced Design Manager looking to shape the next generation of infrastructure, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and help us deliver something extraordinary.
Design Manager - Civils & Geo - Substations in Cardiff employer: Laing O'Rourke
Contact Detail:
Laing O'Rourke Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager - Civils & Geo - Substations in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their projects, especially those related to civils and geotechnical design. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with their needs and demonstrate your passion for innovative infrastructure solutions.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through a portfolio or case studies of past projects. This is your chance to visually demonstrate your design management capabilities and how you've tackled complex challenges in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to exciting projects like the Bridgend Substation.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager - Civils & Geo - Substations in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your background in civils and geotechnical design, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant projects you've led or contributed to.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Design Manager role. Mention your passion for quality and innovation, and how you can contribute to our mission of delivering critical national infrastructure.
Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit: Since this role involves working with multidisciplinary teams, make sure to highlight your collaborative experiences. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with others to overcome design challenges and achieve project goals.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape the future of energy resilience in the UK!
How to prepare for a job interview at Laing O'Rourke
✨Know Your Design Fundamentals
Brush up on your civils and geotechnical design principles. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, especially in managing design from concept to handover. This will show your technical rigour and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Prepare examples that highlight your experience working with multidisciplinary teams. Discuss how you’ve led design reviews or resolved queries with internal specialists and external partners. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in complex environments.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Think about instances where you’ve driven innovation or adopted new practices in your previous roles. Be ready to share how you’ve championed digital tools or sustainable design approaches, as this aligns with the company’s commitment to quality and improvement.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Anticipate questions that may ask how you would handle specific challenges in design delivery or compliance. Practising your responses will help you articulate your problem-solving skills and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
