At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex water infrastructure projects from concept to completion.
- Company: Join a leading infrastructure specialist shaping the UK's water network.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible benefits, career development, and job security.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive environment focused on long-term career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on major infrastructure projects while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in water infrastructure design and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Are you ready to lead the delivery of complex infrastructure projects that directly shape the future of the UK’s water network? This is an opportunity to join a large, privately-owned infrastructure specialist with decades of success delivering some of the UK’s most critical civil engineering projects. Operating across major frameworks and long-term infrastructure programmes, this organisation combines the scale and technical capability of a major contractor with the culture, stability, and long-term thinking of a business that invests heavily in its people.
We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams delivering complex clean water, wastewater, pipelines, pumping stations, treatment works, and network infrastructure projects. This is more than a traditional design management role — you’ll play a key part in shaping technical solutions, influencing project delivery strategy, and driving engineering excellence across major infrastructure programmes.
The Opportunity
- Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and external consultants to deliver complex water infrastructure projects from concept through to delivery.
- Take ownership of technical compliance, engineering quality, programme performance, and design delivery.
- Support project teams with concept, outline, and detailed design solutions for major water and wastewater schemes.
- Work closely with operational delivery teams to ensure designs are practical, buildable, efficient, and commercially robust.
- Drive collaboration across engineering, operational, commercial, and delivery functions.
- Manage engineering budgets, programmes, resources, and change control processes.
- Ensure all designs are safe, compliant, maintainable, and aligned to both customer requirements and industry standards.
- Support supply chain engagement and specialist technical input throughout project delivery.
- Take ownership of design risk management and temporary works coordination.
Why This Role Stands Out
- Major Infrastructure Exposure: You’ll work across long-term frameworks and large-scale infrastructure programmes rather than short-cycle projects, providing genuine project continuity and career stability.
- Direct Delivery Model: Unlike businesses heavily reliant on subcontracted delivery, this organisation maintains substantial in-house engineering and operational capability, creating stronger collaboration between design and construction teams.
- Technical Depth: Projects span clean water infrastructure, wastewater treatment, pipelines and trunk mains, pumping stations, networks and utility infrastructure, civil engineering and MEICA integration.
- Career Development: The business has a strong track record of internal progression, leadership development, and long-term employee retention, supported by structured training and professional development.
What We’re Looking For
- Strong design leadership and management experience within water infrastructure.
- Experience delivering complex civil engineering solutions within regulated environments.
- Knowledge of clean water, wastewater, drainage, pipelines, or network infrastructure.
- Understanding of BIM and common data environments.
- Degree/HNC qualified (Civil Engineering or equivalent).
- Working towards or holding professional membership / chartership.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and people leadership skills.
- Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams, consultants, programmes, and budgets.
Desirable
- Principal Designer experience.
- Temporary Works understanding.
- Previous experience delivering projects through major infrastructure frameworks.
What You’ll Receive
- Competitive salary and package.
- Pension, life assurance, and private medical.
- Car allowance / vehicle options depending on role.
- Flexible benefits package.
- Leadership development and coaching.
- Strong career progression pathways.
- Long-term project pipeline and job security.
- A people-focused environment that genuinely invests in long-term careers.
If you’re looking for a role where you can combine technical leadership, major infrastructure delivery, and long-term career progression — this is an opportunity to make a significant impact.
Design Manager in Birmingham employer: Linear Recruitment
Join a leading privately-owned infrastructure specialist that prioritises employee growth and development while delivering critical water infrastructure projects across the UK. With a strong focus on collaboration, technical excellence, and long-term career stability, this company offers a supportive work culture, competitive benefits, and ample opportunities for professional advancement in a dynamic environment. Here, you will not only lead multidisciplinary teams but also play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the UK's water network.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best design projects, especially those related to water infrastructure. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering complex engineering solutions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Design Manager role. Highlight your leadership in water infrastructure projects and any relevant technical expertise to grab our attention!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our needs. Be sure to mention your experience with multidisciplinary teams and project delivery.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use quantifiable results to demonstrate how you’ve successfully led projects or improved processes in previous roles. We love seeing the impact you’ve made!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Linear Recruitment
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the projects you've worked on, especially those related to water infrastructure. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This shows your hands-on experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Design Manager, you'll be leading multidisciplinary teams. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you foster collaboration among team members. Think about times when you successfully managed conflicts or motivated your team to achieve project goals.
✨Understand the Technical Details
Brush up on your knowledge of clean water, wastewater, and pipeline systems. Be prepared to discuss technical compliance and engineering quality. This will demonstrate your expertise and reassure the interviewers that you can handle the complexities of the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Stakeholder engagement is key in this role. Think of examples where you effectively communicated with various stakeholders, from clients to operational teams. Highlight your ability to manage expectations and ensure everyone is aligned with project goals.
