E&P Design Manager (Development Manager)

E&P Design Manager (Development Manager)

Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead design and development for innovative rail projects, ensuring safety and sustainability.
  • Company: Join Octavius, a top civil engineering firm focused on efficient transport solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, private healthcare, hybrid working, and 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off.
  • Other info: We value diversity and inclusion, creating a thriving environment for all.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on railway performance while collaborating with diverse teams.
  • Qualifications: Experience in rail design and development, with strong project management skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

  • We're recruiting a
  • Development Manager (Design Manager) to join

Octavius , a leading civil engineering organisation delivering safe, sustainable and efficient transport solutions across the UK. Through long‑term rail frameworks and our

Southern Renewals Enterprise , we offer the opportunity to shape projects from the earliest stages, work collaboratively with design partners, and make a real impact on the performance of the railway.

At Octavius, we value quality, integrity and openness , empower our people to lead, and create an environment where expertise, innovation and continuous improvement are encouraged.

Working closely with our

Pre‑Construction Leads, customers (including Network Rail), design partners and delivery teams , you'll coordinate all pre‑construction and design development activity to ensure schemes are robust, compliant, affordable and deliverable.

You'll balance technical excellence with commercial awareness, ensuring programmes are developed safely, sustainably and in line with agreed budgets and timescales.

Your role will see you

  • Leading the development of pre‑construction and design activities for rail renewal projects.
  • Coordinating surveys, site investigations and design information to inform cost and programme certainty.
  • Managing assurance, governance and compliance requirements throughout the development stage.
  • Driving collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to develop high‑quality, buildable solutions.
  • Supporting possession planning, estimating, risk management and option selection.
  • Taking ownership of financial performance, change control and risk/opportunity management within your schemes.
  • Championing safety, sustainability, innovation and continuous improvement within the development process.

We offer a competitive rewards package, including a Company Car scheme, Private Healthcare, Pension, Life Assurance cover, 25 days Annual Leave (and a day off for your birthday).

You'll also have access to Hybrid working where possible, an enhanced Paternity & Maternity package and the opportunity to develop yourself personally and professionally.

You're a confident and collaborative design or development professional with experience working in the rail environment, comfortable operating in complex, fast‑paced programmes.

You're skilled at

  • Managing multidisciplinary design and development processes from concept through to construction readiness.
  • Working within Network Rail standards, assurance processes and governance frameworks.
  • Engaging effectively with clients, stakeholders, designers and delivery teams.
  • Balancing technical, commercial and programme considerations to deliver value‑led outcomes.
  • Leading and contributing to risk workshops, design reviews and assurance meetings.
  • Driving a strong safety culture and embedding environmental and sustainability considerations into decision‑making.

You naturally build trust and credibility, lead by example, and are motivated by delivering quality infrastructure safely and efficiently.

You'll bring

  • Proven experience delivering projects across the full project lifecycle , from design development through to on‑site delivery.
  • Strong knowledge of

Network Rail processes , standards and assurance requirements.

  • Broad engineering understanding, with experience in disciplines such as civils, M&E, geotechnical or core rail systems (P‑Way, Signalling, Telecoms, E&P).
  • A good working knowledge of

NEC3 contracts and contract administration.

  • Experience managing cost, programme, change control and subcontractor inputs during development.
  • Degree, diploma or vocational qualification in Construction, Civil Engineering or a related discipline (essential).
  • SMSTS or equivalent CDM 2015 training (desirable).
  • Chartered or working towards chartership (ICE, APM or similar) (desirable).
  • PTS, Temporary Works Coordination or similar rail competencies (desirable).
  • Above all, you'll live our values of

Quality, Integrity, Openness, Caring and Progressiveness , bringing energy, leadership and a continuous‑improvement mindset to everything you do.

Inclusion and diversity are important to us, we are an equal opportunities employer and value difference.

We want and will continue to build an inclusive environment where our people thrive.

We firmly believe constantly striving to build a truly diverse workforce is what makes us a strong business and will enable us to continue to solve important problems and deliver unrivalled value to both our customers and clients.

If you need any specialist support throughout your application, we will work with you where we can to support your journey with us.

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E&P Design Manager (Development Manager) employer: Octavius Infrastructure

Octavius is an excellent employer, offering a flexible working environment in Winchester that promotes a healthy work-life balance. As a Learning & Development Administrator, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of your role while contributing to the growth of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering critical infrastructure projects. With a strong focus on employee development and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Octavius provides a supportive culture where your contributions are valued and your professional growth is encouraged.

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Contact Details:

Octavius Infrastructure Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land E&P Design Manager (Development Manager)

Join Construction Networks

Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!

Show Off Your Skills on Site

If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.

Utilise Construction Job Sites

Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Octavius Infrastructure, to express your interest!

Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles

Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like E&P Design Manager (Development Manager) at Octavius Infrastructure.

We think you need these skills to ace E&P Design Manager (Development Manager)

Project Lifecycle Management
Multidisciplinary Design Coordination
Network Rail Standards Compliance
Stakeholder Engagement
Risk Management
Safety Culture Promotion
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.

Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.

Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.

How to prepare for a job interview at Octavius Infrastructure

Brush Up on Technical Knowledge

For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.

Showcase Your Projects

Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.

Understand the Team Dynamics

Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.

Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving

Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!