Design Manager in Manchester

Design Manager in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead design projects in the rail sector, ensuring innovative and efficient solutions.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking company committed to diversity and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, private healthcare, and 25 days annual leave.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of rail design while making a real impact in your community.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Civil or Electrical Engineering with design management experience.
  • Other info: Embrace a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

We are seeking a Design Manager to help the evolution of our rail capability in the North. This role is key to shaping and developing schemes during the pre‑construction phase, ensuring they are ready for successful delivery with a broader remit to drive collaboration, innovation, and efficiency throughout the development lifecycle. This is a hybrid role, with flexibility to work from home and our Manchester or Birmingham offices, alongside occasional site visits.

You will lead the development of solutions that meet Network Rail’s requirements and Octavius Infrastructure’s objectives, ensuring designs are robust, cost‑effective, and aligned with programme and safety standards. Your leadership will foster a collaborative culture across customers, stakeholders, design partners, and suppliers, creating a seamless transition from development to delivery.

You’ll bring (your wealth of experience & qualifications):

  • An Engineering Background with Design Management Experience.
  • Pricing & Estimating knowledge is a bonus.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Good level of NEC3 knowledge, and ability to administer the contract.
  • Exceptional people management - with the ability to influence and mentor to motivate employees to achieve exacting standards of compliance.
  • Technically savvy, with good working knowledge of Microsoft Project.
  • Managing projects or Programmes and working with other departments to achieve deliverables.
  • Experience and knowledge of construction industry awareness of current techniques.
  • Has managed design programmes and been responsible for their delivery, in terms of quality, design assurance, commercial performance, and meeting programme constraints.
  • Knowledge of Network Rail PACE/GRIP processes and assurance procedures.
  • Detailed understanding of safety leadership from a policy and behavioural perspective.
  • You will be Degree qualified in a Civil, or Electrical Engineering or related course (or equivalent relevant experience).
  • Has achieved or has aspiration of Professional membership with a recognised and relevant Professional body, i.e. Institution of Civil or Electrical Engineers and has a clear plan to achieve such status.

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.

Design Manager in Manchester employer: Octavius Infrastructure

At Octavius Infrastructure, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the rail sector. With a competitive rewards package, including private healthcare and generous leave policies, alongside opportunities for personal and professional development, our Manchester and Birmingham locations provide a supportive environment where employees can thrive. We are committed to inclusion and diversity, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to our mission of delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions.
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Contact Detail:

Octavius Infrastructure Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Manager in Manchester

✨Tip Number 1

Network with industry professionals! Attend design and engineering events, or join online forums. This way, we can connect with potential employers and get insider info on job openings.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your portfolio! Make sure to have a well-organised collection of your best design projects ready to share. We want to impress potential employers with our creativity and problem-solving skills.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to design management. We should also be ready to discuss how we've driven innovation and collaboration in past projects.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep track of our applications and follow up easily.

We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in Manchester

Design Management
BIM (Building Information Modelling)
Lean Methodology
Engineering Background
Pricing & Estimating
NEC3 Contract Knowledge
People Management
Microsoft Project
Project Management
Construction Industry Awareness
Network Rail PACE/GRIP Processes
Safety Leadership
Communication Skills
Collaboration and Innovation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your design management experience and any relevant engineering background to show us you’re the right fit for the role.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about this position. Share specific examples of how you've driven collaboration and innovation in past projects, and how that aligns with our goals at StudySmarter.

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, ensure your written application is clear and concise. Use professional language but let your personality shine through – we want to get to know the real you!

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 don’t miss out on any important updates during the process.

How to prepare for a job interview at Octavius Infrastructure

✨Know Your Design Management Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your design management experience, especially in relation to engineering remits and BIM. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've led design programmes and how you ensured they met quality and safety standards.

✨Show Off Your Communication Skills

Since this role involves interfacing with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with clients and design consultancies to drive collaboration and innovation.

✨Embrace Lean and Innovation

Be prepared to talk about how you've implemented Lean principles in your previous roles. Think of instances where you've identified waste and improved processes, and be ready to share your ideas on fostering a culture of innovation within your team.

✨Understand the Company’s Values

Familiarise yourself with the company's commitment to inclusion and diversity. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to building an inclusive environment and how your leadership style aligns with their values.

Design Manager in Manchester
Octavius Infrastructure
Location: Manchester

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