At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate design activities for exciting NGET substation projects and ensure high-quality outputs.
- Company: Join OCU, a forward-thinking company in the engineering and utilities sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working options, and a clear development pathway.
- Other info: Great opportunity for professional growth with support for accreditations.
- Why this job: Make an impact on nationally significant projects while growing your career in design management.
- Qualifications: Experience in design coordination or project management is essential; all experience levels welcome.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
OCU are looking for a proactive and well organised Design Project Manager to support and coordinate the delivery of multidisciplinary design work on National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) substation projects. These projects require robust design governance, clear communication, and structured progression through client mandated assurance processes. A core part of this role involves developing towards the responsibilities associated with a Lead Contractor Design Approval Engineer (LCDAE) and Principal Design Representative (PD-Rep). Within National Grid’s Supplier Requirements framework, LCDAEs & PD-Reps play a key role in ensuring engineering designs meet strict technical and compliance standards for substation and transmission projects. You do not need to be an LCDAE or PD-Rep today; this role provides a supported pathway if you wish to grow into it. Existing LCDAE qualified applicants are equally welcome.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinate all design activities for NGET substation projects, ensuring timely and high quality outputs.
- Support design governance processes as you develop towards LCDAE & PD-Rep level responsibility.
- Manage the flow of design information between engineering teams, contractors, and the client.
- Organise and facilitate design reviews, interdisciplinary workshops, and design risk assessments.
- Monitor design progress, identify blockers, and drive corrective actions.
- Ensure design deliverables align with project scope, NGET technical standards, safety requirements, and programme milestones.
- Assist with technical queries, document control, change processes, and configuration management.
- Build strong working relationships across engineering, construction, and client teams.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
We welcome applicants with diverse experience levels — from those new to National Grid design assurance processes to those already fully LCDAE qualified.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Experience in design coordination, design management, or project management in engineering, utilities, infrastructure, or construction.
- Understanding of multi‑disciplinary design workflows and design delivery environments.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and organisational skills.
- Ability to manage parallel workstreams and maintain structured documentation.
- Interest in working towards LCDAE & PD-Rep competency on NGET substation projects.
Desirable (but not required)
- Existing LCDAE & PD-Rep qualification or experience supporting LCDAE activities.
- Familiarity with National Grid Supplier Requirements or equivalent transmission/substation design processes.
- Project management certifications such as APM.
Job Benefits
- A clear training and development pathway towards LCDAE & PD-Rep responsibilities.
- Exposure to nationally significant NGET substation and transmission projects.
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.
- Hybrid/flexible working options.
- Support for professional accreditations and continued development.
Design Project Manager in Stockport employer: OCU Group
Contact Detail:
OCU Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Project Manager in Stockport
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend design and engineering events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or colleagues, bring along a portfolio of your work. Highlight projects where you’ve coordinated design activities or managed teams. This will give them a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their design governance processes and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to shine, so practice common interview questions and think about how you can demonstrate your organisational skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for proactive individuals who are eager to grow into roles like LCDAE and PD-Rep. So, take that step and submit your application today!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Project Manager in Stockport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Design Project Manager role. Highlight your experience in design coordination and project management, and show how it aligns with the responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder engagement, don’t forget to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Use examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed relationships or facilitated discussions.
Be Organised and Structured: We love a well-organised application! Make sure your documents are clear, concise, and easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary and keep your formatting consistent to make a great first impression.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company!
How to prepare for a job interview at OCU Group
✨Know Your Design Processes
Familiarise yourself with the design governance processes relevant to NGET substation projects. Be ready to discuss how you can support and enhance these processes, showing that you understand the importance of compliance and technical standards.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Design Project Manager, clear communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've effectively managed stakeholder engagement and facilitated design reviews in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to build strong working relationships across teams.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
Be prepared to talk about how you manage parallel workstreams and maintain structured documentation. Share specific strategies or tools you use to keep track of design progress and identify blockers, as this will highlight your proactive approach.
✨Express Your Growth Mindset
Since this role offers a pathway towards LCDAE & PD-Rep responsibilities, convey your interest in professional development. Discuss any relevant certifications or training you’re pursuing, and express enthusiasm for growing within the company.