Design Manager
Location: Manchester (office-based with flexible/hybrid working)
Contract: Permanent, full-time
The Opportunity
Our client is strengthening our delivery team on the United Utilities framework and we’re looking for a Design Manager to lead multi-discipline design delivery across a portfolio of water and wastewater projects. You’ll coordinate designers, supply chain partners and construction teams to ensure solutions are safe, compliant and buildable—delivered to programme and budget.
What you’ll do
* Own the design delivery plan: scope, programme, budgets, design reviews and approvals through each stage.
* Lead multi-discipline teams (civil, MEICA, temporary works, digital engineering) and external design partners/consultancies.
* Drive technical assurance: manage HAZID/HAZOP/ALM reviews, optioneering, buildability, and whole-life considerations.
* Ensure compliance with relevant standards, client specifications and legislation (CDM 2015, environmental & quality).
* Coordinate with construction: resolve technical queries (RFI/TQ), support site teams, manage change and risk registers.
* Manage interfaces with planners, estimators, procurement, and commercial to align scope, risk and cost.
* Control the CDE/BIM process: maintain model and drawing deliverables, version control and document management.
* Engage stakeholders: liaise with the client, supply chain, third parties and asset owners to secure timely approvals.
* Report progress: produce design status, KPI, and gateway readiness reports; escalate issues proactively.
About you
* Degree in Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (or related).
* Proven experience managing design on water/utility or civils infrastructure projects.
* Strong understanding of buildability, temporary works principles, and construction methodologies.
* Working knowledge of NEC contracts, CDM 2015 and quality management systems.
* Comfortable leading meetings and challenging/validating design assumptions and costs.
* Competent with common design/delivery tools (e.g., CDEs, BIM workflows, AutoCAD/Civil 3D/Revit exposure advantageous).
* Excellent communication, stakeholder and supplier-management skills.
* Full UK driving licence and willingness to visit sites across the North West.
What we offer
* Competitive salary with car/allowance and matched pension.
* 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (with options to buy/sell).
* Flexible/hybrid working, life assurance and employee benefits platform.
* Professional development and support toward chartership (ICE/IMechE/IET).
* A collaborative culture focused on safety, delivery and innovation