Design Manager – Water Sector
Location: Hampshire (Hybrid Working Available)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Very Competitive + Excellent Benefits
We are currently working on behalf of a leading UK design-and-build contractor in the water sector to appoint an experienced Design Manager to strengthen their Engineering team. Basedin Hampshire, this role offers hybrid working and the opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of major water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
Reporting directly to the Regional Discipline Lead, you will lead projects through their design phases, ensuring technically compliant, cost-effective, and buildable solutions are delivered in line with programme expectations and stakeholder requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Champion Health & Safety excellence in design, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, specifications, and CDM regulations
Identify, manage, and communicate design H&S hazards and residual risks to all stakeholders
Lead, motivate, and coordinate multi-disciplinary design teams to meet project and customer objectives
Manage design budgets, resources, and outturn costs, delivering agreed outputs within allocated hours and key dates
Produce and maintain Design Management Plans and provide regular progress and status reports
Attend and contribute to programme, project, and technical meetings
Drive technical solutions that optimise cost, quality, and programme delivery
Provide technical support during construction, commissioning, and handover phases as required
Ensure all design work meets required standards, specifications, QA processes, and systems of work
Contribute to sustainability objectives, including reducing embodied and operational carbon
Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal teams, partners, and clients
Act as a professional ambassador for the business in all client-facing activities
About You
Essential:
Extensive experience in multi-disciplinary design management within a design-and-build environment
Degree in an engineering-related discipline
Chartered Engineer status
APM Project Fundamentals Qualification
Proven ability to lead teams to deliver projects to time, cost, and quality objectives
Strong working knowledge of CDM regulations and construction Health & Safety
Experience delivering large-scale infrastructure projects
Broad technical understanding of water treatment, including process, civil, and MEICA disciplines
Ability to present technical proposals clearly and confidently
Desirable:
APM Project Management Qualification (or working towards)
Experience working within a global or multi-regional organisation
Experience managing remote or dispersed design teams
Background in the water or wastewater treatment industry
Knowledge of BIM processes and procedures
Collaborative, innovative, and solution-focused approach
What’s On Offer
Very competitive salary
Hybrid working arrangements
Company car or car allowance (role dependent)
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (with the option to buy additional leave)
Contributory pension scheme
Life assurance
Health and private medical insurance
Cycle to work scheme
Employee discounts and savings platform
Additional wellbeing and lifestyle benefits
Next Steps
This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established organisation delivering critical UK water infrastructure projects, offering long-term stability, strong values, and genuine career progression.
For a confidential discussion or to apply, please submit your CV and one of our consultants will be in touch.
Company information
At First Recruitment Group we understand just how important it is to secure the right people. That is why our Recruitment Consultants always take the time to understand requirements in detail and offer sound advice to both clients and candidates. We actively recruit at all levels and this is a superb opportunity for Design Managers looking for new employment.
As part of putting people first, we strive to be an equal opportunities employer and we are always looking to increase the diversity of our workforce, working closely with our clients to ensure everyone is included