Highways Design Manager – Principal / Associate Engineer
Join to apply for the Highways Design Manager – Principal / Associate Engineer role at Mott MacDonald
Location/s: Cambridge, Croydon, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Reading, Sheffield, Southampton; UK
Recruiter contact: Madeleine Knight
Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.
Overview of the Role
We are looking for a Design Manager with a track record of delivering complex multi‑disciplinary major infrastructure and highways projects. Your primary role will be a senior leader for major road projects, focusing on Design and Build (D&B) schemes across the UK and occasionally internationally. You will lead client engagement, initiate bids, and manage project teams to deliver on budget, programme, and quality.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
* Develop trusted relationships with contractor partners such as National Highways and Local Authorities.
* Lead acquisition and delivery of profitable projects in line with agreed strategies.
* Support Project Directors and Project Managers through leadership and strong governance.
* Ensure delivery to budget, programme, and quality standards.
* Foster a collaborative contractor‑led culture across project teams and partners.
* Enhance client satisfaction and conduct project reviews for continuous improvement.
* Contribute to major project bids, securing opportunities and developing commercial strategy.
* Collaborate with Account and Client Directors to capture major bid opportunities.
* Maintain technical capability through the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and the Manual of Contract Documents for Highways Works.
* Coach and mentor early‑career professionals.
Candidate Specification
* Seasoned highways professional with a successful track record of delivering major highway projects in a D&B environment.
* Strong skills in design and construction techniques, with full awareness of Health & Safety legislation.
* Experience in project contractual, financial, and programme management, and building collaborative working relationships across multi‑disciplinary teams.
* Excellent communication skills to convey targets and priorities to staff, clients, and partners.
* Ability to deliver in the demanding D&B environment and resolve complex on‑site design/construction issues.
* Capability to meet tight schedules, coach and mentor team members, and flexibility to travel to client sites or alternative offices when required.
Desirable Qualifications / Experience
* Degree in Civil Engineering (or related subject).
* Chartered with a professional institution such as ICE or CIHT.
* Experience delivering cost‑effective and innovative major highways projects at a Project Director, Manager, or Design/Technical Lead level.
* Experience on D&B projects for National Highways.
* Experience overseeing large project teams.
* Demonstrated organisational skills to manage inputs from various disciplines.
* Strong professional relationships with clients and partners.
* Significant experience applying road design standards (DMRB) and specifications (MCHW).
Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.
UK Immigration
Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK.
Benefits
Our benefits package includes:
* Private medical insurance, health cash plan, and support from Peppy for menopause.
* Financial wellbeing: pension matching, life assurance, income protection, and flexible benefits.
* Life‑style: 33‑35 days holiday per year (increased to 35 after 5 years), employee savings schemes.
* Enhanced family and carers leave: 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, 2 weeks paid paternity, up to 5 additional days for caring responsibilities.
* Learning and development: professional institution subscription and training opportunities.
* Networks and communities: access to Advanced Employee Networks supporting LGBTQ+, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers.
Contract Type: Permanent
Work Pattern: Full Time
Apply now or for more information, please visit the application page.
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