Freelance Design Manager - Water Infrastructure Projects
Rate: £500 per day (CIS)
Location: Falmer (East Sussex), Chatham (Kent), or Chichester (West Sussex)
Working Arrangement: Hybrid - site visits, office collaboration, and home working
Core Hours: 10:00am - 3:00pm
The Opportunity
We are looking for an experienced freelance Design Manager to support the delivery of major water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the South East.
Working alongside Project Managers and Project Directors, you will take ownership of engineering design coordination, ensuring design partners deliver compliant, high-quality, and cost-effective solutions in line with programme requirements.
This is a long-term opportunity within a busy capital delivery environment, ideal for professionals with experience in regulated utilities or infrastructure sectors.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and coordinate engineering design delivery across multiple projects
Manage design assurance processes for outline, tender, and construction-stage designs
Monitor and report on design progress, programme risks, and deliverables
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive efficient project delivery
Identify opportunities for value engineering and cost optimisation
Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations and manage design-related H&S risks
Support projects through design, procurement, and construction phases
Requirements
Chartered Engineer status
Degree-qualified (or equivalent) in an engineering discipline
Previous experience within water, wastewater, utilities, or regulated infrastructure sectors
Strong understanding of design management and engineering assurance processes
Excellent stakeholder coordination and communication skills
Full UK driving licence
What's on Offer
£500 per day CIS
Hybrid working flexibility
Long-term infrastructure programme
Opportunity to work on high-profile capital delivery projects
Supportive and collaborative project environmentApplications are welcome from professionals with transferable infrastructure experience across utilities, civil engineering, or major projects