Design Manager - Water
Location: Manchester, UK
Working model: Office-based with hybrid working and occasional site visits
Sector: Water and utilities engineering
Employment type: Permanent
An established UK engineering design consultancy is seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead and develop a multidisciplinary design team delivering clean water, wastewater and associated infrastructure projects.
This role offers the opportunity to shape technical delivery, influence design standards, and play a key role in the continued growth of a respected water-sector design function.
Role overview
You will lead the design team and ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality, compliant engineering solutions across a diverse portfolio of water industry projects. The role combines people leadership, technical oversight, and continuous improvement of design processes.
Key responsibilities
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Lead, manage and develop a multidisciplinary design team including engineers, technicians and graduates
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Build and grow the design capability while maintaining a positive and collaborative team culture
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Lead the design process across water-sector projects from concept through detailed design
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Develop, improve and enforce formal design procedures and workflows
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Promote modern design methods including BIM and 3D modelling
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Ensure design outputs meet safety, quality, technical and integration requirements
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Maintain programme discipline to ensure deliverables are issued to agreed timescales
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Ensure compliance with relevant technical standards, best practice and client specifications
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Manage and record design changes for allocated work packages
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Support estimation of design effort and planning of design resources
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Attend project meetings, contribute to technical discussions and represent the design function professionally
Required qualifications and experience
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Significant experience in engineering design within regulated sectors such as water, utilities, oil and gas, nuclear, highways or major infrastructure
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Degree or HND in a relevant engineering discipline
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Proven experience leading multidisciplinary design teams and complex design packages
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Strong understanding of design management, technical assurance and quality control
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Experience mentoring, developing and supporting junior team members
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Good IT capability and familiarity with modern design environments
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Chartered Engineer status or actively working towards professional registration
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Full UK driving licence and ability to attend site locations as required
Preferred experience
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Experience delivering clean water and wastewater design projects
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Experience across both infrastructure and non-infrastructure assets
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Strong understanding of construction methods, materials and engineering drawing practices
Right to work
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this role.