Design Manager

Overview

In this Design Manager role, you lead design activities for major civil infrastructure projects from our Leeds base. You will orchestrate multidisciplinary teams, coordinate consultants and supply chain partners, and ensure safe, compliant, buildable designs within schedule and budget. The role sits at the heart of a Civils division delivering highways, energy, bridges, and marine projects across the region. You will drive design governance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement to enable successful project outcomes. This is a hands-on leadership position in a Tier 1 contractor environment with a strong focus on technical excellence and collaboration.

Pay / Benefits

Salary 50,000 – 75,000 DOE
Car allowance 5,400 or company car
10% annual bonus
Hybrid working – 3 days in office / 2 days from home
Career development within a major UK infrastructure business
Exposure to diverse Civils projects

Responsibilities

Managing and coordinating design activities throughout the project lifecycle
Leading design teams and coordinating consultants, subcontractors and the wider supply chain
Ensuring designs comply with project requirements, relevant standards and legislation
Managing design programmes, deliverables, reviews and approvals
Identifying and managing design risks and opportunities
Working collaboratively with commercial, construction, planning, procurement and engineering teams
Supporting the development of design solutions that are safe, buildable, efficient and commercially viable
Managing technical interfaces between disciplines and project stakeholders
Providing technical leadership and supporting the resolution of design issues
Ensuring appropriate design assurance and governance processes are followed
Engaging with clients and key stakeholders throughout the design process

Key requirements

Proven experience in a Design Manager role within civil engineering or infrastructure
Experience managing multidisciplinary design teams and external consultants
Strong knowledge of the design and construction process
Experience working on major infrastructure projects
Good understanding of relevant UK standards, legislation and design assurance processes
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver within challenging programmes
Collaborative approach and confidence to provide technical leadership
Relevant qualifications in civil engineering, structural engineering or related discipline (advantageous)
Professional membership of engineering institutions (advantageous)