Design Manager (Water Projects)

Overview

As a Design Manager in WSP’s Water team, you lead design projects from concept to completion, ensuring high standards and regulatory compliance. You’ll work with cross-functional teams and external clients on complex, mid-scale programs, helping deliver strategic regional and national initiatives. You drive Safety by Design and manage design delivery through coordinated workshops and effective communications. This role offers growth within a global firm that values innovation and inclusion.

Pay / Benefits

• work-life balance
• hybrid working policy
• inclusivity and belonging
• Thrive wellbeing programme
• Virtual GP service
• gymflex scheme up to 40% off gym memberships with WSP benefits program

Responsibilities

• Lead design management for mid-scale and complex projects, overseeing resources, timelines, and budgets from concept through to completion
• Ensure projects comply with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards
• Manage client relationships and collaborate with engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions
• Lead client and project meetings, reporting on progress, financials, and addressing technical challenges
• Drive Safety by Design and ensure compliance with UK CDM Regulations
• Coordinate cross-disciplinary design activities with internal and external stakeholders to support delivery
• Facilitate Design Team Meetings, record minutes, and ensure action closure
• Improve and implement project delivery processes (e.g., change control)
• Coordinate disciplines through target-led workshops to resolve critical design issues
• Handle RFIs, early warnings, and communications to mitigate project risk
• Review design transmittals (drawings, specs, reports) for alignment with scope and client needs
• Evaluate quotations against scope, budget, and client requirements
• Manage changes and delays to keep project on track and mitigate impacts
• Update design delivery programme, resources and instructions; understand design responsibilities
• Itemise scope of services, briefing schedules, and deliverables against industry standards
• Promote efficiency, innovation, and buildability across design stages with the wider team
• Coordinate across all internal and external disciplines to ensure quality and value
• Deliver multiple packages and lead teams, reporting to Senior Project Leads

Key requirements

• MEng/BEng/BSc or HND/HNC in Engineering, Environmental or numerate science subject
• Member of a professional institute (Chartered or working towards)
• Experience in infrastructure programme and project delivery with complex projects
• Significant experience in project and contract management with knowledge of H&S standards and regulations

• Leadership and people management
• Strong communication and stakeholder management
• Collaborative and cross-functional teamwork
• Design management for complex projects
• Knowledge of H&S standards and UK CDM Regulations
• Project and contract management

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