Senior Design Manager

Overview

As Senior Design Manager, you will lead multidisciplinary design teams to deliver major capital programmes safely, on time, and within budget. You’ll shape design strategy, manage resources and schedules, and drive value through sustainable, whole-life thinking. You will influence investment decisions, ensure governance and regulatory compliance, and mentor engineering talent. This role offers impact across customers, communities, and the environment, with a focus on innovation and performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams to deliver major capital programmes on time, within budget, and to quality standards
• Set design strategy and direction aligned with project objectives and stakeholder requirements
• Manage programme resources, budgets, and design delivery schedules
• Drive risk management and ensure governance, legislation, and industry standards compliance
• Review and approve engineering solutions for value, sustainability, and whole-life cost benefits
• Act as Principal Designer ensuring CDM Regulations and health & safety requirements
• Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders, contractors, consultants, and external partners
• Support investment and asset management decisions through design leadership and technical expertise
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement across engineering and design functions
• Develop, mentor, and coach engineering teams to build capability and high performance

Key requirements

• Significant experience in Design Management, Engineering Management, or Project Management
• Proven ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary design teams
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and programmes
• Experience delivering complex engineering or infrastructure projects in regulated industries
• Strong understanding of risk management, governance, and engineering compliance
• Experience influencing business decisions and managing multiple project priorities
• Knowledge of CDM Regulations and Principal Designer responsibilities
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Degree qualified in Engineering or related technical discipline
• Chartered Engineer status or progression towards accreditation (advantageous)

• Stakeholder management
• Communication
• Leadership and coaching
• Design management
• Project and programme management
• Budgeting and resource planning

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