Design Manager

Design Manager – Water & Civil Infrastructure
Walsall, West Midlands
Our client, a leading UK civil engineering and infrastructure specialist are looking for an experienced Design Manager to join their team play a pivotal role in delivering some of the country’s most important water infrastructure projects.
With a strong heritage spanning over four decades, our client is a privately owned business built on long-standing values, technical excellence, and a people-first approach. Operating as a trusted Tier 1 partner across major frameworks, joint ventures, and standalone schemes, they deliver complex infrastructure across the water, transport, energy, and built environment sectors.
This is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking engineering team where innovation, collaboration, and direct delivery are at the heart of everything they do.
The Role
As Design Manager, you will take the lead on technical delivery across a portfolio of major water and wastewater infrastructure projects. From concept through to completion, you’ll drive high-quality, compliant, and efficient design solutions that make a real impact on critical national infrastructure.
You’ll be at the centre of multi-disciplinary collaboration, leading engineers, coordinating specialist partners, and working closely with project teams to ensure designs are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.
Projects will include:
* Clean water & wastewater treatment assets
* Pipelines and trunk mains, sewer networks
* Pumping stations and associated infrastructure
Key Responsibilities
* Take full ownership of design quality, compliance, and technical assurance across the project lifecycle
* Lead and inspire multi-disciplinary design teams, both in-house and external
* Manage and challenge design consultants to achieve best-in-class outcomes
* Deliver innovative and practical design solutions from concept through to detailed design
* Oversee design programmes, budgets, and resource planning
* Drive change control processes and manage evolving project requirements
* Ensure compliance with health & safety, quality standards, and industry regulations
* Collaborate closely with project, operational, and commercial teams
* Integrate specialist capabilities such as MEICA, tunnelling, and temporary works into designs
* Support a seamless interface between design and on-site delivery teams
About You
You’re an experienced design leader with a passion for delivering complex infrastructure projects and developing high-performing teams.
You will bring:
* Proven experience in a Design Manager or senior design leadership role within civil engineering or utilities
* Strong background in water infrastructure (pipelines, treatment works, pumping stations, drainage systems)
* Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and external consultants
* Working knowledge of BIM and common data environments
* A degree or HNC in Civil Engineering (or similar)
* Membership of a professional institution (or working towards Chartership)
* Excellent leadership, communication, and coordination skills
Why Apply?
* Join a well-established, values-driven contractor with a reputation for excellence
* Be part of a business that invests heavily in its people and delivers projects through its own skilled teams
* Work on long-term framework programmes and high-profile infrastructure schemes
* Access genuine career progression and professional development opportunities
* Play a key role in shaping sustainable infrastructure that serves communities across the UK