Pre-Construction Design Manager – Electrical
United Kingdom (Hybrid/Site-Based as Required)
Competitive Salary, Car Allowance and Benefits
Role Overview:
The Pre-Construction Design Manager – Electrical Substations is responsible for leading the design development and coordination of high-voltage substation projects during the pre-construction phase. This role ensures designs are safe, compliant, cost-effective, and deliverable, while supporting successful project mobilisation and execution.
The position also plays a key role in contractor onboarding and management, site supervision readiness, and the preparation and authorisation of Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS).
Key Responsibilities
Design Management (Pre-Construction)
Lead the development and coordination of substation designs (typically 11kV–400kV), ensuring compliance with UK standards, DNO/IDNO requirements, and client specifications.
Manage multidisciplinary design teams including civil, electrical, and protection & control engineers.
Review/Programme design deliverables such as single line diagrams, layout drawings, cable routing, earthing designs, and equipment specifications.
Ensure constructability, safety by design, and value engineering principles are embedded throughout the design process.
Interface with clients, consultants, and stakeholders to resolve technical queries and secure approvals.
Contractor Onboarding & Management
Lead the prequalification, onboarding, and induction of subcontractors and design partners.
Ensure all contractors meet competency, safety, and compliance requirements (including SSSTS/SMSTS, CSCS, and relevant electrical authorisations).
Establish clear scopes of work, deliverables, and performance expectations.
Monitor contractor performance against programme, quality, and safety metrics.
Facilitate coordination meetings and ensure alignment across all delivery partners.
Site Supervision & Pre-Construction Readiness
Support site mobilisation by ensuring designs are fully coordinated and construction ready.
Provide oversight during early site activities, including surveys, enabling works, and setting-out.
Conduct site visits to verify design implementation and resolve technical issues.
Collaborate with site managers and supervisors to ensure safe systems of work are implemented.
Ensure that all pre-construction information is communicated effectively to site teams.
RAMS (Risk Assessments & Method Statements)
Lead the preparation, review, and authorisation of RAMS for all pre-construction and early construction activities.
Ensure RAMS are compliant with UK health and safety legislation, including CDM Regulations.
Work closely with contractors and site teams to develop practical and safe methodologies.
Verify that all high-risk activities are properly assessed and controlled.
Maintain auditable records of RAMS approvals and revisions.
Health, Safety, and Compliance
Promote a strong safety culture and ensure all designs adhere to “Safety by Design” principles.
Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations, acting in support of the Principal Designer where required.
Identify and mitigate design and construction risks early in the project lifecycle.
Programme & Commercial Support
Support project planning, sequencing, and programme development.
Provide technical input into cost estimates, procurement strategies, and tender evaluations.
Identify design risks and opportunities impacting cost and schedule.
Carry out forecasting and remain focused on budget control throughout the life of the project
Skills & Experience
Proven experience in design and delivery of electrical substations within the UK (preferably up to 132kV).
Strong understanding of UK grid standards (e.g., National Grid, DNO requirements).
Experience managing multidisciplinary design teams and subcontractors.
Demonstrable experience in preparing and authorising RAMS.
Knowledge of CDM Regulations and construction health & safety requirements.
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
Ability to balance technical, commercial, and programme priorities.
Qualifications
Project Management APM PMQ or Prince2.
Chartered Project Manager status (or working towards) preferred.
Relevant health & safety certifications (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH).
Site based Qualifications SSSTS/SMSTS, Temporary Works Coordinator, NRSWA
Key Competencies
Leadership and coordination
Risk management and decision-making
Attention to detail and safety focus
Commercial awareness
Problem-solving and adaptability
Additional Requirements
Willingness to travel to project sites across the UK.
Full UK driving licence.
Benefits:
We are always evolving our benefits to ensure we're attracting and retaining great people. Some of what you can expect includes:
Competitive salary
Car or Car allowance
25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
Pension with a leading provider and employer contribution
Sick Pay
Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days
Private Medical Insurance
Free 24/7 365 Employee Assistance Program to support mental health and well-being (including counselling sessions and legal advice)
Flexible benefits to suit from Dental Insurance, Gym Memberships, Give As You Earn, Travel Insurance, Tax Free Bikes
Personal development programme.
Next Steps:
As a business, we’re on a journey to build on our culture where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. This starts with recruitment and how we bring people into the organisation.
We’ll do our best to outline the recruitment process to you ahead of time with plenty of notice. If you require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met.
About Us
Freedom are part of the NG Bailey Group, one of the leading independent engineering and services businesses in the UK. Founded in 1921, with a turnover of £500m and 3000 employees, we are proud of our history of developing great people through our investment in training.
Working across a variety of sectors within the building and infrastructure industry, our innovative, responsible and forward thinking approach allows us to work on fantastic ground-breaking projects, providing solutions using the latest tools and technologies
Progression is something we value and we will make sure that when you join us you have a clearly defined development path, supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support to enable you to be the best you can be
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