Design Manager - Water

Design Manager – Water (AMP8)

We’re not asking you to manage programmes, we’re asking you to shape them.

AMP8 is underway, and the UK water sector is entering one of its most important delivery periods in decades. Water companies are investing in resilience, environmental improvement, asset performance, spill reduction and future water security.

GHD is looking for a Design Manager who can bring technical teams together, cut through complexity and help turn ambitious programmes into clear, buildable and well governed outcomes. 

This is not a role for someone who wants to sit in project meetings and update trackers. It is for someone who wants to lead people, influence decisions, challenge conventional thinking and help shape how major water projects are delivered. 

What you will do

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams on AMP8 water and wastewater projects.
• Support projects through optioneering, outline design, detailed design and construction support phases.
• Coordinate technical interfaces, design risks, assumptions, decisions, reviews and assurance activities.
• Work closely with clients, contractors, framework partners and specialist suppliers.
• Identify opportunities to improve delivery, reduce complexity and develop practical, sustainable solutions.
• Support project delivery teams in achieving programme, budget and quality objectives.
• Contribute to work winning activities, client relationships and framework development.
• Support and mentor developing engineers, coordinators and technical team members.

What success looks like

• You help bring clarity and structure to projects with multiple stakeholders and technical disciplines.
• You maintain momentum when programme pressures, risks and changing requirements emerge.
• You facilitate effective decisions by ensuring the right information reaches the right people at the right time.
• You encourage collaboration across civil, structural, process, mechanical, electrical, digital and environmental teams.
• You help maintain high standards of quality, safety, sustainability and constructability throughout project delivery.
• You effectively manage change and support the successful delivery of project outcomes.

What makes this role different at GHD

• Design management is viewed as a key delivery and leadership capability, not simply a coordination function.
• You will have the opportunity to influence project outcomes and build strong client relationships.
• You will work on major UK water frameworks while drawing upon GHD's wider technical, environmental, digital and delivery expertise.
• You will be encouraged to bring forward ideas, challenge assumptions and contribute to continuous improvement.
• You will play an important role in strengthening GHD's growing design management capability during AMP8 and beyond.

Candidate diversity and background flexibility

At GHD, we do not believe there is a single route into design management. Strong project teams are built from different backgrounds, disciplines and career experiences.

You may have progressed through civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, process, environmental, digital, construction, project delivery or client-side roles. What matters most is your ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage interfaces, communicate effectively and support successful project delivery.

Water sector experience is advantageous, but we would also welcome candidates from adjacent sectors including infrastructure, utilities, energy, rail, industrial, treatment, environmental or major capital project environments.

Chartered or Incorporated status is welcome, but not essential. We will also consider candidates who can demonstrate relevant experience, technical understanding and strong project delivery capability.

We welcome applicants returning from career breaks, changing sectors or bringing experience gained through non-traditional career paths.

Experience working within Design and Build environments, particularly alongside Tier 1 or Tier 2 contractors, would be highly beneficial.

We are looking for people who

• Have experience coordinating multidisciplinary design teams within water, infrastructure, utilities, construction or major project environments.
• Understand how to manage interfaces between disciplines, clients, contractors and delivery partners.
• Can balance technical quality, programme requirements, risk and commercial considerations.
• Have experience supporting design governance, risk management, design reviews and assurance activities.
• Communicate effectively with clients, project managers, designers and technical specialists.
• Enjoy collaborating with others and helping teams perform at their best.
• Remain organised and solutions-focused in fast-paced delivery environments.

You will thrive here if

• You enjoy solving problems and bringing structure to complex projects.
• You can simplify complexity without losing sight of the engineering.
• You are comfortable challenging established ways of working when improvements can be made.
• You communicate clearly and build trust with colleagues and clients.
• You care about quality, teamwork and delivering successful outcomes.

• You want to develop your career in design management while helping shape the future of water infrastructure.

The future of water infrastructure will not be delivered by individuals. It will be delivered by teams. We're looking for someone who knows how to bring those teams together and help them succeed.

Join GHD. Lead the difference.