Design Project Manager

The Opportunity

Due to continued growth across our Design function, OCU is seeking an experienced Design Project Manager to join our expanding team.

Department: OCU Design

Location: Borehamwood

Due to continued growth across our Design function, OCU is seeking an experienced Design Project Manager to join our expanding team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in the delivery of complex, multidisciplinary power and renewable energy projects across the UK. Working closely with our Design, Engineering, Construction and Pre-Construction teams, you will be responsible for managing design delivery throughout the full project lifecycle, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.

If you have a strong background in both engineering and design management and are passionate about driving innovation, collaboration, and excellence within infrastructure projects, we’d love to hear from you.

• Managing design deliverables and design-related activities across large multidisciplinary power and renewable energy projects.
• Developing and maintaining design programmes and work breakdown structures throughout project life cycles.
• Ensuring compliance with client design management and delivery processes, employer requirements, and industry standards.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for all design-related matters between clients, subcontractors, and project teams.
• Forecasting and coordinating design, surveying, and digital engineering resources across projects.
• Championing Safety by Design, sustainability initiatives, and continuous improvement within project delivery.
• Managing design-related project controls, including Technical Queries (TQs), Early Warning Notices (EWNs), Compensation Events (CEs), and Requests for Information (RFIs).
• Supporting the development of tender submissions, design scopes, execution plans, and management plans during pre-construction phases.
• Working closely with Project Managers, Engineers, and Site Teams to coordinate temporary works and construction design requirements.
• Leading design review meetings, workshops, and coordination sessions to ensure all stakeholders are working from the latest approved information.
• Supporting the development of internal design capabilities, governance processes, and engineering excellence across OCU.
• Mentoring and supporting the development of Graduate, Assistant, and Senior Engineers within the business.

• Degree-qualified (BEng or MEng) in Electrical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Significant experience across both Design Engineering and Design Management functions within the Power Transmission & Distribution sector.
• Proven experience acting as a Project Engineer or Design Manager on multidisciplinary infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of HV/MV cable systems, installation design, and substation design at DNO or Transmission Operator level.
• Knowledge and practical experience of CDM 2015, including Principal Contractor and Principal Designer responsibilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience liaising with clients, contractors, subcontractors, and project teams.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to challenge existing practices and drive innovation.
• Demonstrable understanding of construction methodologies, temporary works, and civil engineering best practices.
• Ability to chair meetings, coordinate multiple stakeholders, and manage competing priorities.
• Full UK Driving Licence and willingness to travel to project sites and company offices as required.

• Chartered Engineer status or actively working towards professional accreditation (ICE, IET, IMechE or equivalent).
• Previous experience within renewable energy, grid infrastructure, or major utility projects.
• Experience developing Design Execution Plans, Design Management Plans, and Design Scoping Reports.
• Experience managing and mentoring multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Knowledge of digital engineering, surveying, and BIM-related processes.
• Experience working within a Principal Contractor environment.

At OCU, we believe that meaningful…