Design Manager

Location/s: Birmingham, London, Cardiff, Bristol; UK

Mott Mac Donald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you're surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued.

Whatever your ambition, Mott Mac Donald is where people come to be brilliant.

We help conceive, drive, and implement transport solutions for cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the globe. From preparing the business case and advising on related issues - such as revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation - to delivering the completed infrastructure and helping maintain it. Our planning, engineering, environmental and management skills cover the whole project cycle. We play a major role in developing and delivering the Global Transport Sector Strategy.

Are you a Design Manager or experience engineer seeking to begin a career in Design Management, ready to take your career to new heights? Do you want to lead the development and delivery of complex, high-profile infrastructure projects that keep the world connected? Join our Gateway Infrastructure team within our Aviation & Ports Division as a Design Manager and help shape the future of some of the UK's (and International) most critical transport hubs.

From major airport expansions and airfield infrastructure upgrades to innovative port developments and maritime facilities, you'll lead multidisciplinary design teams delivering challenging projects that leave a lasting legacy. You'll be part of a collaborative environment where your leadership is valued, your expertise influences strategic decisions, and your ability to coordinate teams drives successful project outcomes.

Join our Gateway Infrastructure team and contribute to the delivery of industry-leading infrastructure projects across the UK and internationally. As a Design Manager, you will play a pivotal role in leading and coordinating multidisciplinary design teams across a diverse portfolio of aviation, ports and associated infrastructure projects.

You will be responsible for managing the design process from concept development through to detailed design and construction support, ensuring technical excellence, programme certainty, and effective stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle. Working closely with clients, contractors, project managers, and technical specialists, you will help deliver innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency, improve passenger and freight movements, and support the transition to more sustainable transport networks.

Whether supporting strategic master planning initiatives, managing complex design packages, or leading design assurance and governance processes, you will be at the forefront of shaping the future of aviation and maritime infrastructure.

• Lead and manage the multidisciplinary design process across aviation, ports, and infrastructure projects
• Coordinate design teams to ensure delivery against scope, programme, budget, and quality objectives
• Act as the primary design interface between clients, contractors, project managers, and technical specialists
• Manage design reviews, approvals, assurance processes, and stakeholder engagement activities
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards, regulations, client requirements, and governance procedures
• Identify, manage, and mitigate design risks and opportunities throughout project delivery
• Support business development activities, bids, and client relationship management
• Promote innovation, digital delivery, and sustainable design practices across projects

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in delivering some of the UK's most significant aviation and maritime infrastructure projects while helping to grow and shape our Gateway Infrastructure capability.

We are looking for a motivated and experienced individual, enthusiastic about Design Manager who is passionate about infrastructure delivery and thrives in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. This is an opportunity to lead high-profile projects, develop strong client relationships, and contribute to the continued growth of our Gateway…