Design Manager - Water

Position: Design Manager - Water Sector
Design Manager – Water Sector

Location:

Hampshire (Hybrid Working Available)

Contract:

Permanent
Salary:
Very Competitive + Excellent Benefits

We are currently working on behalf of a leading UK design-and-build contractor in the water sector to appoint an experienced Design Manager to strengthen their Engineering team. Basedin Hampshire, this role offers hybrid working and the opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of major water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Reporting directly to the Regional Discipline Lead, you will lead projects through their design phases, ensuring technically compliant, cost-effective, and buildable solutions are delivered in line with programme expectations and stakeholder requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Champion Health & Safety excellence in design, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, specifications, and CDM regulations

Identify, manage, and communicate design H&S hazards and residual risks to all stakeholders

Lead, motivate, and coordinate multi-disciplinary design teams to meet project and customer objectives

Manage design budgets, resources, and outturn costs, delivering agreed outputs within allocated hours and key dates

Produce and maintain Design Management Plans and provide regular progress and status reports

Attend and contribute to programme, project, and technical meetings

Drive technical solutions that optimise cost, quality, and programme delivery

Provide technical support during construction, commissioning, and handover phases as required

Ensure all design work meets required standards, specifications, QA processes, and systems of work

Contribute to sustainability objectives, including reducing embodied and operational carbon

Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal teams, partners, and clients

Act as a professional ambassador for the business in all client-facing activities

About You

Essential:

Extensive experience in multi-disciplinary design management within a design-and-build environment

Degree in an engineering-related discipline

Chartered Engineer status

APM Project Fundamentals Qualification

Proven ability to lead teams to deliver projects to time, cost, and quality objectives

Strong working knowledge of CDM regulations and construction Health & Safety

Experience delivering large-scale infrastructure projects

Broad technical understanding of water treatment, including process, civil, and MEICA disciplines

Ability to present technical proposals clearly and confidently

Desirable:

APM Project Management Qualification (or working towards)

Experience working within a global or multi-regional organisation

Experience managing remote or dispersed design teams

Background in the water or wastewater treatment industry

Knowledge of BIM processes and procedures

Collaborative, innovative, and solution-focused approach

What’s On Offer

Very competitive salary

Hybrid working arrangements

Company car or car allowance (role dependent)

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (with the option to buy additional leave)

Contributory pension scheme

Life assurance

Health and private medical insurance

Cycle to work scheme

Employee discounts and savings platform

Additional wellbeing and lifestyle benefits

Next Steps

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established organisation delivering critical UK water infrastructure projects, offering long-term stability, strong values, and genuine career progression.

For a confidential discussion or to apply, please submit your CV and one of our consultants will be in touch.

Company information

At First Recruitment Group we understand just how important it is to secure the right people. That is why our Recruitment Consultants always take the time to understand requirements in detail and offer sound advice to both clients and candidates.  We actively recruit at all levels and this is a superb opportunity for Design Managers looking for new employment.

As part of putting people first, we strive to be an equal opportunities employer and we are always looking to increase the diversity of our workforce, working closely with our clients to ensure everyone is included