Senior Design Manager - water/wastewater

Job ref: 263180Location: Warrington, Cheshire, EnglandContract: PermanentSalary: 65,000 - 80,000 per yearSector: ["Building", "Construction and Infrastructure"]Posted: 2026-09-17Consultant: Ben Pascall ApplySENIOR DESIGN MANAGER Water and Wastewater Engineering We are recruiting a Senior Design Manager to lead complex multidisciplinary engineering design programmes across water and wastewater non-infrastructure frameworks. The opportunity This is a senior delivery leadership role with accountability for multiple projects and workstreams. You will set design strategies, manage programme performance and provide the key interface between operational teams, clients, technical specialists and external delivery partners. You will also lead and mentor Design Managers while supporting the development of a high-performing regional design function. Key responsibilities * Lead multidisciplinary design delivery across complex programmes, portfolios and major projects. * Establish design strategies, delivery plans, governance arrangements and clear project accountabilities. * Own design performance across safety, quality, programme, cost, resources and contractual commitments. * Coordinate civil, mechanical, electrical, ICA, process and associated design disciplines. * Lead Design Managers, technical leads and geographically dispersed engineering teams. * Act as a senior interface with clients, framework leaders, operational teams and delivery partners. * Provide clear design information and early visibility of programme, technical and commercial risks. * Lead design reviews, gateway approvals, technical assurance and programme-level risk management. * Forecast engineering resource requirements and optimise team utilisation. * Manage specialist consultants, external design partners and supply-chain relationships. * Mentor and develop team members while supporting recruitment, succession planning and professional registration. * Drive continuous improvement, innovation and stronger integration between engineering and project delivery. About you * A degree or equivalent experience in engineering or a related discipline. * Typically ten to twenty years of experience delivering complex water or wastewater projects. * Significant experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and non-infrastructure programmes. * A proven record of managing multiple projects, programmes or portfolios simultaneously. * Strong commercial, programme, resource and risk-management capability. * Experience managing matrix teams, external design consultants and delivery partners. * Credible client-facing leadership experience. * Demonstrable experience of design governance and technical assurance. * CDM 2015 awareness and a full UK driving licence. Desirable experience * Chartered Engineer status. * Leadership experience on AMP programmes. * Experience acting as Principal Designer under CDM 2015. * NEC contract-management experience or accreditation. * APM PMQ, PPQ or an equivalent qualification. * BIM or digital engineering experience. Why consider this opportunity? This is an opportunity to influence major water-sector programmes, shape multidisciplinary delivery and develop the people, systems and governance required to achieve consistent engineering performance. To apply, submit your CV or contact us for a confidential discussion.