Location
Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
What if you could shape a career as unique as you? At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons. We have a number of opportunities for Design Managers to join our Water team supporting key projects in our Asset Design discipline.

As a Design Manager at WSP you will lead and manage design projects within the Water sector. Working alongside the Project Director and Project Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing engineering design work and ensuring compliance with best practices and UK regulations. Our Design Managers are adaptable in various situations and possess an innovative mindset, willing to take on new challenges and comfortable working within significant and complex projects or programmes of work.

We collaborate closely with external clients and internal multi-disciplinary project teams, utilising WSP offices, client offices, and site locations to deliver programmes of strategic regional and national importance. With WSP you have the exceptional opportunity to take the next step in your career, build on your experience and qualifications, and achieve your ambitions. We offer excellent support in personal development and growth as part of our local teams and across the wider WSP business.

Key Responsibilities:
- Lead design management for mid-scale and complex projects, managing resources, timelines, and budgets from concept through to completion.
- Ensure projects comply with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.
- Manage client relationships and collaborate with engineering teams to deliver effective, integrated solutions.
- Lead client and project meetings, reporting on progress, financials, and addressing technical challenges.
- Drive "Safety by Design" practices and ensure compliance with UK CDM (Construction Design & Management) Regulations.
- Ensure clear communication through effective collaboration with internal WSP teams and external stakeholders.
- Facilitate and lead Design Team Meetings (DTMs), take clear and concise minutes, and ensure timely completion of actions.
- Consistently improve and implement project delivery processes such as change control.
- Coordinate relevant disciplines through target-led workshops to resolve critical design issues timely.
- Manage RFIs, early warnings, and general communications to reduce project risk and ensure successful delivery.
- Analyse, process, and respond to design transmittals including drawings, specifications, and reports.
- Review and evaluate quotations to ensure alignment with project scope, budget, and client requirements.
- Manage changes and delays affecting the project, ensuring resolution or mitigation.
- Update design delivery programme, resources, and instructions.
- Maintain thorough understanding of project scope and design responsibility.
- Itemise scope of services, client briefing schedules, documentation, and regularly assess against industry standards.
- Instigate efficiency, innovation, and buildability considerations throughout design stages.
- Understand design process, roles, and responsibilities; coordinate across all disciplines to ensure quality and add value.
- Manage multiple package deliveries and teams, reporting to Senior Project Leads.

Experience
- Experience in an infrastructure programme and project delivery environment, with a track record of delivering complex projects.
- Significant experience in project and contract management including knowledge of health and safety standards and regulations.
- Proven ability to manage client relationships and lead multi-disciplinary teams.
- Experience working within UK CDM regulations and driving "Safety by Design" practices.

About you
- Adaptable and innovative mindset with a willingness to take on new challenges.
- Strong leadership and communication skills, comfortable managing complex projects.
- Collaborative approach, able to work effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Motivated to develop professionally and contribute to the success of strategic projects.

Qualifications
- MEng, BEng, BSc or HND/HNC in Engineering, Environmental or numerate science related subject.
- Membership of an appropriate professional institute (Chartered or working towards).

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.