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Design Manager

Job Description

Freelance Design Manager - Water Sector

 

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to support the delivery of major water and wastewater infrastructure projects. This role requires a highly proactive and hands-on individual who will take ownership of the design programme, actively manage design delivery, and drive performance across multidisciplinary teams.

The successful candidate will be immersed in the day-to-day management of the design process, ensuring that design outputs are delivered on time, to budget, and in accordance with project requirements. This is not a governance-focused role; we require an individual who can identify issues early, challenge performance, implement recovery plans, and hold stakeholders accountable for delivery.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Requirements

  • Significant experience as a Design Manager within the UK water sector.

  • Proven track record delivering water and wastewater infrastructure projects through design and construction phases.

  • Strong understanding of design management processes within regulated utilities environments.

  • Demonstrable experience managing multidisciplinary engineering design teams.

  • Experience developing and managing detailed design programmes.

  • Strong understanding of NEC contracts and collaborative project delivery environments.

  • Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement practical solutions.

  • Ability to drive delivery, challenge performance, and hold teams accountable.

  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

  • Experience within Design & Build or Alliance delivery models.

  • Familiarity with BIM and digital design management processes.

 

Rate: £550 - £600 per day

Location: North West, Manchester 

Duration: 12-18 months 

Status: Inside IR35

 

If this is something that you are interested in please contact me on r.finch@navartis.co.uk or message me on LinkedIn.