Job Description:

Design Manager – Water Industry | Tier 1 Contractor

Location: Exeter, Devon – South West

Salary: £65,000 – £72,500 + Car Allowance + Excellent Benefits

Sector: Water / Civil Engineering / MEICA

Employment: Permanent | Full Time

A fantastic opportunity with a leading Tier 1 contractor!

J3A Recruitment is working exclusively on this vacancy with an established Tier 1 contractor delivering major infrastructure projects across the South West Water region.

With a strong pipeline of secured work, live projects ready to progress and significant investment across the region, this is an excellent opportunity to join a highly respected business with genuine long-term career prospects.

We are looking for an experienced Design Manager who wants to play a key role in delivering essential water infrastructure projects, working alongside experienced engineering, commercial and operational teams.

This isn't an opportunity where you'll be waiting around for projects to materialise. There is an immediate workload, established delivery teams and plenty of scope to make a real impact from day one.

The Opportunity

As Design Manager, you'll take ownership of the design process across water infrastructure projects, managing activities from pre-construction and tender stages through to construction delivery.

You'll work closely with internal engineering teams, external consultants, subcontractors and South West Water stakeholders to ensure designs are technically sound, commercially viable and, most importantly, buildable.

This is a position offering genuine responsibility, autonomy and the opportunity to influence how major infrastructure schemes are delivered.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design activities from tender through to construction.

• Manage external designers, consultants and specialist subcontractors.

• Work closely with project delivery, commercial and engineering teams.

• Ensure design solutions meet client requirements, technical standards and project budgets.

• Identify opportunities for value engineering, innovation and improved buildability.

• Manage design programmes, deliverables, approvals and reporting.

• Chair design meetings and coordinate technical workshops.

• Ensure compliance with CDM regulations and relevant industry standards.

• Oversee BIM processes, information management and design coordination.

• Build strong working relationships with South West Water's capital delivery and operational teams.

What We're Looking For

We're keen to speak with an experienced Design Manager who has a background in water, wastewater, utilities, infrastructure or a similar multidisciplinary engineering environment.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• Proven experience managing design activities on construction or infrastructure projects.

• A strong understanding of civil engineering and MEICA interfaces.

• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary design teams and external consultants.

• Knowledge of CDM regulations, design risk management and construction methodology.

• Experience with BIM and common data environments.

• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills.

• Water industry experience and relevant engineering qualifications would be advantageous.

Candidates with a strong technical design background who are ready to progress into a more senior design management position are also encouraged to apply, provided they have relevant coordination and project delivery experience.

What's On Offer?

This is where the opportunity really stands out.

Alongside the chance to join a leading Tier 1 contractor with a substantial pipeline of secured work, you'll receive an excellent employment package:

• £65,000 – £72,500 basic salary

• Company car allowance

• 26 days annual leave, with the option to buy or sell additional days

• Pension contributions matched up to 8%

• Private medical insurance, with family cover options

• Life assurance and enhanced family leave

• Flexible and agile working, subject to operational requirements

• Professional membership fees paid

• Long-service holiday entitlement and employee benefits

• Genuine career progression within an established Tier 1 contractor

Why Consider This Opportunity?

The UK water industry is entering a significant period of infrastructure investment, and this is an opportunity to be directly involved in delivering projects that will make a lasting difference across the South West.

You'll be joining a business with established frameworks, a strong regional presence and the resources to deliver complex engineering projects successfully.

For the right Design Manager, this offers the perfect combination of stability, challenging projects, professional development and long-term opportunity.

Interested? Let's Have a Conversation.

Whether you're actively looking for your next move or simply curious about what opportunities are available across the South West water sector, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.

Apply today or contact J3A Recruitment directly to find out more about this Design Manager opportunity.

All enquiries will be handled in the strictest confidence.