Design Manager

Our Client, a specialist civil engineering contractor, is seeking a Design Manager to join their team in Portsmouth. Responsibilities: Take ownership of the design process from early concept stages through to construction, ensuring the timely delivery of well-coordinated, practical, and construction-ready design solutions. Manage and align design inputs from various disciplines and third-party consultants, maintaining consistency with the overall project scope and technical requirements. Ensure that all design-related activities are fully compliant with NEC4 contractual obligations, including formal submissions, responses to technical queries, and supporting processes such as early warnings, compensation events, and change management where applicable. Maintain strict adherence to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, promoting a proactive approach to health and safety in design. Lead design reviews, oversee technical assurance activities, and support buildability reviews to ensure the feasibility and quality of the proposed solutions. Assist in the development of Flood Response Plans, Emergency Drawdown Strategies, and reports related to reservoir safety, working closely with both the client and relevant regulatory authorities. Liaise with the client to ensure appropriately qualified Panel Engineers are engaged at the right stages during both design and construction, in line with project and regulatory requirements. Ensure that design deliverables remain aligned with the construction schedule, proactively identifying and addressing design-related risks or challenges. This requires experience in reviewing and assessing project programmes. Encourage innovation and value engineering throughout the design process to improve efficiency and overall project outcomes. Serve as the key point of contact between the design team, construction team, client, and other stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and collaboration. Keep thorough and accurate records of design decisions, approvals, and modifications, in line with established project governance procedures. Confirm that all design documentation meets the requirements of the Reservoirs Act 1975, and coordinate with the appointed Panel Engineers (e.g. Construction Engineer, Supervising Engineer) to ensure necessary statutory oversight and certification. Lead the coordination and integration of dam-specific design components, including hydraulic and hydrological modelling, geotechnical stability and earthworks, spillway and outlet structures, as well as instrumentation and monitoring systems. Required Experience: Proven experience in managing design on Design & Construct projects under NEC4 contract conditions. Strong working knowledge of CDM 2015 regulations and experience supporting Principal Designer duties. Excellent leadership, coordination, and stakeholder management skills. Understanding of the certified management systems ISO 9001 -2015, ISO 14001- 2015, and ISO 45001 - 2018 Strong understanding of design assurance, technical standards, and construction methodologies. Experience working on large water infrastructure projects with understanding of regulatory frameworks. On site and in a design office, ideally in several roles (Client, Contractor, Designer) but with substantial practical site-based experience including temporary works design. IT Microsoft Office skills Microsoft 365 - Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams BIM/design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, Infraworks) Contract communication systems e.g. Procore, CEMAR, ASite Full driving licence CSCS Card Degree qualified in architecture, engineering, or a related discipline. Chartered status (e.g., CEng, RIBA, MCIOB) is desirable.