Head of Design

Job Title: Head of DesignSalary: Competitive with benefits packageLocation: ManchesterContract: PermanentAbout IESIES Utilities Group Ltd is a leading UK utility Provider delivering end-to-end utility solutions. Our teams operate across Power, Gas, Water, Telecoms, District Heating and Renewables, where we provide survey, design, construction, and maintenance services nationwide. With a commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability, IES supports clients in building and maintaining resilient, future-ready infrastructure networks across the UK. Headquartered in Manchester, IES continues to grow as a trusted partner in the utilities sector.Our Vision:To be the leading utility and infrastructure services provider, Known for innovative and sustainable solutions to current and future challenges.Our Mission:To enable essential utility networks and infrastructure to achieve exceptional levels of resilience and long-term valueRole SummaryTo lead, build, grow, and manage the IES in-house Design Department, ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of multi-disciplinary designs including temporary works designs for gas, water, wastewater, power, and telecoms infrastructure. Provide technical leadership, design governance, and client confidence in the company's end-to-end service offering.Key Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:LeadershipEstablish the Design Department and define its scope, processes, and standards.Develop design capability roadmap aligned to business growth.Line management of multi-disciplinary design engineers and CAD team.Design DeliveryOversee all design output (concept, FEED, detailed design, as-builts).Ensure compliance with industry standards (IGEM, BS/EN, DWI, NG/ENA specifications, CDM Regs).Chair design reviews, HAZOPs, and technical assurance meetings.Adopt the role of DI for Temporary Works and support the establishment, implementation and oversight of the company procedures for temporary works.Appoint competent individuals into Temporary Works Co-ordinator (TWC) and Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) positions.Approve and sign off designs as the lead technical authority.Conduct regular design and temporary works design audits.Governance and ComplianceAct as Principal Designer under CDM where required.Maintain ISO 9001/19650 design management system.Ensure risk assessments and design risk registers are embedded.Commercial & Client EngagementSupport bids and tenders by scoping design solutions and estimating design effort.Engage with clients engineering teams to position the company as a trusted design & build provider.Manage subcontract design partners where additional expertise is needed.Pre-Construction ManagementSupport the pre-construction phase on major projects in terms of Design Co-ordinationSupport the business in establishing and deploying effective pre-construction process and controls to ensure projects transition smoothly, safely and efficiently from the pre-construction to the construction phases.Build a functioning multi discipline pre-construction Design Co-ordination team for the business as it growsResource DevelopmentRecruit, mentor, and develop design engineers.Manage design budget and forecasting.Promote digital engineering/BIM adoption.Essential Skills & ExperienceChartered Engineer (or working towards) in Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Process discipline.Proven track record in utilities/infrastructure design (gas, water, power).Experience delivering design within EPC or D&B project environments.Strong leadership, team management, and client-facing skills.Familiarity with design assurance processes for safety-critical assets.Strong grasp of standards, regulations, and utility / DNO requirements.Digital competency (AutoCAD, Revit, 3D modelling).Great communication and sales skills capable of developing strong relationships with internal and external customers.Strong commercial awareness in both delivering VFM propositions to customers and taking fiscal P&L responsibility for running Design Services.What We OfferCompetitive salarySupportive team environmentCareer Progression opportunitiesPensionHoliday allowance (25 days + Bank holidays)Other benefitsHow to ApplyIf you believe you have the skills and experience were looking for, please submit your CV, including a brief covering note outlining your most relevant contract management or account management experience to recruitment@iesutilities.co.uk. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr