Hays
Design Manager - Water Projects
Requirements
Candidates need previous design management experience in infrastructure, utilities, or water projects, and prior water-sector experience is essential. They should understand AMP delivery models and framework contracts, have experience coordinating multiple engineering disciplines, and bring strong stakeholder and communication skills alongside engineering qualifications or equivalent industry experience.
Job Description
A specialist infrastructure business delivering major improvements to water and wastewater networks is seeking an experienced Design Manager to support a growing programme of AMP8 projects across Kent and the South East.This contract position will be centred around the Chatham office, with a blend of site visits and flexible working. The role offers the opportunity to become involved in schemes at various stages of the project lifecycle, from early design development through to construction support and final delivery.
The Opportunity
The AMP8 investment period is creating significant demand for experienced water professionals who can bridge the gap between design teams and project delivery functions. As Design Manager, you'll be responsible for ensuring engineering solutions are developed efficiently, meet operational requirements and can be successfully delivered on site.
Working as part of an established framework team in Chatham, you'll help drive design performance across a portfolio of clean water and wastewater projects that are essential to improving regional infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading and coordinating multidisciplinary design activities
- Managing relationships with external engineering consultants and technical partners
- Reviewing designs to ensure practicality, safety and buildability
- Tracking design progress against programme milestones
- Facilitating technical workshops and design reviews
- Identifying engineering risks and developing mitigation strategies
- Supporting construction teams with technical queries and design changes
- Ensuring compliance with client specifications, environmental requirements and industry standards
What You'll Need
This role is aimed at experienced professionals who have already delivered projects within the UK water industry.
You'll ideally bring:
- Previous Design Management experience within infrastructure, utilities or water projects
- A proven background in clean water, wastewater or process engineering environments
- Understanding of AMP delivery models and framework contracts
- Experience coordinating civil, mechanical, electrical and process design disciplines
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
- Engineering qualifications or equivalent industry experience
Previous water sector experience is essential. The client is specifically seeking candidates who understand the technical, operational and regulatory requirements unique to water and wastewater project delivery.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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Skills
About Hays
At Hays, we believe that the right job can transform a person's life - and the right person can transform a business. From career‑defining opportunities to complex workforce strategies, we connect ambition with opportunity - helping people and organisations reimagine what’s possible. Every year we place over 200,000 professionals into new roles. Whether it’s a permanent role or a temporary contract, our specialist consultants provide tailored advice and market intelligence to accelerate careers, from emerging talent to executive leadership. For organisations, our expert teams build recruitment and workforce solutions shaped by real-time market insights, local expertise and the scale of a world leading specialist in white collar hiring. With operations in 30 countries, over 200 offices and 9,500 colleagues worldwide, we fill around 1,000 roles every working day. The future of work isn’t something we’re waiting for. We’re creating it every day.