hackajob
Design Manager - Expansion DCO

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hackajob is collaborating with Heathrow to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.
Description
This role sits at the centre of Heathrow’s expansion and plays a pivotal part in shaping, coordinating, and securing endorsement of the design that underpins the Development Consent Order (DCO) for what will become the largest infrastructure programme in Europe. As a Design Manager within the Expansion programme, you will help lead the development of integrated, high-quality design solutions that demonstrate to regulators, stakeholders, and decision-makers that Heathrow’s expansion is safe, deliverable, sustainable, and ready for construction. Your work will directly support the progression of the DCO application, ensuring proposed designs are coherent, technically robust, and fully coordinated across disciplines within one of the world’s most complex operational environments.
This is a role for design professionals who want to shape major infrastructure, not simply manage drawings or schedules. You will act as a trusted integrator and leader, bringing together multiple design packages, suppliers, and disciplines to form a clear and compelling vision for Heathrow’s future. Working within a dynamic and ambitious Design & Engineering team, you will translate strategic objectives into practical design outputs that balance operational needs, constructability, safety, sustainability, and long-term value. This once-in-a-generation programme offers the opportunity to develop as a design leader, gain exposure to industry-leading partners, and contribute to a nationally significant project that will influence how major infrastructure is planned and delivered for decades to come.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Responsibilities
- Support Senior Design Managers in delivering their responsibilities and managing design and engineering contracts, including contract administration.
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee the production of design and engineering outputs to ensure alignment with programme objectives and project requirements.
- Manage progress and performance, providing required reporting and ensuring risks and opportunities are identified and addressed throughout the gateway lifecycle.
- Support optioneering and integrated solution development, including stakeholder reviews, approvals, and alignment across disciplines.
- Lead or support the production of documentation for the DCO, early works, and wider programme activities while ensuring quality, safety, inclusive design, and sustainable outcomes.
- Contribute to continuous improvement by capturing best practice and supporting team capability development and succession planning.


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Qualifications
- Previous relevant experience in the management of multidisciplinary design and engineering suppliers.
- Experience of delivering successful outcomes in a complex project or programme environment.
- Adaptability to continuous improvement and change management.
- Degree qualified in appropriate discipline.
Ideally, you will also have
- Experience of working at Heathrow or comparable airport environment.
- NEC accreditation and experience in professional services contract service manager role.
- Development Consent Order experience.
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