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Design Manager - Water
Design Manager – Water (Infrastructure Programmes)
Location(s): UK ( జరుగుతుంది with major water infrastructure contracts) Contract Type: Permanent Package: Competitive + Benefits
About the Role
At Jacobs, we’re driving progress for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, scientific discovery, and cutting-edge manufacturing—turning bold ideas into real-world transformations.
The UK’s water sector is at a pivotal moment, with the Independent Water Commission (IWC) review and unprecedented investment creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine water and wastewater infrastructure. As a trusted partner to the largest UK water companies, we lead critical programmes from feasibility and planning to design, construction management, and operations & maintenance.
We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead our most ambitious and high-profile water infrastructure projects—a role that demands technical expertise, strategic vision, and collaborative leadership. You will:
- Drive innovative delivery models for complex, large-scale schemes
- Shape technical and commercial strategies for major infrastructure portfolios
- Mentor and inspire high-performing teams in a forward-thinking environment
- Deliver transformational programmes with lasting societal impact
This is more than a job—it’s a chance to steer the future of water infrastructure, champion innovation, inclusion, and sustainability, and work with a company that puts people at its core.
Key Responsibilities
As the Design Manager – Water, your contributions will be pivotal. Key duties include:
Technical & Delivery Leadership
- Ensure compliance with UK technical standards, CDM regulations, and NEC3/NEC4 contracts
- Own value engineering, value management, and buildability assessments to optimise design delivery
- Lead scheduling, risk mitigation, change control, and financial forecasting, ensuring constructability and commissioning are embedded in design
- Monitor technical performance, modernisation strategies, and lifecycle cost optimisation
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Stakeholder & Client Engagement
- Lead stakeholder engagement and manage client expectations as an active framework leadership team member
- Build long-term client relationships and contribute to business growth initiatives
- Collaborate with the Project Manager to align quality and delivery plans
Innovation & Team Development
- Drive innovation in design and construction, including standardisation and design automation
- Mentor engineers and project teams, fostering career, personal, and professional growth
- Champion continued professional development (CPD) for high-potential talent
Requirements
A successful candidate will demonstrate a progressive blend of technical leadership, strategic acumen, and interpersonal skills. Key criteria include:
- Technical leadership in large-scale water/infrastructure programmes—proven experience in design management and project execution
- Multidisciplinary experience at the intersection of engineering and construction, with expertise in UK water/wastewater projects
- CDM regulation familiarity and commercial contract knowledge (NEC3/NEC4 preferred)
- Problem-solving mindset with a passion for innovation in traditional and emerging sectors (e.g., asset modernisation, net-zero strategies)
- Stakeholder management skills, able to translate complex technical issues for diverse audiences
- Courageous ownership—ability to operate autonomously with authority and accountability
- Strong communication and relationship-building, with experience in liaising across technical and commercial teams
- Experience in sector-led programmes (e.g., water delivery partnerships, major planning applications)
Nice to Have
- Experience in national infrastructure frameworks, such as water company framework programmes
- Direct alignment with Jacobs’ environment & sustainability strategies
Why Join Jacobs?
Join a company where people are at heart, and success is defined by impact, inclusion, and adaptability. We offer:
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Competitive Compensation & Benefits
- Salary reflective of your expertise and experience
- Enhanced pension contributions (up to 10% employer contribution)
- Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid, remote, and part-time options
- Comprehensive healthcare: bespoke single medical cover, Digital GP service, plus options to extend to family
- Family planning support, including fertility healthcare services
- Enhanced parental leave (pay + bespoke employee support programmes)
- Life assurance up to 4x salary, plus wellbeing perks (Calm/Daily Burn subscriptions)
- Professional development covered, including CPD fees and career coaching
- Community & volunteering opportunities (paid volunteering time, charity matching, bespoke employee programmes)
A Culture That Cares
- Hybrid working empowers you to balance productivity, well-being, and team collaboration
- Employee Networks and find your community initiatives build inclusion and belonging
- Safety, sustainability, and integrity drive every decision we make
- Growth mindset—we nurture future leaders and celebrate creativity and problem-solving
Building on a 100+ years of solving milestone challenges, Jacobs offers global recognition and local impact. Whether you’re passionate about engineering, policy, or people, you’ll find a role that matches your mission.
Ready to Redefine Tomorrow?
As a disability-confident employer, we interview candidates who can demonstrate capability. We also welcome applications from those seeking flexible working, and candidates with diverse experience streams.
To learn more about life at Jacobs, visit our inside Jacobs Career site or explore Inclusion at Jacobs.
For accessibility, visit VERCIDA UK or contact [Careers Support/HR@Jacobs.com] if you require reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
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