Stantec
Design Manager - Water Sector
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The Opportunity
Design Manager - Water Sector, Edinburgh. A decade of Scottish Water work starts here.
Scottish Water is about to invest £8.1bn in its network, the biggest programme in its history. Stantec is one of just two Primary Designers chosen to deliver it.
This landmark partnership, which potentially extends to 2039, secures meaningful work from our Edinburgh office. Not one project. Not one framework cycle. A pipeline of water and wastewater schemes that will shape how Scotland lives for a generation. This major framework success anchors our exceptional performance across the UK for the AMP8 regulatory cycle, where we have secured exciting new project wins and solidified our standing as the number 1 design consultancy in the regulated water sector.
Most engineers get one programme like this in a career. We're building the team now, and the people who join early get to shape how it runs.
Learn more about careers with impact, right here in Scotland
Your Impact
As a Design Manager, you will be the technical lead, working alongside the Project Manager to ensure we deliver best value and service excellence. You will play a key role in ensuring the successful delivery of major projects, bringing together skillsets from multiple disciplines.
You will oversee all aspects of delivery, holding roles that may include delivery of design & build projects, detailed design delivery and owner's engineer services, all requiring complex multi-disciplinary collaboration both internally and externally.
You'll be responsible for planning and leading the technical delivery of projects, collaborating closely with clients, and guiding your multidisciplinary team every step of the way. You'll also have direct access to our world-class global network of experts, providing you with the tools and knowledge to deliver leading-edge designs.
About The Role
As a Design Manager you will not just be drawing up plans, you will be leading them. You will lead a talented team to deliver water projects for Scottish Water from initial concept to detailed design, creating a collaborative environment where new ideas are welcomed. The role is based in our Edinburgh office with hybrid working.
You will be the technical lead, working alongside the Project Manager to deliver best value and service excellence on major projects. You will bring together skills from multiple disciplines and oversee all aspects of delivery, which may include design and build projects, detailed design delivery and owner's engineer services.
You will work across clean water, wastewater, flood risk and urban drainage, partnering with major clients across the UK and helping to influence the future of the industry.
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You will have direct access to our global network of experts, giving you the tools and knowledge to deliver leading-edge designs. We have opportunities at different levels of seniority, so if you are looking to develop your leadership career we will support you on that journey.
Key Responsibilities Include
- Lead a multidisciplinary team to deliver water projects from concept to detailed design.
- Plan and lead the technical delivery of major projects alongside the Project Manager.
- Oversee delivery across design and build projects, detailed design and owner's engineer services.
- Bring together skills from civils, mechanical, electrical, process and other disciplines into coordinated solutions.
- Work closely with clients to deliver best value and service excellence.
- Manage complex collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
- Create an environment where your team can innovate and grow.
- Draw on Stantec's global expert network to deliver leading-edge designs.
About You
Essential
- An experienced engineer with strong technical expertise in civils, mechanical and electrical, process or another relevant discipline.
- Demonstrable experience leading and managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Experience managing multiple projects and stakeholders at the same time.
- A passion for solving engineering problems, the ability to lead and inspire, and the confidence to drive through challenging solutions.
Desirable
- Chartered with a relevant engineering institution. Support can be given to achieve this if required.
- Previous experience of major projects.
- Experience in the water sector or an adjacent regulated sector such as energy, rail, utilities or nuclear.
Why Join Stantec
- We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
- We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work for by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named 'Best Place to Work' and 'International Consulting Firm of the Year' at the NCE Awards 2024.
- We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
- We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups).
- Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK and we want you to be part of it!
- Great benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection and life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
- Hybrid / flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.
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About Stantec
The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.
Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.
Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.
Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.
At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [email protected] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.
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