Design Manager
| Posting date: | 26 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 28 March 2026 |
| Location: | M2 5DB |
| Company: | Octavius Infrastructure Limited |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 0752 |
Summary
We are seeking a Design Manager to help the evolution of our rail capability in the North. This role is key to shaping and developing schemes during the pre-construction phase, ensuring they are ready for successful delivery with a broader remit to drive collaboration, innovation, and efficiency throughout the development lifecycle.
This is a hybrid role, with flexibility to work from home and our Manchester or Birmingham offices, alongside occasional site visits. You will lead the development of solutions that meet Network Rail's requirements and Octavius Infrastructure's objectives, ensuring designs are robust, cost-effective, and aligned with programme and safety standards. Your leadership will foster a collaborative culture across customers, stakeholders, design partners, and suppliers, creating a seamless transition from development to delivery.
You'll receive…. (because we value you)
We offer a competitive rewards package, including a Company Car or car allowance scheme, Private Healthcare, Pension, Life Assurance cover, 25 days Annual Leave (and a day off for your birthday). You'll also have access to Hybrid working where possible, an enhanced Paternity & Maternity package and the opportunity to develop yourself personally and professionally.
About you…. (what you are skilled at)
-Interfacing with Design Consultancies and the Client, understanding Engineering Remits, developing and driving a design Programme.
-Lead on increasing the use of BIM, technology and IT to improve efficiency.
-Embrace Lean personally and within your team as a means of driving out waste and seeking improvements in all activities.
-Identifying new thinking and innovation through collaboration on project delivery and implementing it successfully.
-Understanding and implementing actions from our ‘lessons learnt' meetings. Ensuring Lesson Learnt are as a minimum undertaken for all Stage 1 contracts upon completion, but ideally at regular intervals through the project life cycle and that you actively participate in Stage 2
You'll bring… (your wealth of experience & qualifications)
-An Engineering Background with Design Management Experience. Pricing & Estimating knowledge is a bonus.
-Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
-Good level of NEC3 knowledge, and ability to administer the contract.
-Exceptional people management - with the ability to influence and mentor to motivate employees to achieve exacting standards of compliance.
-Technically savvy, with good working knowledge of Microsoft Project.
-Managing projects or Programmes and working with other departments to achieve deliverables.
-Experience and knowledge of construction industry - awareness of current techniques.
-Has managed design programmes and been responsible for their delivery, in terms of quality, design assurance, commercial performance, and meeting programme constraints.
-Knowledge of Network Rail PACE/GRIP processes and assurance procedures
-Detailed understanding of safety leadership from a policy and behavioural perspective.
-You will be Degree qualified in a Civil, or Electrical Engineering or related course (or equivalent relevant experience)
-Has achieved or has aspiration of Professional membership with a recognised and relevant Professional body, i.e. Institution of Civil or Electrical Engineers and has a clear plan to achieve such status.
Inclusion and diversity are important to us, we are an equal opportunities employer and value difference. We want and will continue to build an inclusive environment where our people thrive. We firmly believe constantly striving to build a truly diverse workforce is what makes us a strong business and will enable us to continue to solve important problems and deliver unrivalled value to both our customers and clients. If you need any specialist support throughout your application, we will work with you where we can to support your journey with us.
This is a hybrid role, with flexibility to work from home and our Manchester or Birmingham offices, alongside occasional site visits. You will lead the development of solutions that meet Network Rail's requirements and Octavius Infrastructure's objectives, ensuring designs are robust, cost-effective, and aligned with programme and safety standards. Your leadership will foster a collaborative culture across customers, stakeholders, design partners, and suppliers, creating a seamless transition from development to delivery.
You'll receive…. (because we value you)
We offer a competitive rewards package, including a Company Car or car allowance scheme, Private Healthcare, Pension, Life Assurance cover, 25 days Annual Leave (and a day off for your birthday). You'll also have access to Hybrid working where possible, an enhanced Paternity & Maternity package and the opportunity to develop yourself personally and professionally.
About you…. (what you are skilled at)
-Interfacing with Design Consultancies and the Client, understanding Engineering Remits, developing and driving a design Programme.
-Lead on increasing the use of BIM, technology and IT to improve efficiency.
-Embrace Lean personally and within your team as a means of driving out waste and seeking improvements in all activities.
-Identifying new thinking and innovation through collaboration on project delivery and implementing it successfully.
-Understanding and implementing actions from our ‘lessons learnt' meetings. Ensuring Lesson Learnt are as a minimum undertaken for all Stage 1 contracts upon completion, but ideally at regular intervals through the project life cycle and that you actively participate in Stage 2
You'll bring… (your wealth of experience & qualifications)
-An Engineering Background with Design Management Experience. Pricing & Estimating knowledge is a bonus.
-Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
-Good level of NEC3 knowledge, and ability to administer the contract.
-Exceptional people management - with the ability to influence and mentor to motivate employees to achieve exacting standards of compliance.
-Technically savvy, with good working knowledge of Microsoft Project.
-Managing projects or Programmes and working with other departments to achieve deliverables.
-Experience and knowledge of construction industry - awareness of current techniques.
-Has managed design programmes and been responsible for their delivery, in terms of quality, design assurance, commercial performance, and meeting programme constraints.
-Knowledge of Network Rail PACE/GRIP processes and assurance procedures
-Detailed understanding of safety leadership from a policy and behavioural perspective.
-You will be Degree qualified in a Civil, or Electrical Engineering or related course (or equivalent relevant experience)
-Has achieved or has aspiration of Professional membership with a recognised and relevant Professional body, i.e. Institution of Civil or Electrical Engineers and has a clear plan to achieve such status.
Inclusion and diversity are important to us, we are an equal opportunities employer and value difference. We want and will continue to build an inclusive environment where our people thrive. We firmly believe constantly striving to build a truly diverse workforce is what makes us a strong business and will enable us to continue to solve important problems and deliver unrivalled value to both our customers and clients. If you need any specialist support throughout your application, we will work with you where we can to support your journey with us.
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