Job Description

Senior Design Manager
Warrington
Flexible Working (3 Days Office-Based)6-Month Contract (Minimum) Energy/Utilities
Your new companyYou will be joining a leading organisation operating within the power and utilities sector, delivering major infrastructure upgrades across substations, overhead lines and underground cable networks. The business is known for its strong technical capability, collaborative culture and commitment to safe, high-quality delivery. With a growing portfolio of complex design-led projects, they are seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to oversee third-party design partners and ensure robust design governance throughout the project lifecycle.
Your new roleAs Senior Design Manager, you will take ownership of the full design management process, acting as the key interface between the client, end-customers and external design teams. You will lead design reviews, manage technical queries, coordinate multidisciplinary inputs and ensure all design deliverables meet contractual, regulatory and programme requirements.Your responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing and managing third-party design consultants across substation, overhead line and underground cable scopes.
• Leading design review meetings, ensuring clarity of requirements and resolving design issues promptly.
• Managing the design process from concept through to construction-ready deliverables.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for the client and customer teams, ensuring expectations are aligned and communication is clear.
• Supporting contract administration activities, including reviewing design-related obligations and ensuring compliance.
• Chairing internal and external meetings, producing minutes, actions and follow-up documentation.
• Ensuring designs are coordinated, buildable and aligned with project constraints and safety requirements.
• Providing commercial awareness across the design process, identifying risks, changes and opportunities.
• Working closely with project managers, engineers and commercial teams to maintain programme and quality standards.
• Operating in a flexible hybrid model, with three days per week, based in the Warrington office.

• Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager or Design Lead within utilities, power, substations, OHL or underground cable projects.
• Strong capability in managing external design teams and driving performance.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage confidently with clients, customers and multidisciplinary teams.
• A solid understanding of design governance, design assurance and contract administration.
• Experience chairing meetings, leading design reviews and managing technical documentation.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple design packages concurrently.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.