Job Description

Design Manager

Location: Cardiff / South Wales

Rate: Competitive (DOE)

Contract: Long-term temporary contract with the option to transfer to permanent employment with no penalty

Duration: August 2026 – Q4 2027

Hours: 45 hours per week

Danny Sullivan Group is currently seeking an experienced Design Manager to join a leading UK infrastructure contractor delivering a portfolio of high-profile energy infrastructure projects across South Wales. This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of major National Grid schemes while supporting the growth of an expanding in-house design management function.

This position would suit a Design Manager with a strong background in the energy sector, ideally with experience in substation projects, multidisciplinary design management, and NEC contracts.

The Role

As Design Manager, you will be responsible for leading and coordinating the design process from bid stage through to project delivery, ensuring design outputs are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with programme and client requirements.

Key Responsibilities

* Manage the design process from tender stage through to project completion.

* Develop and implement design strategies aligned with project objectives, commercial requirements, and sustainability targets.

* Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, including external design consultancies.

* Ensure compliance with CDM 2015, RIBA stages, industry standards, and relevant legislation.

* Monitor and expedite engineering deliverables to ensure alignment with programme, cost plans, and technical specifications.

* Review design submissions for technical compliance, quality, and completeness.

* Lead design reviews and manage change control processes.

* Interface effectively with clients, contractors, consultants, and statutory authorities.

* Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and best practice throughout the design lifecycle.

* Monitor and report on Design NCRs and support close-out activities.

* Collaborate with project teams including Surveyors, Buyers, Project Managers, Site Managers, Contract Managers, and Estimators.

Requirements

* Proven experience managing multidisciplinary design packages within the energy sector.

* Previous experience delivering substation projects is highly desirable.

* Experience working on projects for UK Transmission Service Operators, including:

* National Grid

* Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks

* SP Energy Networks

* NIE Networks

* Strong working knowledge of NEC3 and NEC4 contracts.

* Experience managing Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contracts.

* Proven ability to manage and oversee external design consultancies, ensuring quality, compliance, and programme alignment.

* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

What's on Offer?

* Long-term project pipeline through to Q4 2027.

* Opportunity to work on major UK energy infrastructure projects.

* Potential for permanent employment.

* Competitive rates and career development opportunities.

* Join a highly respected contractor delivering critical infrastructure across the UK.

Interested?

Apply today or contact Danny Sullivan Group for more information on this exciting opportunity