Design Manager (Temporary Works)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager (Temporary Works)

Company: SYSTRA

Location: London, UK

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Engineering & Design Management

Date Posted: 2026-08-24

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversee the design delivery of allocated civil engineering work packages, ensuring adherence to project plans, budgets, and client specifications.

• Implement and manage robust systems and procedures for cost-effective, high-quality, safe, and environmentally responsible design and construction activities.

• Coordinate effectively between design and construction teams to facilitate the timely flow of design information and ensure overall delivery objectives are met.

• Actively contribute to bid preparation and support construction teams throughout the project lifecycle, fostering strong relationships with all external parties to enhance SYSTRA's reputation.

• Drive innovative and value-for-money design solutions, progressing projects through preliminary and detailed design phases while ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, including CDM Regulations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for a Design Manager with a specialization in Temporary Works, a critical function in civil engineering and infrastructure projects. The focus is on managing the design process from inception through to construction support, emphasizing project controls, risk management, and stakeholder communication within a hybrid work environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Establish and implement the Project Plan for allocated work packages, ensuring clear objectives, timelines, and resource allocation.

• Develop and maintain accurate forecasts, cost, and revenue budgets, proactively managing financial performance against project targets.

• Document and manage all fee, program, and scope changes, ensuring proper change control procedures are followed and communicated.

• Ensure the timely delivery of all specified project outcomes, meeting client requirements, budget constraints, and quality standards.

• Foster seamless coordination between design and construction teams, ensuring a continuous and efficient flow of design information critical for site execution.

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, and other external stakeholders to enhance SYSTRA's professional reputation and facilitate project success.

• Implement systems and procedures to ensure a cost-effective, high-quality, safe, and environmentally responsible approach to design, construction, and commissioning activities, compliant with all relevant legislation.

• Monitor the progress of design development against program and budgets, identifying potential risks and implementing mitigation strategies.

• Develop and maintain resource allocation plans, balancing workload across the portfolio and liaising with other Design Managers to optimize team capacity.

• Apply project controls and procedures to allocated projects, ensuring adherence to SYSTRA's established methodologies and best practices.

• Conduct risk assessments and HAZOP analyses for all projects, ensuring environmental aspects are managed in accordance with the Environmental Policy.

• Support the Bid Manager with all aspects of Tender Preparation, contributing technical expertise and design solutions.

• Provide comprehensive support to construction teams at all stages of the construction process, addressing design queries and challenges.

• Develop, review, and ensure the correct use and application of 'design management' documentation, including method statements and design execution plans.

• Prepare monthly progress reports, chair design progress meetings, and ensure effective communication of project status to senior management and stakeholders.

• Supervise and mentor junior team members, including Assistant Project Managers (APMs), Graduates, and Apprentices, fostering their professional development.

• Assist with contract preparation, project planning, and programming, ensuring alignment with overall project objectives.

• Manage project administration, including monitoring program delivery, resource utilization, and budgets, and responding effectively to project-related correspondence.

• Implement effective, value-for-money, and innovative design delivery solutions that meet technical and project requirements.

• Liaise with clients to ensure their requirements are effectively communicated and integrated into the design process.

• Coordinate with UK and overseas multi-disciplinary design teams, ensuring a cohesive and integrated design approach.

• Ensure strict compliance with relevant health, safety, and environmental legislation, with a particular emphasis on the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM).

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical design oversight, project management, financial control, and team leadership. The emphasis on Temporary Works, CDM Regulations, NEC3 contracts, and specific software (ProjectWise, Bentley Systems) indicates a need for specialized expertise within the civil engineering and infrastructure sector.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Degree qualified within a relevant engineering or construction discipline (e.g., Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering). Experience:

• Proven experience in managing the coordination of multidisciplinary design teams on major infrastructure projects.

• Demonstrated experience in managing design delivery programs and budgets successfully.

• Broad Design Engineering experience gained specifically on infrastructure projects.

• Practical experience in delivering Temporary Works (TW) design packages.

• Experience working with NEC3 (or NEC4) contract frameworks, understanding their implications for design management. Required Skills:

• Design Management: Ability to lead and manage the entire design process for complex projects, ensuring quality, efficiency, and compliance.

• Civil Engineering Expertise: Strong understanding of civil engineering principles, practices, and common challenges in infrastructure development.

• Project Management: Proficiency in planning, executing, and closing projects, with a focus on scope, schedule, budget, and risk management.

• Leadership & Team Supervision: Capacity to lead, motivate, and mentor multidisciplinary teams, including junior engineers and apprentices.

• Commercial Awareness: Understanding of project finance, contract management, fee negotiation, and profit/loss responsibility.

• CDM Regulations: In-depth knowledge and practical application of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.

• NEC3 Contract Management: Familiarity with the principles and administration of NEC3 contracts, particularly regarding design responsibilities and change management.

• ProjectWise: Working experience with Bentley ProjectWise for document management, collaboration, and workflow automation.

• Bentley Systems Software: Proficiency in using Bentley Systems design and analysis software relevant to infrastructure projects.

• Risk Assessment & HAZOP Analysis: Experience in identifying, assessing, and mitigating project risks, including conducting Hazard and Operability studies.

• Stakeholder Management: Ability to effectively communicate with and manage expectations of clients, contractors, internal teams, and regulatory bodies.

• Budget Management: Skill in developing, monitoring, and controlling project budgets to ensure financial targets are met.

• Resource Allocation: Proficiency in planning and allocating resources (personnel, equipment, time) effectively to meet project demands.

Preferred Skills:

• Professional Institution Membership (e.g., ICE, IStructE) demonstrating professional development and commitment.

• Experience with other relevant design software packages or BIM (Building Information Modelling) tools.

• Familiarity with sustainability principles and their integration into infrastructure design.

• Experience in international project coordination or working with overseas design teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are highly specific to managing design in a regulated construction environment. Proficiency in ProjectWise and Bentley Systems is a strong indicator of the company's technology stack and preferred working methods. A degree in a relevant discipline is a baseline, but practical experience managing complex infrastructure projects and understanding contract frameworks like NEC3 is paramount.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Delivery Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating successful management of civil engineering design packages, ideally including Temporary Works. Each case study should highlight the project's scope, your role, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and quantifiable outcomes.

• Process Optimization Examples: Include documentation or descriptions of processes you have designed, implemented, or improved to enhance design efficiency, quality, safety, or cost-effectiveness. This could include workflow diagrams, standard operating procedures, or templates.

• System Implementation Evidence: Provide examples of your experience with implementing and managing design systems, such as document control systems (e.g., ProjectWise), collaboration platforms, or project management software. Detail the benefits achieved through these implementations.

• Financial Management Demonstrations: Present evidence of your ability to manage project budgets, including examples of cost forecasting, budget control reports, or instances where you successfully delivered projects within financial constraints. Quantify savings or efficiencies achieved where possible.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Showcase your ability to map, analyze, and optimize design workflows. This could include visual representations of current vs. improved processes, highlighting efficiency gains or risk reductions.

• Implementation and Automation Methods: Provide examples of how you have implemented new design processes, software, or automation tools. Detail the implementation plan, challenges encountered, and the resulting improvements in project delivery.

• Measurement and Performance Analysis: Demonstrate your approach to measuring design performance, including key performance indicators (KPIs) you have used, reporting mechanisms, and how you have used data to drive continuous improvement in design delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role, the portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical application of skills. Candidates should focus on showcasing their ability to manage complex processes, implement systems, and achieve tangible results in terms of project delivery, budget control, and stakeholder satisfaction. Evidence of managing Temporary Works and understanding CDM compliance will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated range of £55,000 - £75,000 per annum, depending on experience and specific qualifications. Benefits:

• Hybrid Working Model: Flexibility to balance office-based work with remote working, promoting work-life integration.

• Pension Scheme: Contributory pension scheme to support long-term financial planning.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, training, and support for professional institution membership fees.

• Health and Wellbeing: Access to health and wellbeing programs, potentially including private medical insurance or employee assistance programs.

• Annual Leave: Generous annual leave allowance, with potential for increased entitlement based on service.

• Life Assurance: Company-provided life assurance cover.

• Career Advancement: Opportunities for progression within a growing global organization, with potential to move into more senior management roles or specialized areas.

• Project Exposure: Opportunity to work on high-profile, significant infrastructure projects within the UK and potentially internationally.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week.

• The hybrid model allows for some flexibility in daily scheduling, subject to project demands and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on typical Design Manager roles with temporary works specialization in London, considering the specified experience level (5-10 years) and the company's industry (engineering consultancy). Benefits are standard for a professional role in the UK engineering sector, with emphasis on development and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: SYSTRA operates within the Transportation and Mobility sector, focusing on planning, designing, integrating, testing, commissioning, and project managing mass transit and mobility solutions. This includes rail, metro, bus, and active travel infrastructure. The company is deeply involved in sustainable urban development and modernizing transport networks.

Company Size: SYSTRA is a large, global organization with over 10,300 employees worldwide, including approximately 1,000 in the UK & Ireland. This size offers stability, diverse project opportunities, and a broad professional network.

Founded: SYSTRA has been in operation for over 60 years, establishing a long-standing reputation and deep expertise in the transport infrastructure sector. This history signifies a stable and experienced organization.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will be part of the Civil Engineering team within SYSTRA UK.

• This team likely operates with a matrix structure, where Design Managers report to a Project Manager or Engineering Manager for specific projects, while also being part of a functional discipline team.

• Collaboration is expected with other Design Managers, designers, contract partners, construction teams, bid managers, and stakeholder management teams, indicating a highly cross-functional working environment. Methodology:

• SYSTRA emphasizes a commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and innovation in its designs.

• The company implements rigorous processes for project controls, risk management (including HAZOP), and quality assurance.

• A strong focus is placed on collaboration and effective communication between design and construction phases, as well as with clients and stakeholders.

• Adherence to regulatory compliance, particularly CDM Regulations, is a core operational principle.

Company Website: https://www.systra.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: SYSTRA's global presence and long history suggest a culture that values expertise, innovation, and collaboration. The emphasis on sustainability and modern mobility solutions indicates a forward-thinking approach. The team structure implies a need for strong interpersonal and communication skills to navigate cross-functional relationships effectively.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Senior to Senior Engineering Management level. It requires significant experience in managing design processes, teams, and project financials within the infrastructure sector. The responsibilities involve accountability for design delivery, strategic input into bids, and team supervision, indicating a level of autonomy and leadership.

Reporting Structure:

• The Design Manager will likely report to a Project Manager or Engineering Manager, overseeing specific work packages.

• They will also be responsible for supervising and mentoring Assistant Project Managers (APMs), Graduates, and Apprentices, indicating a direct line management responsibility for junior staff.

• Collaboration with other Design Managers suggests a peer-level relationship within the broader design management function. Operations Impact:

• The Design Manager's role is critical to project success, directly influencing project timelines, budgets, quality, and safety. Effective design management ensures that projects are deliverable, cost-effective, and meet client requirements.

• Their work contributes to SYSTRA's reputation for delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions, which in turn impacts the company's ability to secure future projects and maintain its market position.

• By ensuring efficient design delivery, they contribute to the overall profitability and operational efficiency of SYSTRA's projects. Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Design Manager/Principal Design Manager: Progression to managing larger, more complex, or multiple work packages, potentially with greater strategic input.

• Project Management: Transition into a full Project Management role, taking broader responsibility for all project aspects beyond just design delivery.

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of civil engineering or temporary works, becoming a recognized subject matter expert.

• Team Leadership: Move into roles with broader team leadership responsibilities, such as Head of Design or Engineering Manager, overseeing larger teams and departmental strategy.

• Business Development: Contribute more significantly to bid management and client relationship development, leveraging their technical and project experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: SYSTRA's growth and global presence provide a fertile ground for career advancement. The role offers a clear path for those looking to move into senior management within engineering and project delivery, with opportunities to expand their technical expertise or leadership scope.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid. This means a combination of working from SYSTRA's London office and remotely from home. The office environment is expected to be professional and collaborative, equipped for engineering design and project coordination.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is GWR Old Oak Common Rail Depot, Old Oak Common Lane, London, NW10 6ED, UK. This location suggests proximity to major rail infrastructure projects, which is highly relevant to SYSTRA's core business.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office will likely feature meeting rooms, hot-desking areas, and potentially dedicated project team spaces to facilitate interaction with colleagues, including other Design Managers, engineers, and project staff.

• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to necessary IT infrastructure, design software (ProjectWise, Bentley Systems), communication tools, and potentially VR/AR facilities for design reviews.

• Operations Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for face-to-face and virtual interaction with design teams, construction liaison teams, and project management personnel, fostering a cohesive project delivery approach.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is typically 40 hours per week.

• The hybrid nature allows for flexibility in structuring the work week, balancing office days with remote days. This flexibility is beneficial for deep work and managing personal commitments, while ensuring necessary on-site presence for coordination and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model reflects modern work practices, offering a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. The specific office location at Old Oak Common suggests a focus on major rail infrastructure projects, offering exciting work opportunities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and application to assess alignment with the core requirements, particularly experience in infrastructure, temporary works, and relevant software.

• First Interview: Typically with an HR representative and/or a hiring manager. This will focus on your career history, motivations, understanding of the role, and initial assessment of key skills like leadership, communication, and commercial awareness. Be prepared to discuss your experience with CDM and NEC3.

• Technical/Case Study Interview: This stage will involve a deeper dive into your technical expertise and project management capabilities. You may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio, detailing a complex design management challenge you overcame, how you managed a multidisciplinary team, or how you controlled costs and schedules.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or director. This interview may focus more on strategic thinking, cultural fit, and long-term career aspirations within SYSTRA. It's an opportunity to ask detailed questions about the company's direction and the role's impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, and the measurable results (e.g., cost savings, time efficiencies, improved safety metrics, successful project completion).

• Showcase Temporary Works Expertise: Highlight specific examples of managing the design and delivery of complex temporary works, demonstrating your understanding of the unique risks and challenges involved.

• Demonstrate Process Management: Present visual aids (flowcharts, diagrams) to illustrate your approach to workflow optimization, design reviews, and stakeholder communication.

• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use numbers and data to support your claims about budget management, schedule adherence, and team performance.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experiences that directly align with SYSTRA's focus on infrastructure, rail, and their stated values (sustainability, innovation).

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Problem-Solving: Be prepared for hypothetical scenarios where you might need to quickly assess a design issue, propose solutions, and outline a plan for implementation and risk mitigation.

• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Practice articulating how you would manage conflicting priorities between design, construction, and client requirements.

• Commercial Acumen Questions: Prepare to discuss your approach to budget forecasting, cost control, and managing contract variations within an NEC3 framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess both technical competence and managerial capability. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly demonstrates experience with Temporary Works, CDM, NEC3, and successful project delivery is essential. Highlighting your ability to manage complex processes and deliver results will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Bentley ProjectWise: Essential for document management, design collaboration, workflow automation, and version control of project documentation. Expect to demonstrate proficiency in navigating, managing, and potentially configuring ProjectWise for design teams.

• Bentley Systems Design Software: While not specifying individual packages, SYSTRA likely uses a suite of Bentley products for structural analysis, drafting, and modeling (e.g., STAAD.Pro, OpenBuildings Designer, OpenRoads Designer). Familiarity with relevant Bentley tools for civil and structural design is advantageous.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Standard proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for reporting, analysis, communication, and presentations. Advanced Excel skills for budgeting and data analysis are highly beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Project Management Software: Tools for schedule tracking, resource management, and progress reporting (e.g., Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or internal SYSTRA systems).

• Reporting Dashboards: Experience with creating or interpreting project performance dashboards, potentially using tools like Power BI or Tableau, to communicate KPIs to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• Internal SYSTRA Systems: Likely proprietary or customized systems for project management, client relationship management, and financial tracking.

• Communication & Collaboration Platforms: Tools such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for team communication, virtual meetings, and project collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Bentley's ProjectWise is a non-negotiable requirement, highlighting SYSTRA's reliance on this integrated platform for design management. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools and how they leverage them to improve design delivery processes and team collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Design: A commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative, and technically sound engineering solutions that meet and exceed client expectations.

• Safety First: A paramount importance placed on health, safety, and environmental responsibility throughout all project phases, especially in temporary works design.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Fostering a supportive and integrated working environment where diverse teams work together effectively to achieve common goals.

• Integrity and Professionalism: Upholding the highest ethical standards, transparency, and professionalism in all dealings with clients, partners, and colleagues.

• Innovation and Sustainability: Driving forward-thinking solutions that contribute to sustainable development and enhance mobility for communities.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: SYSTRA emphasizes strong collaboration between design, construction, procurement, and project management teams to ensure holistic project delivery.

• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, feedback, and knowledge sharing across disciplines and hierarchical levels to identify potential issues early and drive continuous improvement.

• Client-Centric Approach: Working closely with clients to understand their needs, manage expectations, and ensure their requirements are met effectively throughout the design process.

• Proactive Problem Solving: A culture that encourages proactive identification of challenges and collaborative development of practical, efficient solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value technical expertise, safety, collaboration, and a forward-looking approach to sustainable infrastructure. Candidates should demonstrate how their personal values and working style align with these principles, particularly in their approach to teamwork and problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Effectively managing the demands of several allocated work packages simultaneously, each with its own timeline, budget, and stakeholder group.

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Managing diverse interests and expectations from clients, contractors, internal departments, and regulatory bodies.

• Ensuring Compliance in a Dynamic Environment: Keeping abreast of and ensuring adherence to evolving CDM Regulations, technical standards, and contractual obligations.

• Driving Innovation within Constraints: Implementing new design approaches or technologies while adhering to strict project budgets and timelines.

• Integrating Design and Construction: Bridging potential gaps in understanding or communication between design teams and site teams to ensure smooth project execution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Technical Training: Access to specialized training in temporary works design, advanced engineering software, or specific project methodologies.

• Leadership Development Programs: Opportunities to enhance management and leadership skills through internal and external training, workshops, and mentorship.

• Industry Conferences and Seminars: Participation in industry events to stay updated on best practices, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes in civil engineering and infrastructure.

• Chartership Support: For those not yet chartered, support towards achieving professional qualifications with institutions like ICE or IStructE.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gaining experience by working on a wide variety of infrastructure projects across different sectors (rail, highways, etc.) and potentially collaborating with international SYSTRA offices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to tackle complex engineering challenges and develop advanced project management and leadership skills. SYSTRA's commitment to professional development suggests a supportive environment for individuals looking to grow their careers within the infrastructure sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to developing and managing a project plan for a complex civil engineering work package, including key milestones and risk mitigation strategies." (Focus on structured planning, proactive risk identification, and clear communication.)

• "How do you ensure effective collaboration and timely information flow between design teams and construction teams, particularly in challenging or fast-paced projects?" (Highlight communication protocols, joint meetings, and problem-solving approaches.)

• "Walk us through a situation where you had to manage significant budget constraints or scope changes on a project. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?" (Emphasize financial acumen, change control procedures, and stakeholder negotiation.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about SYSTRA and our work in the transportation and mobility sector?" (Research SYSTRA's recent projects, values, and commitment to sustainability. Align your interests with their mission.)

• "How do you approach managing and mentoring junior engineers or apprentices on your projects?" (Demonstrate leadership style, commitment to professional development, and team building.)

• "How do you ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations, particularly CDM Regulations, within your design management process?" (Showcase your deep understanding and practical application of these regulations.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each example, use a clear STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or similar framework. Clearly define the project context, your specific role and responsibilities, the actions you took, and the quantifiable results achieved.

• Highlight Temporary Works: Dedicate specific examples or sections to your Temporary Works experience, detailing the complexity, risks managed, and design solutions implemented.

• Showcase Technology Use: When discussing ProjectWise or Bentley Systems, explain how you used them to improve efficiency, collaboration, or quality, rather than just stating you used them.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics whenever possible – e.g., "delivered design 10% under budget," "reduced design review time by 15%," "managed a team of 8 engineers."

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific technical challenges, contractual nuances (NEC3), or how you handled difficult stakeholder situations within your presented projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating practical experience in managing design for infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on temporary works, CDM compliance, and contract management (NEC3). The ability to clearly articulate your process, manage risks, and deliver results, supported by your portfolio, will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager (Temporary Works) position:

• Submit your application through the SYSTRA careers portal via the provided link.

• Tailor your CV: Ensure your CV prominently features keywords and experiences relevant to Design Management, Temporary Works, Civil Engineering, CDM Regulations, NEC3 contracts, ProjectWise, and Bentley Systems. Highlight achievements with quantifiable results.

• Prepare your Portfolio: Compile your case studies and process documentation, focusing on demonstrating your expertise in managing design delivery, temporary works, and stakeholder communication. Be ready to present key examples during the interview process.

• Research SYSTRA: Familiarize yourself with SYSTRA's recent projects, company values, and their approach to sustainability and innovation. Understand their role in the broader transportation and mobility sector.

• Practice Interview Responses: Rehearse answers to common interview questions, particularly those related to project management, technical challenges, stakeholder management, and your experience with the required tools and regulations.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.