Design Manager (Water & Wastewater)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager (Water & Wastewater) Company: Arcadis Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom Job Type: Full time Category: Operations - Design & Engineering Management Date Posted: 24 July 2025 Experience Level: 10+ Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead multi-disciplinary design teams on complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects, driving technical excellence and project delivery within the UK's AMP8 programs.
• Manage project lifecycles from inception through to completion, ensuring adherence to scope, budget, and timeline, with a focus on fee ranges typically exceeding £1M+.
• Cultivate strong client relationships and collaborate effectively with partner organizations and the supply chain to maintain Arcadis' reputation for innovative and high-quality design solutions.
• Provide strategic line management, fostering professional development and pastoral care for team members, championing a culture of innovation, quality, safety, health, and sustainability.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior-level operations and engineering management function within the water sector. The emphasis on leading complex, multi-disciplinary projects and managing significant fee values (£1M+) indicates a strategic operational responsibility for project success and team performance. The mention of "AMP8 programmes" signifies a direct involvement in a major national infrastructure investment cycle for the UK water industry.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams for wastewater or water treatment/infrastructure projects and programs throughout the design lifecycle.
• Collaborate closely with key clients, partner organizations, and the supply chain to uphold Arcadis' reputation for high-quality, innovative design and exceptional client experience.
• Build and maintain adequate resources for project or program delivery, identifying strategic recruitment needs to support workload demands and future growth.
• Partner with Framework Directors, Project Managers, and Commercial teams to manage program execution, ensure commercial rigor, deliver profitable outputs, and efficiently resolve project issues.
• Act as a Line Manager, providing career direction, pastoral care, and professional development for team members, leading by example to achieve sector/divisional goals and championing an entrepreneurial and high-quality culture.
• Promote a proactive culture concerning Safety, Health, Quality, and Sustainability matters across all project activities and team interactions.
• Champion a culture of innovation to drive the development of engineering technology and continuous improvement systems within the design processes.
• Perform other duties as required by Client Managers or Arcadis Senior Leadership to support business objectives and cross-team collaboration.
• Foster collaboration with other Arcadis teams to ensure the sharing of collective knowledge and experience across the organization for enhanced project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical leadership, project oversight, financial accountability (commercial rigor, profitable outputs), and people management. The emphasis on "design life cycle" and "multi-disciplinary coordination" points to a strong focus on operational process management within engineering design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Process Engineering, or another directly related engineering discipline.

Experience:

• Demonstrable design management capability with applied sector experience, specifically within the water industry.
• Proven track record of leading, managing, and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams on complex projects.
• Extensive experience in contract, commercial, project, and program management.
• Significant experience working on complex design and delivery frameworks and/or design and build projects.
• Experience in managing business relationships at a senior management level.
• Demonstrable experience in building and sustaining successful teams.

Required Skills:

• Design Management: Proven ability to oversee and coordinate complex design processes for water and wastewater projects.
• Water Engineering Expertise: Practical technical understanding of water engineering principles, treatment processes, and infrastructure.
• Project Management: Strong skills in planning, executing, and closing projects, including scope, schedule, and resource management.
• Client Relationship Management: Ability to build and maintain strong, positive relationships with key clients and stakeholders.
• Team Leadership & People Management: Experience in leading, motivating, and developing engineering teams, including performance management and career guidance.
• Commercial & Contract Management: Proficiency in managing project commercials, understanding contract terms, and ensuring financial rigor.
• Multi-disciplinary Coordination: Skill in integrating and managing input from various engineering disciplines (e.g., civil, mechanical, electrical, process).
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, effective for stakeholder engagement at all levels and across diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Skills:

• Chartered/Incorporated Engineer Status: Membership with a recognized professional institution (e.g., ICE, IMechE, IET, IChemE, CIWEM).
• Digital Proficiency: Demonstrable curiosity or proficiency in digital tools and technologies relevant to design and project management (e.g., BIM, data analytics platforms).
• Innovation Management: Ability to foster and implement innovative engineering solutions and continuous improvement systems.
• Safety, Health, Quality & Sustainability Advocacy: Commitment to promoting best practices in these critical areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a degree in a directly related engineering field and professional chartership (ICE, etc.) is standard for leadership roles in UK engineering consultancies. The emphasis on "extensive experience" in project, commercial, and contract management, alongside client relationship management at a senior level, underscores the operational and strategic importance of this role. The "digitally curious" aspect suggests an expectation for modern approaches to design management.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a portfolio showcasing successful leadership of complex, multi-disciplinary water and wastewater design projects, highlighting scale and complexity.
• Include evidence of managing projects with significant fee values (e.g., £1M+) and delivering profitable outcomes.
• Provide examples of effective client engagement and successful management of senior-level client relationships.
• Showcase experience in managing project commercials, contracts, and ensuring financial rigor throughout the project lifecycle.
• Present case studies detailing how teams were built, managed, and developed under your leadership.

Process Documentation:

• Illustrate experience in developing and implementing design management processes for water and wastewater projects, from concept to detailed design.
• Showcase methodologies used for coordinating multi-disciplinary design inputs and ensuring seamless integration.
• Provide examples of how you have managed program delivery, resolved project issues efficiently, and driven continuous improvement in design workflows.
• Detail approaches to managing project resources, identifying recruitment needs, and ensuring adequate team capacity.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a "portfolio requirement," the "Dimensions of the job" and "Role accountabilities" clearly imply a need for candidates to present evidence of their design management, project delivery, and team leadership capabilities. This would typically be demonstrated through a portfolio of past projects and a discussion of their personal contributions and methodologies during the interview process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Design Managers with 10+ years of experience in the UK engineering consultancy sector, particularly in water/wastewater, the estimated salary range is between £65,000 - £90,000 per annum. This estimate considers the seniority of the role, the complexity of projects managed, and the specific location in Manchester.

Benefits:

• Competitive Pension Scheme: Arcadis likely offers a defined contribution pension scheme with employer contributions to support long-term financial security.
• Health and Wellbeing Programs: Comprehensive health insurance, potentially including private medical cover, and access to employee assistance programs for mental and physical wellbeing.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued professional development, including support for chartership renewal, further training, and attendance at industry conferences.
• Performance-Related Bonus: Potential for annual bonuses tied to individual, team, and company performance, reflecting contributions to profitability and project success.
• Generous Annual Leave: A standard entitlement of annual leave days, likely exceeding the statutory minimum, with options to purchase additional days.
• Hybrid Working Options: While the role is primarily on-site, Arcadis may offer some flexibility for hybrid working arrangements, subject to project and team needs.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time, senior-level position in the UK, with potential for flexibility depending on project demands and team coordination needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: A specific salary range for this role was not provided in the input data. The estimated range is derived from publicly available salary data for Design Managers in the UK engineering sector with comparable experience and specialization, cross-referenced with industry reports for Manchester. Arcadis, as a large global consultancy, is expected to offer a comprehensive benefits package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering and Consultancy Services, focused on Natural and Built Assets. Arcadis operates globally, with a significant presence in infrastructure development and sustainable solutions. The Water Optimisation team specifically targets the UK water sector, a key area of investment and development. Company Size: Over 36,000 employees globally, indicating a large, established organization with diverse capabilities and a broad market reach. This size offers opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and career mobility. Founded: Arcadis has a long history, tracing its origins back to 1888, signifying stability, established expertise, and a deep understanding of the engineering and consultancy landscape.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to Framework or Technical Directors, indicating a hierarchical structure within the Design Management capability.
• The Design Manager will lead multi-disciplinary teams, suggesting a matrixed or project-based team structure where specialists from various engineering disciplines report functionally to the project lead.
• Expect close collaboration with Project Managers, Commercial teams, and other Arcadis business units to ensure integrated project delivery and client satisfaction.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Arcadis emphasizes using data and analytics to inform design and project management decisions, aiming for optimized outcomes.
• Collaborative Problem-Solving: The company culture encourages working together across disciplines and organizational boundaries to tackle complex challenges.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: There is a stated commitment to developing engineering technology and refining processes to enhance efficiency and project quality.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's global scale and long history suggest a professional and structured work environment. The emphasis on "improving quality of life" and "sustainable solutions" points to a corporate mission that influences project selection and operational ethos. The specific mention of "Water Optimisation team" and "AMP8 programmes" indicates a strategic focus on a key market segment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a senior management level within operations, specifically focusing on design management for large-scale infrastructure projects. It involves significant responsibility for project delivery, team leadership, and client engagement. Reporting Structure: The Design Manager reports to Framework or Technical Directors, indicating a clear line of management. They, in turn, will manage and lead multi-disciplinary design teams, forming a crucial link between senior leadership and project execution teams. Operations Impact: The Design Manager directly influences project success by ensuring the technical quality, efficiency, and profitability of design deliverables. Their leadership impacts client satisfaction, the development of team members, and Arcadis' reputation in the water sector.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Leadership Progression: A clear pathway exists towards roles such as Technical Director, Framework Director, or broader management positions within Arcadis' Water sector.
• Specialization Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of water and wastewater engineering or advanced design management methodologies.
• Business Development: Potential to contribute to business development activities, client relationship management, and securing new projects, especially within the AMP8 framework.
• Mentorship and Training: Role involves team leadership, providing opportunities to mentor junior engineers and contribute to the development of Arcadis' talent pipeline.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as a key step towards senior management, offering substantial growth in project leadership, client management, and potentially commercial responsibilities within a major consultancy. The emphasis on developing teams and fostering innovation provides avenues for leadership growth beyond traditional project management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Arcadis operates modern office environments designed to foster collaboration and innovation. The Manchester office will likely be equipped with advanced technology to support design and project management activities. Office Location(s): The role is based in Manchester, a major city in the UK with excellent transport links, making it accessible for employees and clients. Arcadis has multiple offices across the UK, suggesting potential for interaction with teams in other locations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect a mix of open-plan working areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated project spaces designed to encourage interaction and knowledge sharing among multi-disciplinary teams.
• Technology-Enabled: Access to high-performance computing, advanced design software, and digital collaboration tools will be standard to support complex engineering tasks.
• Team Interaction: The role requires significant interaction with project teams, client representatives, and internal stakeholders, necessitating effective communication and interpersonal skills within the workspace.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week is the baseline, but the dynamic nature of managing complex projects, especially within national programs like AMP8, may require flexibility and occasional extended hours to meet critical deadlines or client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: As an on-site role, the physical office environment and its collaborative features are crucial. The Manchester location places it within a hub of engineering activity, facilitating access to talent and project opportunities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and application to assess qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's core requirements. Be prepared to highlight specific water industry projects and design management achievements.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your experience in design management, project leadership, client relations, and team management within the water sector. Expect questions about your approach to complex projects and challenging situations.
• Technical/Team Interview: This stage may involve technical discussions with senior engineers or directors, potentially including a case study or problem-solving exercise related to water/wastewater design challenges. Assess your ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams and manage project risks.
• Cultural Fit Assessment: Evaluation of your alignment with Arcadis' values, including collaboration, innovation, safety, and commitment to sustainability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Project Impact: Select 2-3 key water/wastewater projects that demonstrate your design management leadership, complexity, and successful outcomes. Quantify achievements wherever possible (e.g., project value, efficiency gains, client satisfaction improvements).
• Showcase Process Management: Detail your methodologies for coordinating multi-disciplinary teams, managing design lifecycles, and implementing continuous improvement in design processes. Use diagrams or flowcharts if appropriate.
• Demonstrate Leadership & Client Skills: Provide concrete examples of how you have built and managed teams, mentored individuals, resolved conflicts, and managed senior-level client relationships.
• Focus on Commercial Acumen: Be ready to discuss your experience in managing project budgets, contracts, and commercial aspects to ensure profitable delivery.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions that present hypothetical project scenarios (e.g., dealing with design changes, managing underperforming team members, resolving client disputes) and ask how you would respond.
• Technical & Operational Scenarios: Anticipate questions about managing technical risks, ensuring quality and safety standards, and implementing innovative design solutions in water/wastewater projects.
• Leadership & Team Management: Practice articulating your leadership philosophy, how you motivate teams, and your approach to performance management and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be multi-stage, focusing on technical expertise, operational leadership, and cultural fit. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates your role, responsibilities, and achievements in design management for water projects is crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD Software: Proficiency with standard CAD platforms (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D) is expected for understanding design outputs.
• BIM Software: Experience with Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools (e.g., Revit, Navisworks) is increasingly important for collaborative design and project management in infrastructure.
• Project Management Software: Familiarity with project management platforms such as Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or similar for scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.
• Collaboration Platforms: Experience with tools like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or similar for team communication, document sharing, and workflow management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: While not directly a data analyst role, an understanding of how data is used for performance monitoring and decision-making is beneficial. Familiarity with Excel for data manipulation and reporting is essential.
• Reporting Tools: Experience with generating project status reports, commercial summaries, and team performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Understanding of CRM principles for managing client relationships, though direct use may vary.
• Automation Concepts: While not explicit, an appreciation for how automation can streamline design processes or project management workflows would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a Design Manager to oversee and coordinate design activities, implying a need for familiarity with the tools used by design teams, particularly CAD and BIM. Proficiency in project management software is essential for operational control.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in all dealings with clients, teams, and stakeholders.
• Client Focus: Prioritizing client needs and delivering exceptional service to build lasting relationships.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams and individuals to achieve shared goals and leverage collective expertise.
• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas, creative problem-solving, and the adoption of advanced technologies to improve outcomes.
• Sustainability: Commitment to delivering solutions that benefit society and the environment, aligning with Arcadis' global mission.
• Excellence: Striving for high quality in all aspects of work, from technical design to project delivery and team management.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively facilitating communication and cooperation between different engineering disciplines, project management, and commercial functions.
• Feedback-Driven Improvement: Fostering an environment where constructive feedback is shared and used to refine processes and individual performance.
• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting the exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and technical expertise across teams and projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Arcadis' stated values are central to its operations. Candidates are expected to embody these values, particularly in their leadership approach, team interactions, and project execution. The emphasis on collaboration and innovation is key to success in this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Complex Projects: Successfully delivering large-scale, multi-disciplinary water and wastewater projects within tight deadlines and budget constraints.
• Stakeholder Management: Navigating diverse stakeholder expectations, ensuring effective communication and alignment across clients, internal teams, and supply chain partners.
• Team Development: Building and maintaining high-performing teams, addressing performance issues, and ensuring continuous skill development in a rapidly evolving technical landscape.
• Innovation Adoption: Driving the adoption of new technologies and innovative design methodologies within traditional engineering processes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Project & Program Management: Opportunities to lead increasingly complex and significant projects, enhancing strategic and operational management skills.
• Technical Specialization: Deepen knowledge in specific water/wastewater technologies or design approaches through project involvement and professional development programs.
• Leadership Training: Access to Arcadis' leadership development programs, focusing on strategic thinking, team motivation, and executive presence.
• Industry Engagement: Participating in industry forums, conferences, and professional bodies to stay abreast of trends and network with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to senior roles in large infrastructure projects. The growth opportunities are well-defined, offering clear career progression within a global consultancy.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operations Strategy: "Describe your approach to managing the design lifecycle for a complex water treatment plant project. How do you ensure technical integrity and optimize for efficiency?" (Focus on process, coordination, risk management).
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Tell me about a time you had to manage conflicting priorities between design teams and client requirements. How did you achieve a resolution?" (Highlight communication, negotiation, and client relationship skills).
• Problem-Solving: "Imagine a critical design element for a wastewater project is found to be non-compliant late in the process. What steps would you take as Design Manager?" (Demonstrate structured problem-solving, impact assessment, and corrective action planning).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Vision: "How do you see your role contributing to Arcadis' mission of delivering sustainable solutions and improving quality of life?" (Align your experience with Arcadis' values and purpose).
• Team Dynamics: "Describe your leadership style and how you foster a collaborative and high-performing environment within your teams." (Provide examples of team building, motivation, and conflict resolution).
• Impact Measurement: "How have you measured the success of your design management efforts in previous roles, beyond just project completion?" (Discuss metrics related to quality, efficiency, client satisfaction, team development, and profitability).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• STAR Method: Structure your project examples using the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) method to clearly articulate your contributions and the outcomes.
• Quantify Achievements: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., cost savings, schedule improvements, error reduction).
• Visual Aids: If presenting a formal portfolio, use clear visuals (diagrams, charts) to illustrate complex processes or project scopes.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key aspects of your portfolio concisely, focusing on relevance to the Design Manager role in the water sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only technical competence but also strong leadership, commercial awareness, and alignment with Arcadis' operational values. Preparing specific examples using the STAR method will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud portal link.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your CV and any supplementary materials to highlight your most relevant experience in water/wastewater design management, project leadership, and client engagement. Emphasize projects of similar scale and complexity to those managed by Arcadis.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your achievements using action verbs and quantifiable results. Integrate keywords from the job description such as "Design Management," "Water Engineering," "Project Management," and "Client Relationship Management."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method and prepare specific examples that showcase your leadership, problem-solving, and commercial acumen in engineering design contexts. Research Arcadis' recent projects and values.
• Company Research: Thoroughly review the Arcadis website, focusing on their Water sector capabilities, sustainability initiatives, and company culture to demonstrate your understanding and alignment during the interview process.

⚠️ 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.