Senior Design Manager - Water

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Design Manager - Water (AMP8)

Company: GHD Group Pty Ltd

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Engineering & Design Management (Water Infrastructure)

Date Posted: 2026-07-30T09:18:45

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and shape major water and wastewater programmes within the UK's AMP8 investment period, focusing on technical excellence and strategic delivery.

• Drive multidisciplinary design teams from initial optioneering and outline design through to detailed design and comprehensive construction support.

• Oversee and manage critical project elements including design risk, technical interfaces, assumptions, decision-making, reviews, and assurance activities to ensure robust project governance.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with clients, contractors, framework partners, and supply chain specialists to achieve project objectives.

• Champion the adoption of innovative, simpler, and more sustainable solutions by challenging traditional delivery approaches within the water sector.

• Contribute to business growth through work winning, framework expansion, client engagement, and early project shaping initiatives.

• Mentor and develop Design Managers, coordinators, and discipline leads to enhance the overall capability and strength of the design management team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a leadership discipline rather than an administrative function, emphasizing influence and strategic impact within GHD's water sector operations, particularly concerning AMP8 initiatives. The focus is on shaping programs and leading people, not just tracking progress.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary design teams (civil, structural, process, mechanical, electrical, control, digital, environmental) on significant AMP8 water and wastewater projects.

• Oversee the entire design lifecycle, from conceptualization and optioneering through outline and detailed design, to providing critical support during the construction phase.

• Proactively manage design risks, identify and resolve technical interface challenges, and ensure robust decision-making processes and design assurance.

• Cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, contractors, framework partners, and supply chain specialists.

• Drive innovation by challenging established delivery methods and promoting the identification and implementation of smarter, more sustainable design and construction solutions.

• Actively participate in business development activities, including supporting work winning efforts, framework growth strategies, and client engagement.

• Develop and mentor junior design managers, coordinators, and discipline leads, fostering a culture of continuous learning and team development.

• Ensure that projects deliver on quality, safety, constructability, sustainability, and commercial objectives without compromising delivery pace.

• Effectively manage project change, ensuring that changes are identified, assessed, and implemented in a controlled manner.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive approach to design leadership, emphasizing innovation, stakeholder management, and team development, which are critical for success in large-scale infrastructure programs like AMP8. The role requires a blend of technical oversight and strategic influence.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While formal Chartered or Incorporated status is welcome, GHD is open to considering equivalent experience where candidates demonstrate strong leadership, technical judgement, and design governance capability. A degree in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g., Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Process, Environmental) is highly beneficial.

Experience: A minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience is expected, with a significant portion focused on leading multidisciplinary design teams in complex project environments. Experience within the water sector is valuable, but transferable experience from adjacent infrastructure, utilities, energy, rail, treatment plants, or major capital project environments will also be considered.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary design teams in water, infrastructure, utilities, or major capital programs.

• Deep understanding of managing technical interfaces between various engineering disciplines, clients, contractors, and delivery partners.

• Ability to balance technical quality, commercial awareness, programme pressure, and constructability requirements.

• Strong proficiency in design governance, risk management, change control processes, design reviews, and technical assurance activities.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior clients, technical specialists, and project teams.

• Demonstrated commitment to people development and building resilient, high-performing teams.

• Ability to remain calm under pressure and translate uncertainty into practical, actionable plans.

• Experience with optioneering and outline design stages of major projects.

• Understanding of construction support requirements for design teams. Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience within the UK water sector and familiarity with AMP (Asset Management Period) frameworks, specifically AMP8.

• Experience with design and build projects, particularly with Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors.

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

• Experience in developing and implementing innovative delivery approaches.

• Evidence of mentoring Design Managers, coordinators, or discipline leads.

• Familiarity with digital engineering tools and processes relevant to infrastructure design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Candidate diversity and background flexibility" suggests GHD is actively seeking candidates with varied career paths, valuing proven leadership and decision-making abilities over strict adherence to a traditional consultancy background. This broadens the pool of potential candidates beyond typical engineering routes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of Design Leadership: Showcase instances where you led multidisciplinary teams through complex design challenges, demonstrating your ability to integrate diverse engineering inputs into cohesive project plans.

• Process Optimization Examples: Provide examples of how you identified and implemented process improvements within design workflows to enhance efficiency, reduce risk, or improve quality. Quantify the impact where possible.

• System Implementation & Integration: Detail your experience in managing technical interfaces and ensuring seamless integration of design outputs across various systems and disciplines.

• ROI Demonstration: If possible, include examples where your design management approach contributed to cost savings, improved commercial performance, or enhanced project value.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate your ability to design, document, and optimize end-to-end design workflows, from initial concept to construction handover. This includes outlining methodologies for managing design stages, reviews, and approvals.

• Implementation & Automation: Illustrate how you have supported or driven the implementation of new design processes, tools, or automation techniques to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Provide examples of how you have established metrics and conducted performance analysis for design processes, using data to identify areas for improvement and track progress against objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on "shaping programmes" and "leading people, influencing decisions," a portfolio should strongly feature examples of strategic decision-making, stakeholder influence, and team development, complementing technical design management achievements. The focus is on leadership and strategic impact, not just transactional project management.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Design Manager roles in London with 10+ years of experience, particularly within the infrastructure and water sectors, a competitive salary range of £75,000 - £100,000 per annum is estimated. This range accounts for the seniority, specialized expertise required, and the high cost of living in London.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus schemes.

• Comprehensive private medical insurance and health and wellbeing programs.

• Generous pension scheme with employer contributions.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and further education.

• Paid time off for volunteering and community engagement.

• Access to GHD's global network of expertise and resources.

• Support for professional body memberships and chartership.

• Potential for flexible working arrangements, though the role is primarily on-site.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday. However, given the senior nature of the role and the demands of major project delivery, flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines and client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for similar senior engineering management positions in London. A detailed benefits package is assumed, typical for established engineering consultancies like GHD, focusing on professional growth, health, and long-term financial security.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: GHD operates globally within the engineering, architecture, environmental, and construction services sector, with a significant focus on water infrastructure. This specific role is within their UK operations, contributing to the critical AMP8 investment cycle for the UK water industry. The market context involves substantial investment in upgrading and expanding water and wastewater networks to meet regulatory requirements, population growth, and climate change challenges.

Company Size: GHD is a large, global professional services company, employing over 10,000 people worldwide. This size offers significant resources, diverse project opportunities, and a broad professional network, while also implying established processes and a structured corporate environment.

Founded: GHD was founded in 1928. This long history signifies stability, extensive experience, and a deep understanding of the engineering and construction landscape, providing a solid foundation for ambitious projects.

Team Structure:

• The role is situated within the UK Water business unit, likely reporting into a senior leadership position such as a Director or Head of Design Management.

• The Senior Design Manager will lead a team of Design Managers, Design Coordinators, and discipline-specific technical leads across various engineering functions.

• Collaboration will be extensive, involving close partnerships with project managers, commercial teams, client representatives, contractors, and other GHD service lines (e.g., environmental, digital solutions). Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: GHD emphasizes a data-driven approach to problem-solving and decision-making, utilizing performance data, risk assessments, and technical analysis to inform design and delivery strategies.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The company focuses on establishing efficient and robust design processes, continuously seeking opportunities to optimize workflows, enhance collaboration, and improve project outcomes.

• Automation & Efficiency: GHD invests in digital technologies and automation to streamline operations, improve accuracy, and enhance the overall efficiency of its service delivery.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: GHD's emphasis on "shaping programmes" and treating design management as a "leadership discipline" suggests a culture that values strategic thinking, proactive problem-solving, and empowering its senior staff to influence project direction and team performance.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior-level management position within the operations and technical delivery arm of GHD's Water business. It signifies a move beyond individual technical contribution to leading significant project components and managing teams of professionals. The role requires a blend of technical acumen, project governance expertise, and people leadership.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Design Manager will typically report to a Director or Operations Lead responsible for a portfolio of AMP8 projects or a specific framework. They will, in turn, manage and mentor a team comprising Design Managers, Design Coordinators, and discipline leads. This structure emphasizes a clear hierarchy for accountability and a focus on cascading leadership.

Operations Impact: The Senior Design Manager's impact is crucial for the successful delivery of GHD's AMP8 water and wastewater projects. They are instrumental in ensuring that designs are technically sound, constructible, sustainable, and commercially viable, directly influencing project timelines, budgets, client satisfaction, and GHD's reputation in the UK water sector. Their leadership directly affects the quality and efficiency of project execution.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress into more senior leadership roles, such as Programme Director, Operations Director, or Head of Design Management for specific frameworks or regions within GHD.

• Specialization & Expertise: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of water infrastructure design, project governance, or innovative delivery methods, becoming a recognized subject matter expert.

• Mentorship & Community Building: Play a key role in shaping GHD's design management community, developing talent, and influencing best practices across the organization.

• Broader Project Scope: Take on responsibility for larger, more complex, or strategically important projects and frameworks within GHD's portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned for individuals who aspire to leadership and strategic influence within the infrastructure sector. Growth opportunities are geared towards expanding responsibility, developing specialized expertise, and contributing to the strategic direction of GHD's operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in GHD's London office, which is described as a modern, professional workspace. The emphasis is on a collaborative environment where teams can work together effectively, supported by necessary facilities and technology.

Office Location(s): The specific address provided is Floor 10, 25 Farringdon Street, London, EC4A 4AB. This central London location is well-connected by public transport, making it accessible for employees commuting from various parts of the city and surrounding areas.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office is designed to foster teamwork and interaction, crucial for a role that requires leading multidisciplinary teams and engaging with various stakeholders. Expect shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and informal collaboration zones.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to GHD's standard suite of design, project management, and communication tools. This includes access to relevant design software, collaboration platforms, and IT infrastructure necessary for managing complex engineering projects.

• Team Interaction: The on-site nature of the role ensures ample opportunities for face-to-face interaction with colleagues, project teams, and potentially clients, facilitating quick communication, problem-solving, and team cohesion.

Work Schedule: The role operates on a standard 40-hour work week, typically Monday to Friday. However, the demands of managing major infrastructure projects, especially within the dynamic AMP8 framework, may necessitate flexibility and occasional extended hours or weekend work to meet critical deadlines and project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" work arrangement implies a strong preference for in-person collaboration, essential for fostering team cohesion and managing complex, fast-paced projects. The specific location in London offers excellent connectivity for daily commutes.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and cover letter to assess alignment with the core requirements and experience level.

• First Interview: Typically with a hiring manager or senior member of the water team. This will focus on your experience in design management, leadership, and understanding of the water sector/AMP8. Be prepared to discuss your approach to managing teams, risks, and interfaces.

• Technical/Case Study Interview: This stage may involve a more detailed discussion of your technical judgement, problem-solving skills, and experience with design governance. You might be asked to walk through a specific project from your portfolio or discuss how you would approach a hypothetical complex scenario.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior director or executive, focusing on strategic fit, cultural alignment, leadership philosophy, and long-term career aspirations within GHD.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Leadership Impact: Highlight instances where your leadership directly influenced project outcomes, team performance, or the successful resolution of complex challenges.

• Process Improvement Case Studies: Select 2-3 compelling examples that clearly illustrate your ability to optimize design processes, manage risks, and ensure quality. Structure these with a clear problem statement, your actions, and quantifiable results (e.g., time saved, risk reduced, cost improved).

• Metrics and ROI: Be prepared to discuss the metrics you have used to track design progress and performance. If possible, demonstrate how your management approach contributed to positive commercial outcomes or ROI for projects.

• Company-Specific Considerations: Research GHD's current AMP8 projects and strategic priorities. Tailor your portfolio presentation to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with their specific needs and challenges. Show how you can contribute to their goal of shaping programmes and building strong teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Anticipate questions about managing difficult stakeholders, resolving inter-disciplinary conflicts, handling scope changes, or ensuring technical assurance in a fast-paced environment.

• Process-Oriented Responses: Frame your answers around established processes and methodologies, demonstrating your understanding of structured project governance and risk management.

• Stakeholder Communication: Practice articulating complex technical and project management concepts clearly and concisely to diverse audiences, from technical specialists to senior client representatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "shaping programmes" and "leading people" means your portfolio and interview responses should clearly articulate your strategic thinking, decision-making authority, and ability to influence outcomes beyond just managing tasks. Demonstrate a capacity for proactive leadership and team enablement.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency with industry-standard project management platforms (e.g., MS Project, Primavera P6) for planning, scheduling, and tracking progress.

• Collaboration Platforms: Experience with tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for team communication, document sharing, and real-time collaboration.

• Design Authoring Tools: Familiarity with the output and requirements of major design software used in the water sector, such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, Bentley Systems products (e.g., OpenBuildings Designer, OpenFlows), and potentially 3D modeling/BIM platforms. While not necessarily an expert user, understanding their application and integration is key.

• Document Management Systems: Experience with platforms like SharePoint, Aconex, or similar for managing project documentation and version control.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Reporting Dashboards: Ability to interpret and contribute to performance dashboards, potentially using tools like Power BI, Tableau, or GHD's internal reporting systems, to monitor design progress, risks, and KPIs.

• Data Analysis Tools: Familiarity with Excel for data analysis and reporting; knowledge of more advanced tools for data manipulation and visualization may be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not directly a CRM management role, understanding how design inputs feed into commercial and client relationship management systems can be advantageous.

• Workflow Automation: Awareness of and potential experience with automating repetitive tasks within design workflows, or understanding how to leverage digital tools for efficiency gains.

• Integration & Data Flow: Understanding how different software and systems (e.g., BIM, GIS, project management) integrate and how data flows between them is crucial for managing technical interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong understanding of how various technical and project management tools are utilized in large-scale infrastructure projects. While hands-on expertise in every tool isn't expected, a strategic appreciation for their application, integration, and contribution to efficient design delivery is vital.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Innovation: A commitment to delivering high-quality engineering solutions while continuously seeking smarter, more sustainable, and innovative approaches to design and project delivery.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong belief in the power of multidisciplinary teams, encouraging open communication, mutual respect, and shared accountability to achieve common goals.

• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding the highest ethical standards, taking ownership of decisions and outcomes, and fostering an environment of trust and transparency.

• Client Focus: Dedication to understanding and meeting client needs, building strong relationships, and delivering exceptional value that contributes to their success.

• Safety & Sustainability: Prioritizing the health and safety of all individuals involved in projects and embedding sustainable practices throughout the design and delivery lifecycle.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively promotes collaboration across engineering disciplines, project management, commercial teams, and external partners to ensure a holistic approach to project delivery.

• Process Review & Feedback: Fosters a culture where design processes are regularly reviewed, and constructive feedback is encouraged to drive continuous improvement and learning.

• Knowledge Sharing: Supports initiatives for sharing best practices, lessons learned, and technical expertise across teams and projects, building a collective knowledge base within GHD.

📝 Enhancement Note: GHD's values likely align with a professional engineering consultancy's ethos: technical rigor, client service, and a commitment to sustainable development. The emphasis on "shaping programmes" and "building teams" suggests a culture that empowers leaders and values personal development.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Complexity at Pace: The AMP8 programme involves large-scale, complex projects delivered under significant time and commercial pressures. Balancing these demands while maintaining design quality and fostering team cohesion will be a key challenge.

• Interdisciplinary Coordination: Effectively integrating the outputs and requirements of diverse engineering disciplines (civil, structural, process, mechanical, electrical, digital, environmental) into a unified design solution requires strong coordination and communication skills.

• Balancing Innovation with Governance: Introducing new technologies or delivery methods while adhering to strict regulatory requirements, client standards, and internal governance procedures can be challenging.

• Talent Development & Retention: Attracting, developing, and retaining skilled design management professionals within a competitive market, especially to build out GHD's AMP8 capability.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in strategic design management, programme leadership, and advanced project governance techniques relevant to the UK water sector.

• Industry Exposure: Gain in-depth knowledge of the AMP8 framework, regulatory landscape, and emerging trends in water infrastructure delivery through direct project involvement.

• Leadership Development: Access GHD's internal leadership development programs, mentorship opportunities, and potential for formal training in areas such as strategic planning, financial management, and organizational leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to large-scale infrastructure delivery. The growth opportunities are framed around expanding leadership capabilities and deepening specialized expertise within a critical sector, aligning with GHD's stated desire for individuals who want to shape the future of water infrastructure.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a multidisciplinary design team through a complex project. What were the key challenges, how did you manage interfaces, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your leadership, problem-solving, and team integration skills).

• "How do you approach design governance and risk management on major infrastructure projects? Provide specific examples of processes you have implemented or improved." (Demonstrate your understanding of project controls and assurance).

• "Imagine a scenario where there's a significant conflict between technical requirements and commercial constraints on a project. How would you navigate this situation to find a balanced solution?" (Showcase your decision-making, negotiation, and commercial awareness). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about GHD's role in AMP8 and our approach to design management?" (Research GHD's website, recent news, and specifically their water sector capabilities and AMP8 involvement).

• "How do you foster a collaborative team environment, especially when dealing with diverse disciplines and potentially remote team members?" (Align your answer with GHD's values of teamwork and collaboration).

• "How do you ensure that sustainability and innovation are integrated into design processes, not just as an afterthought?" (Connect your experience with GHD's commitment to these areas). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for each key project. Clearly define the problem, your role and actions, and the tangible outcomes.

• Quantify Your Impact: Wherever possible, use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your management and process improvements (e.g., reduced design delivery time by X%, mitigated Y risks, improved constructability by Z%).

• Focus on Leadership & Influence: Emphasize your strategic decision-making, stakeholder management, and ability to influence project direction, not just task execution.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Showcase how you've adapted to changing project requirements, client needs, or unforeseen challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you empower teams. GHD is looking for someone who can "shape programmes" and "build teams," so your interview responses should reflect strategic thinking, proactive problem-solving, and a genuine interest in developing talent.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Design Manager - Water position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Prepare a concise portfolio (or select specific case studies) that highlights your experience in leading multidisciplinary design teams on large-scale infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on process optimization, risk management, and successful project outcomes. Tailor examples to showcase your understanding of water sector challenges.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly details your experience in design management, team leadership, and project governance, using keywords from the job description (e.g., AMP8, multidisciplinary, design governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement). Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method, especially for behavioural and situational questions. Be ready to discuss your leadership style, approach to complex problem-solving, and your vision for design management in the water sector.

• Company Research: Gain a thorough understanding of GHD's work in the UK water sector, their involvement in AMP8, and their company values. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and aspirations align with GHD's strategic goals and culture.

⚠️ 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.