Design Manager (Roads)

WSP are seeking an enthusiastic and Design Manager with extensive postgraduate  experience in the management and delivery of a range of highway schemes, from complex, multi-disciplinary Design & Build schemes to smaller safety improvement and maintenance schemes. The role is within our high performing team based in our Bristol Office, to work with colleagues in our South West & Wales region. If you are looking for a challenge and professional development within our talented team, then we would love to hear from you.

Typical projects delivered by our team include

• Major infrastructure with utilities and third‑party interfaces
• Highway improvement and widening schemes
• Safety improvement schemes
• Junction and corridor upgrades
• Bridges and structures over/under highways or rail
• Active travel and public realm schemes

Role Details:

• Drive clear communication across internal teams and external stakeholders, chairing design team meetings and ensuring actions are completed.
• Identifying and managing design risks.
• Support co-ordination and resolution of technical queries in context of cost and programme and proactively manage change control though clear understanding of scope and design responsibility.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards and legislation, including:
  • DMRB, MCHW, TSRGD, Manual for Streets
  • British Standards and Eurocodes
  • CDM Regulations 2015
  • Environmental and planning conditions
• Coordinate design reviews, clash detection, value engineering, and independent checks (e.g. CAT 2 / CAT 3 where required).
• Ensure designs are suitable for construction, maintenance, and operation.
• Strengthen project management processes, manage RFIs, technical transmittals and change control, and proactively mitigate risks and delays.
• Review design information, quotations, and technical documentation to ensure alignment with scope, budget, and client expectations.
• Maintain accurate project records, update delivery programmes, and promote efficiency, innovation, and buildability across all design stages.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• Degree in Civil Engineering or a relevant discipline.
• Chartered Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities
• Significant experience in managing and leading multi‑disciplinary design teams to deliver high quality solutions on time and to budget.
• Proven ability to apply the principles of the CDM Regulations to projects to achieve safety during construction, operation and maintenance. Ensuring residual risks are captured, managed and communicated throughout the project lifecycle.
• Experience of D&B or similar contractual arrangements.
• Familiarity with NEC form of contract.
• Thorough understanding of the DMRB, MCHW, familiarity with TSRGD and Manual for Streets would also be beneficial.
• Experience with major UK clients in a design consultancy environment.
• Ability to develop and manage customer and stakeholder relationships, through effective listening and influencing skills.
• Naturally curious, solution focussed and responsive to client problems.

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.

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