Principal Design Manager

Costain are working with Thames Water on a variety of water and wastewater projects and have fantastic opportunities for individuals to join our growing AMP8 delivery team, working predominantly across the Thames Valley and Thames South regions. There is a mix of projects ranging from smaller capital maintenance to large civil new build schemes. For the Costain Thames Water Framework we have an exciting opportunity for the Principal Design Manager to lead on design management for a number of high value, programme critical projects. For Costain design manager is the delivery of the right design from our internal or external and supplier designers in a mutually beneficial way to deliver the best solutions for our clients, whilst identifying and mitigating risks. It is a form of technical project management and the right design is that which is in line with programme and budget, delivers on our SHE objectives and is a key enabler for us to provide technology-led smart infrastructure solutions for our clients. The role of a principal design manager is fundamental in achieving this and is expected to manage the design across multiple projects or even multiple frameworks. A principal design manager is expected to be a leader in their field or area of expertise and may be required to provide insight and guidance to the wider business or sectors. At Costain, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need. #LI-BM1 As principal design manager, you will be responsible for a design management team which including design managers and other related disciplines at all levels, but may also be required to oversee and be accountable for other functions within frameworks. A principal design manager is expected to have capability in line managing people, but also exert influence over others not directly under their management. Principal design managers may also be required to influence other leaders, include senior leaders in Costain and our supply chain in matters related to design and design management. Key Responsibilities Establish collaborative working relationships with the client, design teams, construction staff and supply chain. Oversee all design and engineering related management on behalf of the Contract Leader (on your project). You may be expected to manage a business-to-business relationship with one of Costain’s external design partner organisations. Build strong interpersonal connections within the wider Costain Engineering functions. Set out our design and engineering needs for your project and check they are clearly defined and understood by the wider team. Be accountable for the robust appointment of the designers and the production and adherence to the Design Management Plan (DMP) and other controlling documents. Contribute to the update and development of Design Management processes in The Costain Way, and other engineering processes, though lessons learned. Develop a programme led design delivery culture on your project, with detailed integrated design programmes, short interval control methods and progress metrics as part of a weekly/monthly drumbeat. Ensure reporting on design progress and technical risks regularly. Establish an engineering delivery plan, with clearly defined outputs (deliverables) at each design stage (plan appropriate design stages and sub-design stages to control the design production) and define how design deliverables can be progressively checked and earned value measured. Hold the designers to account for delivering to this engineering delivery plan through reporting and contractual mechanisms. Implement sufficient processes so that the designs we received from our designers are quality controlled, technically assured and are of sufficient detail (required level of information and coordination) for the design stage and purpose. Ensure that the designs are contributing to improved project quality on our projects. Manage design change and influence our clients and projects teams to prevent unnecessary or disruptive design change. Systematically challenge the need for design change. Work with our commercial team to draft technically oriented correspondence (up and down stream). Ensure the designs are constructable, follow safe-by-design principles and active our sustainability goals, including reporting or carbon metrics etc as required. Embed the principles of Production Thinking / MMC into our design solutions. Provide judgment and advice, including bringing in wider Costain expertise as required, to create optimised solutions, and to meet the requirements of the project and achieve our commercial aims. Influence the project / frameworks procurement and construction teams so that they are engaged in the design development and options selection and have appropriate ownership of the designs. Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Essential: Significant post-graduate design, engineering or management experience in infrastructure or related industry with demonstrable track record of achievement Be an authority in multiple design and construction process models (e.g. plan of work) Practical approach, logical thought process and a methodical way of working A creative and innovative approach to problem-solving. Be a thought leader in the field of design and design management, with the ability to ‘horizon scan’ for new ideas or technologies that will influence our industry. Extensive experience of setting up and/or running design and assurance process on large projects or frameworks. Extensive experience of technical management being able to understand and review design deliverables and able to demonstrate the ability to collate information and prepare reports. Ability to understand technical concepts and detail across a range of disciplines (e.g. structural, mechanical and electrical engineering); this is not however likely to part of their daily workload. Extensive experience of drafting effective contractual correspondence and the facilitation of collaborative solutions Experience of developing & implementing procurement and contract strategies for design Negotiating and team-working skills with the ability to motivate and lead a team Strong analytical skills • Demonstrable legal, contractual and detailed construction knowledge Experience in implementing and delivering strategic objectives and dealing with change Confidence and ability to assert influence Desirable Extensive experience of setting up and/or operating EDMS and design workflows. Experience in leading wider engineering related aspects of projects, such as information management, quality or assurance disciplines. Competency to discharge the Principal Designer Role under the CDM regulations, on behalf of Costain Essential Bachelor’s degree / Engineering or management apprenticeship with industry experience Master’s / post graduate degree (preferred) Chartered member of professional institute (MICE/IMechE/MCIOB etc) Project Management training / skills Desirable Other secondary professional qualifications and training (e.g. MAPM, MCIarb, MICW etc) Experience of multiple infrastructure markets/sectors