Design Manager

Location/s: Birmingham, London, Cardiff, Bristol; UK
Recruiter contact: Alice Roostan

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit 
We help conceive, drive, and implement transport solutions for cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the globe. From preparing the business case and advising on related issues - such as revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation - to delivering the completed infrastructure and helping maintain it. Our planning, engineering, environmental and management skills cover the whole project cycle. We play a major role in developing and delivering the Global Transport Sector Strategy.

Overview of the role

Are you a Design Manager or experience engineer seeking to begin a career in Design Management, ready to take your career to new heights? Do you want to lead the development and delivery of complex, high-profile infrastructure projects that keep the world connected? Join our Gateway Infrastructure team within our Aviation & Ports Division as a Design Manager and help shape the future of some of the UK's (and International) most critical transport hubs.

From major airport expansions and airfield infrastructure upgrades to innovative port developments and maritime facilities, you'll lead multidisciplinary design teams delivering challenging projects that leave a lasting legacy. You'll be part of a collaborative environment where your leadership is valued, your expertise influences strategic decisions, and your ability to coordinate teams drives successful project outcomes.

Join our Gateway Infrastructure team and contribute to the delivery of industry-leading infrastructure projects across the UK and internationally. As a Design Manager, you will play a pivotal role in leading and coordinating multidisciplinary design teams across a diverse portfolio of aviation, ports and associated infrastructure projects.

You will be responsible for managing the design process from concept development through to detailed design and construction support, ensuring technical excellence, programme certainty, and effective stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle. Working closely with clients, contractors, project managers, and technical specialists, you will help deliver innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency, improve passenger and freight movements, and support the transition to more sustainable transport networks.

Whether supporting strategic masterplanning initiatives, managing complex design packages, or leading design assurance and governance processes, you will be at the forefront of shaping the future of aviation and maritime infrastructure.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Lead and manage the multidisciplinary design process across aviation, ports, and infrastructure projects
• Coordinate design teams to ensure delivery against scope, programme, budget, and quality objectives
• Act as the primary design interface between clients, contractors, project managers, and technical specialists
• Manage design reviews, approvals, assurance processes, and stakeholder engagement activities
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards, regulations, client requirements, and governance procedures
• Identify, manage, and mitigate design risks and opportunities throughout project delivery
• Support business development activities, bids, and client relationship management
• Promote innovation, digital delivery, and sustainable design practices across projects

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in delivering some of the UK's most significant aviation and maritime infrastructure projects while helping to grow and shape our Gateway Infrastructure capability.

Candidate specification

We are looking for a motivated and experienced individual, enthusiastic about Design Manager who is passionate about infrastructure delivery and thrives in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. This is an opportunity to lead high-profile projects, develop strong client relationships, and contribute to the continued growth of our Gateway Infrastructure business.

Requirements:

• Degree qualified in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or a related discipline
• Professional membership with a relevant institution and working towards or holding Chartered status
• Significant experience leading and managing multidisciplinary design teams aviation, ports, transportation, infrastructure, or related sectors (experience within aviation and ports sectors is beneficial but not essential)
• Strong understanding of design management principles, project delivery methodologies, and design assurance processes
• Experience managing stakeholder interfaces, coordinating technical disciplines, and driving successful project outcomes
• Good understanding of design risk management, programme management, and quality management processes

We  are looking for candidates with the following strengths:

•  Demonstrates strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire and coordinate multidisciplinary teams
• Builds trusted relationships with clients, stakeholders, contractors, and project teams
• Communicates confidently and effectively at all levels, translating complex technical matters into clear project decisions
• Effectively manages competing priorities, programmes, budgets, and project risks
• Champions collaboration, innovation, and best practice throughout the design process
• Drives quality, consistency, and continuous improvement across project delivery
• Proactively identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance project outcomes, and deliver sustainable solutions
• Maintains a strong focus on safety, constructability, operational requirements, and whole-life asset performance

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working  

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.