Overall Purpose of the Role:
At Aptus Utilities, we’re looking for an experienced Design Manager to lead our Design team and deliver high-quality utility designs for residential and commercial developments across the UK.
Reporting to the Head of Design & Estimation, you’ll manage Designers and CAD Technicians, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards. Working closely with key internal teams and utility partners, you’ll support the successful delivery of projects from tender through to construction while driving continuous improvement across the department.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop your leadership career with one of the UK’s leading independent multi-utility providers.
What you will be doing:
- Lead, motivate and develop a multidisciplinary Design Team, including apprentices and trainees.
- Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews and personal development discussions.
- Manage workloads, resources and contract allocation to the appropriate designers and estimators, ensuring efficient project delivery.
- Promote a positive, collaborative and high-performance culture.
- Ensure all utility designs are technically compliant, buildable and delivered to agreed quality standards.
- Manage the delivery of all live contracts and redesigns until formal handover to the Operations Team.
- Monitor design progress, identify delivery risks and implement solutions to maintain programme commitments.
- Oversee design handover meetings, ensuring all required documentation is complete, accurate and are presented consistently
- Manage CAD production activities and ensure accurate record drawings and As-Laid information are produced.
- Build strong relationships with clients, DNOs, IDNOs, NAVs and other statutory undertakers.
- Attend client meetings to provide design updates and manage expectations.
- Work closely with Operational Managers to resolve design challenges and improve project delivery.
- Support the Estimation Team during tender review and priority planning meetings.
- Support the Head of Design & Estimation in developing departmental KPIs and performance reporting.
- Monitor individual and team performance against agreed objectives.
- Ensure all design trackers, legal logs and departmental reports remain accurate and up to date.
- Identify opportunities to improve design processes, quality and efficiency.
What we ask from you:
- Previous experience managing utility design teams.
- Good knowledge of multi-utility design, including Gas, Electric and Water networks.
- Experience working with DNOs, IDNOs, NAVs and statutory undertakers.
- Strong organisational and resource planning skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
- A collaborative leadership style with the ability to motivate and develop others.
- Commercial awareness and an understanding of project delivery within the utilities sector.
What we can offer in return:
- Opportunities for career progression and professional development.
- A supportive and collaborative leadership team.
- The opportunity to influence departmental improvements and business performance.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Benefits include cashback plans including eye-care, dental & prescriptions, to name just a few….. please click on our benefits brochure to view further details
- Gym, fitness and retail discounts
- Donate a Day – we will gift you an extra day off each year to do something for charity or within the community
- We promote physical and mental health and provide additional support to our employees via our Employer Assistance Program all year round
Job Type: Full time, Permanent Position
Location: Aptus House, Unit 19-20, Barrs Fold Road, Wingates Industrial Estate, Bolton, BL5 3XP
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free flu jabs
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
