The Design Manager will plan, develop, manage, coordinate and resource the annual programmes of projects and services to be delivered on time and to budget.

The manager will lead the teams of professional staff to work in partnership with a range of other key internal and external stakeholders to deliver the Highway Improvements Design service.

• To lead your team in planning and resourcing the annual programme of works and in meeting performance reporting and delivery deadlines.
• To support your team leaders in line managing staff, developing talent within the Highways Improvements Design team to deliver an excellent, accurate and efficient service
• Create and reinforce a strong customer focussed, responsive and flexible culture
• Responsible for the appropriate application of technical design standards, processes and regulations, ensuring the accuracy and quality of technical outputs of the team, with accountability for checking and authorising the issue of technical reports and drawings.
• Promote Health and Safety, Environmental Management System, Quality Management System and Construction Design Management
• Ensure strong budgetary control and financial management is undertaken
• As part of the Design Services leadership team, assist the Head of Design Services in preparing and delivering the annual Service Plan and in meeting KPIs. Deputise for head of Design Services as required.
• Responsible for ensuring carbon reduction and PAS2080 guidance is followed in design processes

Skills

• Experience of successfully managing highway design improvements and implementation including statutory processes involved with these activities (essential)
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, design standards, type approvals and local government procedures including The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works, Chapter 8, Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (essential)
• Financial management of processes including forward planning of programmes of work, budget accounting and monitoring of expenditure (essential)
• Management of staff including performance management (essential)
• Preparation of content for annual service plans (desirable)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, interpersonal and listening skills (essential).
• Understanding of the structure of local government, the role of elected members and current issues facing local government plus experience of advising elected member or directors and influencing local decision makers and other stakeholders (desirable)

Qualifications:

• Degree level of equivalent high-level qualification in related subject or proven experience in highways design and implementation (essential).
• Post graduate qualification in related subject or management or equivalent professional experience in highways design and implementation (essential).
• Membership of professional institution (desirable).
• Evidence of relevant continuous professional development (desirable).