Design Manager

    Overview

  • Location:
    London - Euston, United Kingdom

  • Contact type:
    Permanent

  • Job category:
    Projectwide Services

  • Salary:
    Competitive

  • Closing date:
    30.07.2026

  • Job reference:
    scsrail/TP/76/4225

Job introduction

Reporting to the Stage 4 Lead, you will be responsible for the Design Management of an HS2 asset on HS2 Lot S1 or Lot S2, ensuring the design is delivered to an acceptable standard of quality in-line with commercial and programme expectations.

 

Working with SCS’s design partners, you will plan the delivery for your design elements, defining the detailed scope and enforcing a progressive approach to technical assurance. You will manage day-to-day interactions with internal (e.g. Construction Teams, Logistics etc.) and external interfaces, with the customer and third-party stakeholders (e.g. Network Rail, London Underground, Thames Water etc.). You will ensure the production of the design deliverables by our design partners meets the correct quality, contract, safety, time and cost requirements. You will also work closely with the other design managers, to ensure coordination of design elements throughout the contract and to identify change.

 

Flexible working: We welcome you to ask about the flexibility you need. This might be part-time, remote working, or compressed hours for example. Anyone who applies for a role can ask about flexibility at interview. In return, we will explore what is possible for the role.

Role responsibility

Design Management & Delivery

  • Manage the delivery of design packages for assigned HS2 assets, ensuring compliance with project requirements, programme milestones and quality standards.
  • Develop and maintain detailed design delivery plans in collaboration with design partners and project stakeholders.
  • Ensure design outputs support construction sequencing, methodologies and assurance requirements.
  • Coordinate design activities to maintain alignment between engineering, construction and operational requirements.
  • Monitor design progress and take proactive action to mitigate programme and delivery risks.

Technical Assurance & Governance

  • Plan and coordinate technical assurance activities across all design disciplines.
  • Review design submissions and monitor the closure of comments, actions and technical queries.
  • Ensure all Requests for Information (RFIs) are tracked and responded to within agreed timescales.
  • Verify that all technical interfaces are identified, managed and formally closed.
  • Ensure route-wide and asset-specific design documentation is reviewed, approved and completed.
  • Confirm that all "Issued for Construction" (IFC) drawings are released and controlled appropriately.
  • Ensure BIM models are reviewed, coordinated and formally signed off.
  • Reviewing all Design SAPs and confirming that all comments and qualifications have been closed.

Risk, Safety & Compliance

  • Review and manage design risks, ensuring risks are closed, mitigated or formally transferred where appropriate.
  • Ensure design assumptions are validated and appropriately closed out.
  • Review Designer Risk Assessments within Safetibase and ensure actions are closed or transferred to relevant parties.
  • Monitor and close actions arising from Technical Risk Assessments.
  • Ensure system safety documentation is completed and approvals from relevant bodies are obtained.
  • Support compliance with CDM Regulations and project health, safety and environmental requirements.

Change & Stakeholder Management

  • Assess the impact of client-instructed changes and develop implementation plans to manage design modifications.
  • Work collaboratively with construction, logistics and project teams to ensure design solutions support delivery objectives.
  • Manage relationships with external stakeholders and third parties including, but not limited to: 
    • HS2 Ltd
    • Network Rail
    • London Underground
    • Thames Water
    • Utility providers and statutory authorities
  • Coordinate the management and tracking of consents required for asset delivery.


Information & Reporting

  • Ensure surveys issued to design organisations are reviewed and suitable for intended use.
  • Produce regular progress updates, identifying emerging risks, issues and opportunities.
  • Ensure Proprietary Item Reports are prepared, reviewed and accepted where required.

Leadership & Development

  • Provide leadership and technical guidance to junior engineers, graduates and design management team members.
  • Support the professional development and mentoring of team members.
  • Promote collaboration, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across the project team.
  • Demonstrate and champion SCS JV's core values and behaviours.

The ideal candidate

Required:

  • Either design management experience working for a contractor or experience in project delivery/engineering for a contractor
  • HNC/HND, Diploma or Degree qualification in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Working towards professional membership with ICE, CIHT, or other relevant professional body.
  • Computer competence (MS Word, Excel, Document control system).
  • Ability to obtain or hold a valid CSCS card.
  • Understanding of Engineering Principles and CDM Regulations
  • Strong information management and analytical skills, with the ability to quickly identify and extract relevant information from large volumes of project data.

 

Desirable:

  • Knowledge and understanding of construction contract law and forms of contract through experience and formal training
  • Extensive technical knowledge of construction techniques and best practices.
  • Training in Health & Safety and Environmental management
  • Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) with ICE, CIHT or other relevant professional body

About the Company

The role will work on the HS2 project. HS2 is the UK’s new high speed rail network. It will be a catalyst for economic growth across Britain, freeing up space on the existing railways and connecting 8 out of the UK’s 10 biggest cities with fast, reliable and frequent high speed services

The Skanska | Costain | STRABAG (SCS JV) is delivering the HS2 London Tunnels Contract. Scope of works includes twin-bored tunnels (TBM), SCL tunnels, shaft sinking, bridge demolition and reconstruction, services diversions, earthworks and the construction of site compounds.

You’ll be a welcomed member of the wider team, with opportunities to take on additional responsibility, join one of our networks for women, military or LGBT+ staff, and participate in cultural and social events with the local community (e.g. as a STEM ambassador).

Your personal and professional development is important to us. We welcome a discussion about how we can support you with further study, or professional membership or attainment for example.

HS2 – working with Skanska, Costain and STRABAG, closely monitors job applications, to ensure an inclusive recruitment process. To ensure we are able to maintain this, and to recruit a diverse workforce, we require candidates to complete the diversity form as part of their application so we are able to monitor and improve our approach to diversity.  Please note, all responses are anonymous and we will not share any of your data with other parties. All data will be held securely, (as stated within the Data Protection Act 1998) and will be reported to HS2.

It is an SCSJV requirement that all employees, Design House,  and Supply Chains must implement and comply with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System with guidance for use”, OHSAS 18001:2017  Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information Security Management System, Policies, Plans, Procedures and Processes, and statutory requirements as they affect the Joint Venture ‘s operations and ensure that the requirements, as applicable within their discipline, are effectively implemented on the project. Develop a culture of safety on the project through the absolute commitment to the Zero Accidents target and ethos, and develops a wider awareness of quality, environmental issues and demonstrates commitment to achieve continual improvement and Zero tolerance.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

SCS Railways is a Disability Confident Leader.  We want to encourage disabled people to apply for our roles and have an opportunity to display your skills, talent, and abilities.  We will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview.

Please see the disability confident commitments: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disability-confident-guidance-for-levels-1-2-and-3/level-1-disability-confident-committed

To be considered for an interview under this scheme you have: 

  • A physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term effect (over 12 months) adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities
  • Demonstrated in your application and pre-interview stage that you meet the minimum job criteria and person specification for the role

Location

SCS Jv Railways
London - Euston
NW1 3SJ
United Kingdom

Frequently asked questions

  • No. The HS2 London tunnels is a mega project that requires thousands of people to turn the dream into reality, and we’re actively looking for new talent from other industries. We also have a number of initiatives to help vulnerable people into work, including offering employment opportunities to people who are homeless, disabled, returning to work after a career break or leaving the military.

  • We support local businesses, communities and regional economies, working with several major contractors who rely on smaller suppliers to deliver services across HS2 Ltd. Many businesses are local to our sites, meaning we can support our local economy and reduce our environmental impact. 

    Recently, SCS JV was recognised for its role in building a supply chain that reflects the communities in which they operate by winning the HS2 Minority-owned Business Champion award. To date, we’ve awarded contracts totalling £135m to minority owned businesses in their local area and have placed a strong focus on ensuring small firms have every opportunity to thrive by providing access to free training and business development opportunities.

  • We thrive through embracing differences, whether that’s in social background, ethnicity, disability, gender identity or expression, age, religion or sexual orientation. We know that diversity opens a rich potential for new ways of thinking, helping us to build successful and high-performing teams. 

    We hold network groups for Pride, Parents & Carers, Racial and Cultural Engagement (RaCE) and Female Advocates in Infrastructure and Rail (FAIR). Led by employees for employees, these groups provide a safe place to connect with like minded people.

  • Yes, we consider all requests for flexible working, including compressed hours, part-time and remote working. Many of our staff operate on a Flexitime system, which means they can take time off for accumulated overtime.

Hiring Process

  • 1
    Your application is received and shortlisting takes place
  • 2
    If you’re shortlisted, your CV is anonymised and sent to our hiring managers for review
  • 3
    We’ll invite you for interview at one of our sites where you’ll discover more about the role and meet some of our team
  • 4
    If you’re successful, you’ll receive a job offer and contract from the relevant parent company
  • 5
    Subject to vetting and references, your onboarding process begins
  • 6
    Onboarding is complete! Welcome to SCS JV

Design Manager

  • Location:London - Euston, United Kingdom
  • Contract type:Permanent
  • Job category:Projectwide Services
  • Salary:Competitive
  • Closing date:30.07.2026
  • Job reference:scsrail/TP/76/4225

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