Design Manager Associate Director

Associate Director – Design Manager

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We are scaling at pace — and this is where you come in.

With long-term frameworks secured across AMP8 and beyond, Jacobs is expanding its senior design leadership team across the UK & Ireland. As an Associate Director – Design Manager, you'll sit at the heart of delivery, accountable for end-to-end design across major capital programmes.

You will operate in a highly visible, client-facing role, leading integrated teams in alliance and D&B environments, ensuring designs meet not just technical standards — but programme, commercial, and construction realities.

What's in it for you?

• Work on career-defining infrastructure programmes with real societal impact
• Be part of a globally connected technical community with access to world-class expertise
• Flexible, hybrid working that supports performance and balance
• A clear path to broader leadership and influence within Jacobs
• The ability to shape innovation and future delivery models in water

At Jacobs, we don't just deliver projects — we reimagine what's possible.

Here's what you'll need

Already a proven leader? Now you're ready to step into a role with greater influence and impact.

• Chartered Engineer with 12+ years' experience in water & wastewater
• Strong track record in detailed design and Design & Build delivery
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams on major capital programmes
• Deep understanding of NEC3/NEC4, alliancing, and integrated delivery models
• Ability to confidently manage technical risk, change, and complex interfaces
• A natural communicator who can translate complexity into clarity
• The credibility and judgement to lead autonomously at a senior level

Your expertise might include: Design management, constructability, commissioning integration, technical governance, value engineering, risk & change management, stakeholder engagement, and client leadership.

Ready to Lead What's Next?

If you're driven by impact, motivated by complexity, and ready to shape critical infrastructure at scale — we want to hear from you.

Apply now and help us deliver a more resilient, sustainable future.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees. With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You'll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you'll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we're more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.

Locations

• Manchester - Greater Manchester - United Kingdom
• Warrington - Cheshire - United Kingdom
• Newcastle - Tyne and Wear - United Kingdom
• Stockton on Tees - County Durham - United Kingdom
• Birmingham - West Midlands - United Kingdom
• Reading - Berkshire - United Kingdom
• London - Greater London - United Kingdom