Design Manager (Capital Infrastructure)
About Us
At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain's energy future. We already operate the world's fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon-free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030.
In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole-system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always actin in the best interests of all energy users.
Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system-wide benefit, long term thing and public value.
The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future.
Your energy. Our future. Together
National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
About The Role
We're looking for a design leader to join our team on a two-year fixed-term contract basis, who brings both technical precision and genuine people skills to some of the most complex capital programmes in the sector — someone who thrives at the intersection of rigorous engineering and collaborative, multi-stakeholder delivery.
This is a senior design management role with genuine breadth and influence.
You’ll play a central role in shaping and coordinating end-to-end design across a future-focused national operations facility programme, helping to ensure resilience, efficiency, and long-term capability within a design-and-build delivery model.
You'll bridge the space between internal design teams, external design houses, specialist consultants, and the wider direct supply chain — holding the thread of design integrity across all of them. The programmes you'll work on sit in the £50m–£500m range, spanning technically complex built environments.
This is not a back-office role. You'll be visible, accountable, and influential — managing design quality, schedule, and multi discipline integration simultaneously, and reporting your progress clearly to senior leadership
Key Accountabilities
We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who:
A competitive salary of £70,000-£80,000 dependent on experience and capability
As well as your base salary, NESO's core benefits are the essential perks and advantages that form part of your employee package.
NESO's flexible benefits programme provides you with more flexibility around your helath, lifestyle and protection benefits, here's just a few available:
This role closes at 23:59, on the date displayed at the top of this advert, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.
Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we're committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment
We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential. If this role sparks your interest but you're not sure you tick every box, we still want to hear from you. process where everyone has the opportunity to shoe their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.
At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain's energy future. We already operate the world's fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon-free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030.
In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole-system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always actin in the best interests of all energy users.
Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system-wide benefit, long term thing and public value.
The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future.
Your energy. Our future. Together
National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
About The Role
We're looking for a design leader to join our team on a two-year fixed-term contract basis, who brings both technical precision and genuine people skills to some of the most complex capital programmes in the sector — someone who thrives at the intersection of rigorous engineering and collaborative, multi-stakeholder delivery.
This is a senior design management role with genuine breadth and influence.
You’ll play a central role in shaping and coordinating end-to-end design across a future-focused national operations facility programme, helping to ensure resilience, efficiency, and long-term capability within a design-and-build delivery model.
You'll bridge the space between internal design teams, external design houses, specialist consultants, and the wider direct supply chain — holding the thread of design integrity across all of them. The programmes you'll work on sit in the £50m–£500m range, spanning technically complex built environments.
This is not a back-office role. You'll be visible, accountable, and influential — managing design quality, schedule, and multi discipline integration simultaneously, and reporting your progress clearly to senior leadership
Key Accountabilities
- Leading design strategy end-to-end across all project phases
- Coordinating multidisciplinary teams — architects, engineers, consultants
- Managing the interface between NESO, design houses, and supply chain
- Owning design schedules, quality, risk, and budget control
- Leveraging BIM, Digital Twins, and design tools for integrated delivery
- Presenting clearly to senior leadership and programme directors
- Indirectly managing team members across partner organisation
- Lead, mentor, and develop the design team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment
- Maintain clear and effective communication with internal teams and external partners
- Manage stakeholder expectations through consistent, transparent updates on design progress
We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who:
- Proven Design Manager with experience delivering capital projects (£50m–£500m) within complex-built environments
- Experience in infrastructure-led programmes e.g. data centre design or similarly technical, with a strong understanding of associated demands
- Strong understanding of the RIBA Plan of Work, including the application of relevant overlays (e.g. design, commercial, BIM) across project stages
- Experience operating within design-and-build models, with a solid grasp of supply chain dynamics and stakeholder coordination across frameworks, design houses, and specialist suppliers
- Technically credible, able to engage confidently in detailed engineering discussions and build trust with specialist design partners
- Collaborative and decisive, with the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure and competing deadlines while managing stakeholder expectations effectively through clear and timely updates on design progress
- Proficient in design and digital tools, including AutoCAD, Revit, BIM, digital twins, and project management platforms
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
- Membership of a body, such as RIBA, ICE, RAE or equivalent is a plus
- Professional certification in project management or design disciplines is preferred.
A competitive salary of £70,000-£80,000 dependent on experience and capability
As well as your base salary, NESO's core benefits are the essential perks and advantages that form part of your employee package.
- You will receive a bonus based on company performance
- 26 days annual leave as standard
- A competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.
- Annual Enrollment to NESO Savings Plan, when you save between £20- £500 a month from your take-home pay, we will pay a 50% matching contribution.
NESO's flexible benefits programme provides you with more flexibility around your helath, lifestyle and protection benefits, here's just a few available:
- Flexible Bank Holidays & Holiday Trading
- Additional Birthday Day Off
- Cycle to Work Scheme, Retail & Gym Discounts
- Private Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance & Personal Accident Insurance
This role closes at 23:59, on the date displayed at the top of this advert, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.
Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we're committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment
We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential. If this role sparks your interest but you're not sure you tick every box, we still want to hear from you. process where everyone has the opportunity to shoe their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.