Design Manager - Expansion DCO

Description

This role sits at the centre of Heathrow’s expansion and plays a pivotal part in shaping, coordinating, and securing endorsement of the design that underpins the Development Consent Order (DCO) for what will become the largest infrastructure programme in Europe. As a Design Manager within the Expansion programme, you will help lead the development of integrated, high‑quality design solutions that demonstrate to regulators, stakeholders, and decision‑makers that Heathrow’s expansion is safe, deliverable, sustainable, and ready for construction. Your work will directly support the progression of the DCO application, ensuring proposed designs are coherent, technically robust, and fully coordinated across disciplines within one of the world’s most complex operational environments.

This is a role for design professionals who want to shape major infrastructure, not simply manage drawings or schedules. You will act as a trusted integrator and leader, bringing together multiple design packages, suppliers, and disciplines to form a clear and compelling vision for Heathrow’s future. Working within a dynamic and ambitious Design & Engineering team, you will translate strategic objectives into practical design outputs that balance operational needs, constructability, safety, sustainability, and long‑term value. This once‑in‑a‑generation programme offers the opportunity to develop as a design leader, gain exposure to industry‑leading partners, and contribute to a nationally significant project that will influence how major infrastructure is planned and delivered for decades to come.

Responsibilities

• Support Senior Design Managers in delivering their responsibilities and managing design and engineering contracts, including contract administration.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee the production of design and engineering outputs to ensure alignment with programme objectives and project requirements.
• Manage progress and performance, providing required reporting and ensuring risks and opportunities are identified and addressed throughout the gateway lifecycle.
• Support optioneering and integrated solution development, including stakeholder reviews, approvals, and alignment across disciplines.
• Lead or support the production of documentation for the DCO, early works, and wider programme activities while ensuring quality, safety, inclusive design, and sustainable outcomes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by capturing best practice and supporting team capability development and succession planning.

Qualifications

• Previous relevant experience in the management of multidisciplinary design and engineering suppliers.
• Experience of delivering successful outcomes in a complex project or programme environment.
• Adaptability to continuous improvement and change management.
• Degree qualified in appropriate discipline.

Ideally, you will also have 

• Experience of working at Heathrow or comparable airport environment.
• NEC accreditation and experience in professional services contract service manager role.
• Development Consent Order experience.