I’m currently recruiting for an experienced Design Delivery Manager to join a major player delivering grid-connected infrastructure projects, including Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), within the UK regulated utilities sector.
This is a senior, highly visible role created to bring control, assurance, and accountability back into complex utility design environments. It will suit someone who thrives at the intersection of design, delivery, regulation, and stakeholder management.
The Opportunity
The Design Delivery Manager acts as the single point of ownership for the design interface across regulated power projects. You’ll sit between utility project teams, internal design assurance functions, construction and commissioning teams, and third-party design consultants — ensuring designs are compliant, buildable, and delivered to programme.
This role operates squarely within ICP / IDNO / DNO environments, with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance, utility standards, and risk reduction.
Key Responsibilities
Utilities Design Interface Leadership
- Act as the primary point of accountability for design across grid-connected and BESS projects
- Coordinate and align:
- Utility project delivery teams
- Internal design delivery, review, and assurance functions
- Construction and commissioning teams
- Third-party utility design consultants
- Resolve technical and interface issues across civil, electrical, protection, earthing, and grid connection disciplines
Third-Party Design Governance
- Hold external utility design houses accountable for:
- Contractual scope and deliverables
- Compliance with utility standards
- Programme and approval milestones
- Review and challenge designs against:
- DNO / Transmission Owner standards
- G99, G100, and relevant ENA requirements
- Project and client specifications
- Manage non-conformances and corrective actions
Design Assurance & Regulatory Compliance
- Lead the interface between delivery teams and internal QA / assurance processes
- Ensure designs are coordinated, buildable, and construction-ready
- Ensure long-lead items are properly sequenced within the design programme
- Support compliance with CDM Principal Designer duties
- Identify and mitigate design risk early to protect programme and cost
Programme Stabilisation
- Stabilise design outputs to enable:
- Reliable release of construction work packages
- Credible utility programme commitments
- Improved confidence from clients and regulators
- Reduce reactive re-design, recovery planning, and programme rework
Regional Utilities Oversight
- Provide consistent design governance across multiple regulated utility projects
- Drive standardisation of design tracking, reviews, and approval gateways
- Feed lessons learned into long-term utilities design strategy
Background & Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in regulated utilities or power infrastructure design management
- Strong understanding of:
- DNO / Transmission Owner standards
- ICP / IDNO delivery models
- Grid connection approvals and compliance
- Proven ability to manage and challenge third-party design consultants
- Experience with BESS, substations, or grid-connected assets
- Sound technical knowledge of:
- HV / LV electrical systems
- Protection, earthing, and grid interfaces
- Design assurance and QA processes
Desirable
- Chartered Engineer or working towards chartership (IET, ICE, or similar)
- Background in turnaround, stabilisation, or interim delivery roles
Personal Attributes
- Credible and authoritative in regulated utility environments
- Calm, structured, and decisive under pressure
- Willing to challenge poor design quality or unsafe practices
- Strong communicator able to align technical and delivery teams