Design Manager - Subtransmission

The Design Manager – Subtransmission is responsible for leading and managing the delivery of subtransmission design projects, ensuring technical excellence, commercial performance, client satisfaction, and compliance with industry standards. The role provides leadership to a multidisciplinary design team and works closely with clients, project managers, field services, and stakeholders to deliver safe, cost-effective, and innovative engineering solutions.

Key Responsibilities Leadership and Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers, designers, and technical specialists.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performance team culture.
• Manage team workload, resource allocation, and capability development.
• Conduct performance reviews and support professional development initiatives.

Design Management

• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of subtransmission design projects.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant New Zealand standards, utility requirements, and client specifications.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Review and approve engineering designs, calculations, drawings, and technical reports.
• Drive continuous improvement in design methodologies, systems, and processes.

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with utility clients, contractors, and key stakeholders.
• Act as the primary technical contact for major projects and strategic accounts.
• Participate in client meetings, design reviews, and project governance activities.
• Support business development opportunities and proposal preparation.

Technical Excellence

• Provide technical leadership across subtransmission projects, including:
  • Overhead and underground subtransmission networks
  • High-voltage distribution and subtransmission systems
  • Asset replacement and network reinforcement projects
  • Connection and customer-driven works
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Identify engineering risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.

Commercial and Project Performance

• Monitor project profitability, resource utilisation, and performance metrics.
• Support project managers in managing budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Contribute to strategic planning and business growth initiatives.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

Health, Safety, Environment and Quality

• Champion health and safety leadership across all activities.
• Promote safe design principles and risk management practices.
• Support incident investigations and corrective actions where required.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Successful delivery of subtransmission design projects.
• Achievement of budget, schedule, and quality targets.
• Client satisfaction and repeat business opportunities.
• Team engagement, retention, and capability development.
• Compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Contribution to business growth and operational excellence.

Qualifications and Experience Essential

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in power systems, transmission, distribution, or subtransmission engineering.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering and design teams.
• Strong understanding of utility network design standards and industry regulations.
• Proven project management and stakeholder management capability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable

• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status or working towards accreditation.
• Experience working with New Zealand electricity distribution businesses and utility clients.
• Experience in consultancy and client-facing environments.
• Knowledge of asset management and network planning principles.

Key Competencies

• Leadership and people management
• Strategic thinking
• Commercial acumen
• Technical expertise
• Stakeholder engagement
• Project delivery excellence
• Problem solving and decision making
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Safety leadership

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.