Senior Design Manager

About the role

The Senior Design Manager will lead design strategy for multiple multi‑rise residential and complex new‑build schemes. Reporting to senior leadership, you will ensure technical rigour, compliance and coordination across all design disciplines as the business scales under new ownership.

Key responsibilities

• Lead design strategy across multi‑rise residential and high‑density new‑build projects.
• Manage pre‑construction design development to ensure buildability, regulatory compliance and clarity.
• Oversee architects, engineers and specialist consultants (structural, civil, façade, MEP).
• Drive technical consistency using design trackers, information schedules and quality‑control processes.
• Review and challenge design proposals to align with budgets, programme and value‑engineering opportunities.
• Lead planning submissions, secure technical approvals and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Guarantee that all design information meets Building Safety Act, BSR and golden‑thread requirements.
• Chair senior design meetings and provide clear updates to leadership.
• Facilitate communication between construction, commercial, technical and client teams.
• Support development of design processes, standards and governance.

Required profile

• Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager for a main contractor or developer.
• Strong background in design‑and‑build, multi‑rise residential or complex new‑build projects.
• Deep understanding of façade and envelope interfaces within new‑build environments.
• Extensive knowledge of CDM, Building Regulations and modern safety‑driven compliance.
• Confident leader of consultants, technical teams and multiple stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with strong organisational and leadership capability.
• Clear communicator with credibility at senior and client level.

Required skills

• CDM (Construction Design and Management) compliance
• Building Regulations knowledge
• Building Safety Act compliance and golden‑thread management
• Façade design and envelope integration
• M&E (Mechanical & Electrical) coordination