Senior Design Manager

About the role

Join a leading UK contractor operating worldwide and take charge of the design process across multiple construction projects. You will work closely with internal teams, consultants and clients to ensure designs are coordinated, compliant and delivered on time and within budget.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the design management function on allocated projects from pre‑construction through to delivery.
• Coordinate consultants, subcontractors and internal stakeholders to maintain design alignment.
• Ensure compliance with statutory regulations, planning conditions and client requirements.
• Drive value engineering, innovation and buildability throughout the design lifecycle.
• Identify and manage design risks, implementing mitigation strategies.
• Support commercial and delivery teams with technical input and programme alignment.
• Chair design team meetings and communicate clearly with all stakeholders.
• Guarantee that design outputs meet quality standards and project objectives.

Required profile

• Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager or Design Manager within a main‑contractor environment.
• Strong technical knowledge across a range of construction sectors.
• Experience on large‑scale or complex projects.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Deep understanding of UK building regulations and compliance requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple design packages and competing priorities.
• Commercial awareness and appreciation of programme constraints.

Required skills