Senior Design Manager

This Senior Design Manager is responsible for delivering design management on projects from pre-bid to handover with a high degree of independence, working with the senior project team.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver Design Management on projects with a high degree of independence using experience and judgement

• Oversee the design performance of multiple projects, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and client requirements.

• Monitor design programme, resource allocation, and delivery milestones across the portfolio.

• Integrate and work alongside senior project team; e.g. Project Director, Commercial Director, Construction Director etc.

• Represent the business at a senior level with clients, consultants and supply chain partners

• Manage high value complex projects in a variety of different sectors, client types and procurement contexts

• Bid for new work collaboratively with project teams, quickly establish external relationships and secure work through reports and presentations

• Manage consultant design through pre-construction period with the integration of specialist designers

• Manage consultant relationships at portfolio level.

• Manage process of design review and approval through documentation, documents management systems and inspections

• Manage third party interfaces such as Planning and Building Control (RBCA)

• Report to the Head of Design Management: Private/Public at regular intervals and key milestones on delivery of projects

• Manage design through internal project governance e.g.:

• Bid and conversion commitment reviews

• Monthly Project in Conversion / Project in Delivery Reviews

• Internal and external audits

Essential credentials

• Appropriate CSCS card for the role

• Professional Construction Qualifications relevant to the role (BSc or MSc in construction project management, building studies or architecture)

Essential Skills

• Ability to Plan, Manage and Monitor Design in line with the duties of the Building Act Regulations Principal Designer (BRPD)

• Strong written and verbal communication skills both technical and non-technical to client, supply chain, peers and stakeholders

• Able to use robust judgement in weighing up multiple, complex, sources of information and clearly communicate direction

• Able to direct and negotiate with consultants at a senior level e.g. business owners

• Able to present technical and procedural material to audiences

• Competent IT skills and experience in relevant types of programmes; Microsoft Office, PDF Editing, Presentation software e.g. Adobe InDesign, BIM Model software e.g. Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Essential Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of the design and construction process

• Knowledge of relevant legislation, construction laws, the regulatory framework, industry standards and technical guides

• Thorough knowledge of Construction Design Management 2015 Regulations and the roles of CDM Principal Designer and CDM Principal Contractor

• Through knowledge of the Building Safety Act and roles of BR Principal Designer and BR Principal Contractor

• Detailed knowledge of the RIBA Work Stages and their deliverables

• Thorough knowledge of design and construction technical details

• Detailed knowledge of standard forms of construction contracts e.g. JCT Design and Build, Construction Management, Management Contracting and NEC

• Detailed understanding of Professional Services Agreements

• Thorough knowledge of Sustainability including the delivery of relevant accreditations

• Thorough knowledge of Digital project integration delivery including, digital design (BIM), common data environments and project delivery programmes.

• Robust commercial awareness including contract conditions, deliverables, liability and responsibility

• Thorough understanding of construction methodologies and their influencing factors, e.g. safety, fabrication, assembly, logistics, availability.

• Essential Experience

• Experience managing consultants to ensure design and quality assurance deliverables are achieved and recorded.

• Experience of dealing with clients, contractors and construction activities.

• Previous experience as a design manager/architect on a significant new build project.

• Trained in all safety matters

• Experience in the selection and procurement of designers on a competitive basis.

• Experience in the creation and use of project control mechanisms.

• Previous experience of leading a design team

• Experience of negotiating Novated Appointments with Deeds of Variation

Essential Behaviours

• Must lead in the Incident and Injury Free (IIF) vision and prioritise safety in every aspect of the role

• Ability to initiate, establish and maintain relationships with clients, consultants, supply chain and external partners

• Flexibility and openness of approach and willingness to work as a team player.

• Collaboration with all levels of design managers across the business to share best practices, lessons learnt and offer cross project support

• Uphold and demonstrate the company values

Please note that due to the nature of this role, national security vetting procedures apply, and a full UK security check will be carried out for the successful candidate. Further details about national security vetting can be found here: United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We will provide:

• Car allowance

• Flexible and hybrid work options

• Up to 10% employer pension contribution

• Private medical health benefit

• Enhanced parental leave

• Life assurance

• 25 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell additional days

• 3 days wellbeing leave in addition to annual leave

• Health and wellbeing support and initiatives

• 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme including direct access to Talking Therapies and Coaching services

• Discounted gym membership to over 2,500 gym’s nation wide