Senior Design Manager

At Sweet Project Construction Limited, (SPCL), we work with the data, defence, and energy sectors. We are a comprehensive design, construction and engineering provider, offering services spanning site acquisition, architecture, and refurbishment to client occupancy. In our world, there are no simple projects, only specialist needs and clever solutions.

We are a general contracting business, drawing on over forty years of specialised industry experience to provide excellent service, sustain long-term partnerships and achieve the highest quality outcome for key clients, whilst maintaining financial commitments.

Sweet Projects has several projects to deliver from or within the Bristol area within the data centre and defence sectors. Including the stage 4 design, with enabling works for an £80million, multi-stage Data Centre in Corsham, Wiltshire. Enabling works are due to kick off in Q4 2026, with the main works commencing in Q2 2027. Also the upgrade and expansion of an existing data centre within the Bristol area and various strategic defence projects including new build and refurbishment.

Due to the nature of our projects candidates will need to demonstrate SC security clearance or be able and willing to achieve it.

The Senior Design Manager leads design management across major or complex projects.

The role provides strategic oversight of design performance, governance and risk management, ensuring successful delivery from bid stage through construction and handover.

Responsibilities

Design Leadership & Governance

• Lead design management activities across major projects
• Establish robust design governance, reporting and controls
• Provide advice and assurance to project leadership teams on design matters

Design Delivery Strategy

• Define and implement design delivery strategies aligned to project objectives
• Ensure design activities support procurement, construction and commissioning requirements
• Manage design risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle

Technical Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with contractual, technical and regulatory requirements
• Provide oversight of design reviews, approvals and validation processes
• Promote technical excellence and Safety in Design principles

Commercial & Risk Management

• Drive value engineering and design optimisation initiatives
• Manage design change control and commercial impacts
• Support achievement of project cost, quality and programme objectives

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Act as senior interface between clients, consultants and project teams
• Lead key design workshops, reviews and approvals
• Build long-term relationships with stakeholders

People & Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop Design Managers and Assistant Design Managers
• Promote consistent design management standards and best practice
• Support succession planning and capability development

Continuous Improvement

• Drive improvement in design management systems, processes and reporting
• Promote innovation, digital design tools and lessons learned

Success Measures

• Compliance with contractual and design requirements
• Design programme performance
• Design risk management effectiveness
• Value engineering and commercial outcomes
• Team capability and development
• Client and stakeholder satisfaction

The duties listed are not exhaustive and may be varied from time to time as dictated by the changing needs of the Company. The post holder will be expected to undertake other duties as appropriate and as requested by his/her manager.

The post holder may be required to work at any of the locations at which the business of Sweet Projects is conducted.

Requirements

Experience required

• Significant experience managing design delivery across major construction projects
• Demonstrable experience leading multi-disciplinary design teams
• Strong understanding of contractual, technical and statutory requirements
• Experience managing design governance, programme, risk and commercial performance
• Proven experience delivering value engineering and design optimisation outcomes
• Experience developing and mentoring design management capability

Qualifications

• Relevant industry qualification (RIBA, CIOB, ICE or equivalent)
• Degree qualified or equivalent
• Chartered status desirable
• CSCS Card

Sweet Projects is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that our success is built on the success of our employees. We are committed to providing a supportive and rewarding work environment that helps our employees to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation.

We are an inclusive organisation and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including:
• Car Allowance (for eligible roles).
• Competitive pension scheme.
• Electric vehicle scheme.
• BUPA Healthcare and Cash Plan.
• Eyecare vouchers.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• 25 days Holiday plus Bank Holidays plus Birthday day off.