I am currently partnering with a well-established, international building services consultancy that delivers technically complex projects across the technology and mission-critical sectors.
With a strong reputation for low-energy design and delivering high-performance environments, they are now looking to appoint a Principal Design Manager to join their London team.
This is a senior leadership position suited to someone who thrives in complex, multidisciplinary environments and enjoys balancing client engagement, technical oversight, and commercial responsibility.
The Opportunity
You will take ownership of high-value projects (up to £5m fees), leading design management across the full project lifecycle — from pre-contract strategy through to delivery and completion.
This role combines:
- Leadership and mentoring of multidisciplinary design teams
- Commercial and financial oversight
- Programme and risk management
- Quality assurance and governance
- You will play a key role in ensuring projects are delivered to programme, budget and quality expectations, while strengthening long-term client relationships.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships
- Oversee project performance, profitability and resource planning
- Manage sub-consultants and supplier coordination
- Drive QA/QC, compliance and technical review processes
- Chair project, programme and design team meetings
- Monitor risk, programme milestones and deliverables
- Oversee invoicing, WIP tracking and cashflow forecasting
- Mentor and develop direct reports
- Contribute to wider business planning and growth initiatives
- You will be expected to operate with autonomy while contributing to broader strategic objectives.
About You:
- BEng (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering discipline
- Chartered status (CEng or ChPP preferred)
- Professional membership (CIBSE, IET, IMechE or similar)
- 10+ years’ experience at Senior Engineer level or above
- Strong understanding of the design process and design team dynamics
- Excellent commercial awareness and financial management capability
- Experience developing and implementing design management procedures
- Strong working knowledge of UK Regulations, British and European Standards
- Confident communication and stakeholder management skills
- Experience within technology, mission-critical, or complex environments is advantageous.
What’s on Offer
- Competitive salary (commensurate with experience)
- 23 days annual leave, rising to 28 with service
- Contributory pension
- Performance-related bonus (discretionary)
- Professional development and training sponsorship
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