Senior Design Manager

Company: Skilled Careers
Apply for the Senior Design Manager
Location:
Job Description:

Role: Senior Design Manager & Design Manager

Location: Hertfordshire

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and talented Senior Design Manager to join a Tier 1 Main Contractor. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the design aspects of bids, pre-construction activities, and live projects, ensuring the effective coordination and delivery of high-quality design solutions from inception through to completion.

This role is ideally suited to an individual with significant experience within the main contracting sector, particularly on healthcare and education projects, and who can demonstrate strong leadership, technical expertise, and stakeholder management skills.

Key Responsibilities

  • Establish, maintain, and manage effective design resources and project team structures during both bid and delivery stages.
  • Lead and provide a professional, comprehensive, and sustainable design management service for clients, consultants, supply chain partners, and project teams.
  • Manage and coordinate the overall design process through all RIBA design stages, challenging project briefs where appropriate and introducing innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure compliance with all design management procedures and governance requirements throughout project lifecycles.
  • Contribute to the development of project design strategies and delivery approaches.
  • Ensure adherence to client briefs and scopes of service, developing comprehensive design scopes for key project stages.
  • Plan, programme, and chair design reviews and coordination meetings.
  • Work closely with lead designers and consultants to ensure fully coordinated design solutions are achieved.
  • Identify requirements for design reviews and ensure appropriate stakeholder engagement.
  • Ensure designs are developed in line with commercial objectives, construction methodologies, programme requirements, and budget allowances.
  • Support both single-stage and two-stage tender processes, providing design leadership throughout bid submissions and project delivery.

Essential Experience

  • Proven track record delivering healthcare and/or commercial projects.
  • Strong understanding of construction design processes, methodologies, and coordination techniques.
  • Experience managing design through both pre-construction and delivery phases.
  • Experience working on both single-stage and two-stage tender opportunities.
  • Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Currently or have previously work for Tier 1 or Tier 2 Main Contractor is ESSENTIAL.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

  • Strong leadership and organisational skills.
  • A collaborative and proactive approach to problem-solving.
  • Commercial awareness and an understanding of project delivery objectives.
  • The ability to challenge and influence design teams constructively.
  • A commitment to quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • The ability to build effective relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.

What’s on Offer

  • Opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of high-profile healthcare and education projects.
  • Involvement in projects from bid stage through to completion.
  • Collaborative and supportive working environment.
  • Career development and progression opportunities within a growing regional business.
  • Flexible working arrangements, including occasional remote working.
  • Competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience.

Posted: July 1st, 2026