Role: Senior Design Manager

Location: London

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to join a Tier 1 Main Contractor delivering high-value new-build projects across the Commercial, Public Sector, Health, and Education sectors.

The successful candidate will have proven experience delivering commercial and/or Department for Education (DfE) new-build schemes from a main contractor environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the delivery of design information in line with agreed design programmes and deliverable schedules
• Coordinate and manage appointed design consultants, ensuring compliance with project briefs, technical standards, and contractual obligations
• Provide design leadership during both pre-construction and live construction phase

Produce and manage

• Design programmes
• Design scopes
• Design responsibility matrices
• Consultant appointments
• Design schedules
• Chair and attend design meetings and workshops with internal and external stakeholders
• Drive collaboration between project teams, consultants, subcontractors, and clients
• Ensure design risk, compliance, buildability, and programme considerations are effectively managed throughout the project lifecycle

Essential Experience

• Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager or Design Manager working for a main contractor
• Strong track record delivering new-build commercial projects and/or DfE projects
• Experience managing high-value, technically complex schemes from pre-construction through delivery
• Excellent understanding of design coordination, consultant management, and construction processes
• Strong organisational, planning, and workload management skills
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and work within fast-paced project environments

Desirable

• Experience across Commercial, Public Sector, Healthcare, or Education sectors
• Knowledge of site and contract procedures
• Relevant construction or design qualification