Lead Design Manager

Location: Cambridge (Site-based 4 days per week with 1 work-from-home day)

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Reports to: Project Director/Design Director

Pay Rate: £47 per hour

Start Time: 7am

We are a leading Tier 1 Main Contractor in the UK, with a strong track record of delivering large-scale, complex projects across various sectors, including healthcare, commercial, and residential. We are currently seeking a Lead Design Manager to join our team on the prestigious Cambridge Children’s Hospital project, valued at approximately £350M, delivered through the Crown Commercial Services Framework.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the design process for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital project, ensuring alignment with project objectives, technical requirements, and client expectations.
• Manage and oversee the design management team (5+ members), including internal design professionals and external consultants, ensuring effective collaboration and clear communication throughout the design lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with the Building Safety Act for all projects under the team's management, particularly those that are categorized as ‘High-Risk Buildings’ (over 18m and habitable), ensuring all necessary approvals are in place and maintained.
• Lead risk management efforts within the design process, proactively identifying potential issues and providing mitigation strategies.
• Work closely with the Project Director/Design Director to monitor design progress, ensuring deadlines and budgets are met.
• Facilitate design coordination between various disciplines, ensuring integration of mechanical, electrical, and civil designs, and ensuring high-quality design deliverables.
• Ensure that all design work aligns with the required safety standards, building regulations, and client specifications.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior members of the design team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing working environment.
• Liaise regularly with contractors, consultants, and stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition between the design phase and construction phase.
• Maintain technical oversight on all aspects of the project to ensure that designs are compliant with all health, safety, and environmental standards.

Essential Requirements:

• 10+ years’ experience in a Design Manager role, specifically within a Tier 1 Main Contractor environment.
• Proven experience in delivering major healthcare projects (in excess of £100M), ideally in the public sector.
• Strong experience in managing High-Risk Buildings as defined under the Building Safety Act, particularly in projects that are over 18m in height and are habitable.
• Extensive experience leading a design management team of 5 or more professionals across multiple disciplines.
• Degree-qualified in a technical subject (Architecture, Engineering, or a related field) suitable for the role.
• Chartered status with a relevant professional body (e.g., RICS, CIOB, ICE, RIBA, etc.) and capable of demonstrating competence to the Building Safety Regulator under the Building Safety Act.
• Experience in managing complex design challenges and resolving conflicts within the project team.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide teams through complex and high-pressure projects.
• Strong understanding of UK Building Regulations, especially in healthcare settings, and familiarity with Health and Safety legislation.
• Site-based availability, with a minimum of 4 days per week on-site, and flexibility for 1 work-from-home day.