Design Manager / Senior Design Manager

Do you want to make a difference in the field of engineering? Do you dream of driving innovation in projects, breaking established norms, and working in an exciting international environment? Join Deerns and become part of our team of experts from around the world.

About Us

Founded in 1928, Deerns is an engineering consultancy specializing in building services—professional services needed to design, construct, and operate buildings in a correct, safe, and environmentally friendly manner. With over 600 professionals worldwide, and operational offices in the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Colombia, Kuwait, and Brazil, Deerns is a global leader in engineering, strategic consulting, and sustainable development for the built environment.

Deerns provides consulting services for system design, energy, sustainability, acoustics, construction safety, and fire protection in sectors such as offices, residences, retail, hotels, sports and leisure, airports, data centre, clean tech, and hospitals. For more information, visit

The Role

This is a full-time hybrid role located in our London office (3 days working from our UK Office (London Bridge), 2 days from home or 50% of the time in the office).

Team Building

• Complete the rebuilding of the team by bringing in the necessary people to support project delivery and business goals.
• Build and maintain high-performing project teams within the project environment to achieve both project and business objectives.
• Set the standard for professionalism, work ethic, and team performance, addressing challenges fairly and effectively.
• Drive the team, dealing with difficult issues as they arise, and identify/address performance concerns before they impact Client satisfaction.
• Develop and maintain tools to support Client processes, ensuring seamless project delivery.

Project Management and Delivery

• Analyse and maintain a full understanding of the cost and profit position for each project, ranging from short-term feasibility studies to large full-scale RIBA schemes.
• Oversee project status regarding work delivery, internal costs, and resource levels based on input from project personnel and external parties. Modify schedules or plans as required and prepare detailed project reports for Management, Clients, or other stakeholders.
• Ensure risk and performance monitoring are conducted through effective systems of internal control and delegation.
• Capture and record project briefs, translating them into clear design gates for delivery (e.g., masterplan, 60%, 80%, and 100% design).
• Manage multiple concurrent workstreams, coordinating resources to ensure efficient progress and coherent deliverables.
• Oversee day-to-day decision-making on major projects with direct Client liaison and delegate oversight of smaller projects to Design Management or Engineering leads.

Client Relationships and Business Development

• Work closely with the Management Team and Account Manager to build and nurture strong client relationships, fostering opportunities for additional work and repeat business.
• Contribute to business growth by actively engaging in business development and strengthening external relationships with both existing and new Clients.
• Lead and participate in the preparation and presentation of fee bids for new Deerns UK projects.
• Collaborate with Clients to localise design principles for specific sites, ensuring alignment with their needs and goals.
• Proactively identify opportunities to grow Client accounts while maintaining project delivery excellence.

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure Quality Assurance is rigorously carried out by project teams, with appropriate documentation in line with Deerns UK processes and procedures.
• Oversee project delivery to align with the Deerns Project Delivery Process, ensuring compliance with standards for Project Management, Financial Management, QA/QC, and Technical Review.
• Continually refine and update Deerns UK Project Processes and Procedures to improve quality, delivery efficiency, and profitability.

External Collaboration

• Lead and coordinate virtual design teams working across multiple time zones.
• Manage external sub-consultants from a design delivery and project progress perspective, including input into invoice signoffs with support from Operations and Finance teams.

This is a key role for Deerns UK in relation to leadership in project delivery, maintaining our reputation for quality and ensuring we drive forward successfully as a growing business.

Ownership of all project-related activities is paramount for the successful individual in this role. Leadership and spreading of this ownership throughout the team is the key quality that will set the correct candidate apart.

Required cross-functional competencies:

• Excellent knowledge of the Data Centre and High-Tech market.
• Ability to mentor people and knowledge of relational dynamics for effective team operation.
• Excellent command of the English language (both written and spoken) and a predisposition to international relations.
• · Demonstrated skills in project risk management and problem-solving, with experience in finding pragmatic and innovative solutions to overcome obstacles.

Required experience:

• Direct experience in managing projects – including complex ones – in design, including planning, execution, and control of design activities, while meeting deadlines and budgets.
• In-depth knowledge of design methodologies, industry standards, and software tools used in the design process, such as CAD/BIM software, rendering software, etc.

Desirable:

• BEng in appropriate Engineering discipline.
• MCIBSE/MIET/IMechE Professional Membership.
• Chartered Engineer status.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Hybrid work (3 days from our London office + 2 days from home).
• 25 days annual leave + UK bank holidays (option to purchase 5 extra days).
• Perkbox (a range of corporate deals, including health, fitness and entertainment).
• Life Insurance and long-term sickness coverage.
• Discretionary annual bonus (up to 10%).
• Pension (6% employer contribution).
• Company social events.
• Referral scheme.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Good Habitz access (Learning & Development).
• Collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Exposure to diverse, challenging and unique projects.
• International networking opportunities within the Deerns global group.

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