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- Tasks: Lead design delivery for innovative bus stop improvements in Portsmouth.
- Company: Join Balfour Beatty Living Places, a leader in sustainable infrastructure and community development.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days annual leave, and family-friendly policies.
- Why this job: Be part of transformative projects that enhance communities and drive social value.
- Qualifications: Strong background in highways design and project management required.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK\’s leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
About the role
Job Title : Senior Design Manager
Initial Location: Portsmouth with travel to Southampton and East Sussex 2 days a week
Project Type: Bus Stop Improvement Plan (BSIP)
Company: Balfour Beatty Living Places
About Us:
Balfour Beatty Living Places is proud to be delivering Portsmouth City Council\’s Bus Stop Improvement Plan (BSIP) – a transformative programme to modernise and enhance bus infrastructure across the city.
We\’re now looking for an experienced Senior Design Manager to lead our design delivery and ensure successful, innovative, and safe outcomes.
What you\’ll be doing
As Senior Design Manager, you\’ll be at the forefront of driving design excellence and ensuring Balfour Beatty\’s delivery meets the highest standards in:
- Safety by Design
- Programme and budget adherence
- BIM Level 2 compliance
- Stakeholder collaboration and client satisfaction
You\’ll lead a multi-disciplinary team of designers and engineers, review and approve fee proposals, and guide the integration of cutting-edge techniques and technology into our delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the design programme, ensuring timely and budget-aligned delivery
- Develop and implement BIM Execution Plans, EIRs, and Information Management Plans
- Engage effectively with Portsmouth City Council and stakeholders to build trusted relationships
- Review design output to ensure compliance, fitness for purpose, and risk minimisation
- Monitor and report on financials, quality, and performance KPIs
- Support the seamless transition from design to construction with our delivery teams
Who we\’re looking for
You\’ll bring a strong background in highways design with proven experience in managing and delivering successful infrastructure projects. You\’re confident with clients, a natural leader, and someone who drives standards across the board.
Essential:
- Strong knowledge of highways design and CDM 2015 regulations
- Working knowledge of BIM (Level 2) and digital delivery practices
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills
- Confident communicator with strong written and verbal abilities
- Full UK driving licence
Desirable:
- Chartered Civil Engineer (CEng MICE or equivalent)
- Local Authority experience
- Highways and drainage / earthworks
Why Join us:
At Balfour Beatty Living Places, we believe in creating communities where people want to live and work. You\’ll join a company that\’s serious about innovation, sustainability, and delivering real social value.
Professional and personal development
The size and scale of Balfour Beatty coupled with our strong pipeline of work provides incredible opportunities, regardless of what stage you are at in your career.
We encourage and empower our employees to take control of their career and explore which part of the business they want to work in and what role is right for them. We actively encourage our managers and employees to have open communication throughout the year about wellbeing, development and career opportunities.
We\’re proud of the Balfour Beatty Academy. Whether it\’s sharpening your technical expertise, improving your personal skills or seeking support to become professionally qualified, our 70:20:10* approach to development means we have a learning approach that suits everyone.
*70% learning on the job, 20% learning from those around you, and 10% formal training courses and learning events.
For further information about Balfour Beatty Regional Scotland please go to – You can also check out further job opportunities in the careers section
Why work for us
Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK\’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.
Why join us?
As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn\’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You\’ll have the freedom to shape the package that\’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:
– Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
– 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
– Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
– Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…
About us
Balfour Beatty Living Places works in long-term partnerships with local authorities to create great places to live, work and play. We actively engage with local people to understand the needs of the communities we work in and shape the places where local economies can thrive and grow. As a leader in sustainable working, diversity, and social value, we use our expertise to bring real, positive change for our customers.
Diversity and inclusion
At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit
To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence \’Employer Recognition Scheme\’ and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit:
We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at:
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Senior Design Manager - Portsmouth employer: Balfour Beatty
Contact Detail:
Balfour Beatty Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Design Manager - Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Bus Stop Improvement Plan (BSIP) and Balfour Beatty's approach to design excellence. Understanding their specific goals and challenges will help you demonstrate your alignment with their vision during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the highways design sector, especially those who have experience with local authorities. Engaging with these individuals can provide insights into the role and may lead to valuable referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with BIM Level 2 and how you've successfully implemented it in past projects. Being able to share specific examples will showcase your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Balfour Beatty's recent projects and initiatives related to sustainability and community engagement. This knowledge will allow you to speak confidently about how you can contribute to their mission of creating positive social value.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Manager - Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in highways design and project management. Emphasise any relevant projects you've led, particularly those involving BIM Level 2 compliance and stakeholder engagement.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for infrastructure projects and how your leadership skills align with Balfour Beatty's values. Mention specific examples of how you've driven design excellence in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your knowledge of CDM 2015 regulations and your experience with digital delivery practices. Use bullet points to make these skills stand out, ensuring they match the job requirements.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since strong written and verbal communication is essential for this role, ensure your application is well-structured and free of errors. Consider including a brief example of a successful stakeholder engagement from your past experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Balfour Beatty
✨Showcase Your Design Expertise
As a Senior Design Manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your strong background in highways design. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've managed, focusing on how you ensured safety and compliance with CDM 2015 regulations.
✨Highlight Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with clients and stakeholders in the past, showcasing your negotiation skills and ability to build trusted relationships.
✨Familiarise Yourself with BIM Practices
Since the role requires knowledge of BIM Level 2, make sure you can discuss your experience with digital delivery practices. Be ready to explain how you've implemented BIM Execution Plans and Information Management Plans in previous projects.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and leadership style. Think of scenarios where you've had to manage a multi-disciplinary team or overcome challenges in project delivery, and be ready to share those experiences.
