Senior Design Manager in Manchester

We are seeking a Senior Design Manager for our iconic, Grade 1 listed Manchester Town Hall project in Central Manchester.

As Senior Design Manager, you will be responsible for delivering Design Management on projects from pre-bid to handover with a high degree of independence, working with the senior project team.

Key Responsibilities

Deliver Design Management on projects with a high degree of independence using experience and judgement

Oversee the design performance of multiple projects, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and client requirements.

Monitor design programme, resource allocation, and delivery milestones across the portfolio.

Integrate and work alongside senior project team; e.g. Project Director, Commercial Director, Construction Director etc.

Represent the business at a senior level with clients, consultants and supply chain partners

Manage high value complex projects in a variety of different sectors, client types and procurement contexts

Bid for new work collaboratively with project teams, quickly establish external relationships and secure work through reports and presentations

Manage consultant design through pre-construction period with the integration of specialist designers

Manage consultant relationships at portfolio level.

Manage process of design review and approval through documentation, documents management systems and inspections

Manage third party interfaces such as Planning and Building Control (RBCA)

Report to the Head of Design Management: Private/Public at regular intervals and key milestones on delivery of projects

Manage design through internal project governance e.g.:

Bid and conversion commitment reviews

Monthly Project in Conversion / Project in Delivery Reviews

Internal and external audits

Appropriate CSCS card for the role

Professional Construction Qualifications relevant to the role (BSc or MSc in construction project management, building studies or architecture)

Ability to Plan, Manage and Monitor Design in line with the duties of the Building Act Regulations Principal Designer (BRPD)

Strong written and verbal communication skills both technical and non-technical to client, supply chain, peers and stakeholders

Able to use robust judgement in weighing up multiple, complex, sources of information and clearly communicate direction

Able to direct and negotiate with consultants at a senior level e.g. business owners

Able to present technical and procedural material to audiences

Competent IT skills and experience in relevant types of programmes; Microsoft Office, PDF Editing, Presentation software e.g. Adobe InDesign, BIM Model software e.g. Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Thorough knowledge of the design and construction process

Knowledge of relevant legislation, construction laws, the regulatory framework, industry standards and technical guides

Thorough knowledge of Construction Design Management 2015 Regulations and the roles of CDM Principal Designer and CDM Principal Contractor

Through knowledge of the Building Safety Act and roles of BR Principal Designer and BR Principal Contractor

Detailed knowledge of the RIBA Work Stages and their deliverables

Thorough knowledge of design and construction technical details

Detailed knowledge of standard forms of construction contracts e.g. JCT Design and Build, Construction Management, Management Contracting and NEC

Detailed understanding of Professional Services Agreements

Thorough knowledge of Sustainability including the delivery of relevant accreditations

Thorough knowledge of Digital project integration delivery including, digital design (BIM), common data environments and project delivery programmes.

Robust commercial awareness including contract conditions, deliverables, liability and responsibility

Thorough understanding of construction methodologies and their influencing factors, e.g. safety, fabrication, assembly, logistics, availability.

Experience managing consultants to ensure design and quality assurance deliverables are achieved and recorded.

Experience of dealing with clients, contractors and construction activities.

Previous experience as a design manager/architect on a significant new build project.

Trained in all safety matters

Experience in the selection and procurement of designers on a competitive basis.

Experience in the creation and use of project control mechanisms.

Previous experience of leading a design team

Experience of negotiating Novated Appointments with Deeds of Variation

Must lead in the Incident and Injury Free (IIF) vision and prioritise safety in every aspect of the role

Ability to initiate, establish and maintain relationships with clients, consultants, supply chain and external partners

Flexibility and openness of approach and willingness to work as a team player.

Collaboration with all levels of design managers across the business to share best practices, lessons learnt and offer cross project support

Uphold and demonstrate the company values

We will provide:

• Up to 10% employer pension contribution
• Private medical health benefit
• Enhanced parental leave
• Life assurance
• 25 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell additional days
• 3 days wellbeing leave in addition to annual leave
• Health and wellbeing support and initiatives
• 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme including direct access to Talking Therapies and Coaching services
• Discounted gym membership to over 2,500 gym’s nation wide

About Us

Belong at Bovis

We offer workplaces that unite diverse minds; where respect, equal treatment and equal opportunity are just the norm. We are a disability inclusive employer. If you need any adjustment or changes to the process, email us to let us know if you have a preferred communication method.

We build careers, develop skills, and invest in people. Imagine what more you can do here.

Bovis is committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer of choice by engaging, enabling and empowering our people. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. Inclusion sets us all up for success and we particularly encourage applications from currently under-represented groups in our industry including those who self-identify as women, black, Asian, minority ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/ or disabled.

Bovis

Building Relationships

We do what’s right, always

We succeed together

We bring energy

We are Bovis

Job Info

• Job Identification 232
• Job Category Construction
• Posting Date 10/15/2026, 02:43 PM
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations United Kingdom Manchester, United Kingdom

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