At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative design projects in healthcare and other sectors, ensuring high-quality outputs.
- Company: Join Willmott Dixon, a top-rated company with a purpose beyond profit.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, enhanced pension, generous leave, and private medical cover.
- Other info: Stable business with a fantastic culture and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on exciting projects while thriving in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Leadership experience in design, attention to detail, and knowledge of construction regulations.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Senior Design Manager (2-year FTC)
Are you ready to lead the design process on some of the most exciting and innovative projects in the region?
Willmott Dixon is seeking a Senior Design Manager on a 2-year Fixed Term Contract, based out of our South West region, with experience working and leading on major healthcare schemes.
You'll enjoy a hybrid working model with time split between the office, home, and projects.
Ideally, you'll be based in between Plymouth and Truro or in the Southwest of England.
As a Senior Design Manager, you'll take ownership of the design process, fostering collaboration across disciplines and driving project success.
Leading the design on projects ranging from 10m to 250m across the following sectors: Healthcare, Education, Leisure, Transport, Blue Light, Defence, Commercial and Residential.
Responsibilities
You’ll oversee, monitor, and report on design programmes, ensuring high-quality outputs that align with project goals and budgets. Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the design process to produce accurate information that meets agreed specifications and cost plans.
- Managing the appointment and performance of consultants in line with their deed and agreed scope of services.
- Developing a design programme with consultants to meet whole-life programme milestones.
- Delivering cost-effective, innovative technical solutions.
- Chairing design team meetings and driving action plans to completion.
- Ensuring designs meet all statutory and regulatory approvals, with comprehensive tracking and documentation.
With a robust pipeline of projects and a transparent outlook, you'll have the confidence that you're joining a stable and growing business with a fantastic culture.
About You
We’re looking for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and has a passion for innovative construction solutions. Key criteria and attributes include:
- Leadership experience in a previous design role
- Attention to detail and the ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary teams.
- Experience in developing and managing design programmes.
- Knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements relevant to construction design.
- The ability to produce cost-effective and creative technical solutions.
- Preconstruction and delivery design management experience
- Worked on healthcare schemes in a design management role within a main contractor setting is highly desirable
- In Return
We reward our people generously with a competitive package that gives you flexible benefits to fit your lifestyle and priorities.
This includes but is not limited to an enhanced pension scheme, generous annual leave entitlement, private medical for you and a partner, life assurance, incentive bonus and access to a market-leading sustainable car scheme.
Additional Information
At Willmott Dixon we provide an inclusive and flexible working environment for people to thrive in and we are happy to support agile working wherever possible.
We are a proud member of the Disability Confident Scheme.
About Us
With over 170 years of history, Willmott Dixon is a privately owned business with a purpose beyond profit - delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment for future generations.
In 2025, we were recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 Big Companies to Work For, ranked in the Top Five of Europe's 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times, and became the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.
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Senior Design Manager (2-year FTC) in Plymouth employer: Construction
Danny Sullivan Group is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment in the vibrant Burgess Hill area. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and safety, employees benefit from ongoing training and development opportunities, ensuring personal and professional growth while contributing to meaningful projects in the construction industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Design Manager (2-year FTC) in Plymouth
✨Get Your Foot in the Door
Temporary roles in construction often rely on quick recruitment, so make sure to visit local recruitment agencies that specialise in the construction sector. They usually have a go-to list of companies that need staff urgently, helping us connect with potential employers faster.
✨Leverage Community Connections
Construction is all about connections! Check out local trade events, networking gatherings, or even social media groups focused on your area. Engaging with the community can lead to insider knowledge about temporary job openings that might not be advertised anywhere else.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Solid Portfolio
Even for temporary gigs, a visual portfolio can really set you apart. Take photos of previous projects you’ve worked on, or if you're fresh in the industry, show examples of your work during training. This can help us demonstrate our hands-on experience to potential employers, like Construction.
✨Apply Directly at Construction Sites
Don’t overlook the power of walking directly into construction sites. Many temporary positions are filled on the spot, so it’s worth popping by local sites and having a face-to-face chat. Bring your CV and be ready to impress, as companies like Construction appreciate proactive candidates ready to jump in when needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Manager (2-year FTC) in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the construction game, having hands-on experience matters! Be sure to showcase any previous temporary roles or projects you've worked on in your CV. Mention specific skills like safety protocols, tools you're familiar with, or types of construction work you've done – this will help you stand out!
Showcase Certifications and Training:If you've got any relevant certifications or training like a CSCS card or health and safety courses, flaunt them! Include them in your CV and mention them in your cover letter. It shows that you're not just ready to get to work but that you've got the essential safety knowledge, which is super important in the construction industry.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:For a temporary role, flexibility is key! In your cover letter, make sure to clearly state your availability – are you ready to start immediately? Can you work various shifts? Letting Construction know how adaptable you are might just get you the edge over other candidates.
Keep it Concise and Clear:When applying for temporary roles in construction, employers often appreciate brevity. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the skills and experiences that align most with what Construction is looking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff to make it easier for them to see why you’re the perfect fit!
How to prepare for a job interview at Construction
✨Show Off Your Safety Knowledge
In construction, health and safety is non-negotiable. Get comfortable with specific safety regulations like COSHH or Working at Height – you might get asked how you’d handle risk assessments or unsafe conditions. We need to show that we prioritise safety above all else.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect practical questions or even a mini test where you’ll need to demonstrate basic skills. They might set up a scenario and ask how you would approach a specific task. Let’s prepare by brushing up on our trade skills and thinking through past projects we’ve worked on.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll want to know if you can adapt quickly to different teams and situations. Let's think about past experiences where we've had to adjust on the fly. This will show we’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Highlight Your Previous Experience
Temporary roles often require hitting the ground running, so make sure to have a few stories lined up that showcase your relevant experience in construction. We want to emphasise skills that might not be on our CV—like teamwork and problem-solving when things don't go to plan.
