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- Tasks: Lead the design office, manage teams, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on innovative design solutions in civils and infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension, and life insurance.
- Why this job: Shape impactful projects while leading a talented team in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and design management, with strong communication skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to work on diverse international projects.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 68000 £ per year.
Are you someone who can manage complexity, hold teams accountable, and deliver design outputs that actually help projects succeed? If you’re process-driven, commercially switched-on, and can translate between designers, site teams, and clients without losing your mind, then we need to talk.
We need someone to run our clients' Design office and make sure the design actually gets delivered on time, within budget, and without drama. You’ll be managing the team, coordinating with external consultants, keeping projects on track, and making sure everything that leaves the office is buildable and compliant.
This isn’t a design engineer role, you won’t be sitting doing calculations or drawings. It’s about managing the operation: planning resources, setting up processes that actually work, chairing reviews, challenging designs when they need it, and being the go-to person when projects need design support.
YOUR NEW ROLE
- Own day-to-day running of the design office across UK and international teams
- Manage internal resources and external supply chain partners
- Balance workload, handle recruitment, set up procedures, and approval routes
- Plan programmes, hold people to milestones, and manage document control
- Lead design kick-offs, scope meetings, reviews, and technical audits
- Coordinate teams and consultants to deliver practical, integrated solutions
- Manage RFIs, change control, queries – keep decisions documented
- Ensure designs meet contract requirements, standards, and CDM compliance
- Drive right-first-time culture, manage non-conformances
- Set and track design budgets, monitor progress, and flag risks early
- Line manage the team – objectives, coaching, performance
- Champion CDE use and model-based coordination
ABOUT YOU
- Must have project/business management background, ideally with design management experience in civils/infrastructure or contracting
- Experience running multi-disciplinary teams across projects, coordinating suppliers
- Technical literacy to challenge designs (don’t need to produce them, just spot issues)
- Strong planning, communication skills, and comfortable chairing reviews
- Commercial awareness: budgets, forecasting, NEC contracts, change control
- CDM 2015 and design risk management knowledge
- Familiar with CDEs and tools like ProjectWise, Aconex, 365, MS Project
SALARY AND BENEFITS
- £65,000 - £80,000 depending upon experience
- Bonus (discretionary)
- 31 days annual leave
- Generous Pension
- Life insurance (4X salary)
To be considered for this position or other opportunities, contact Tash Johnson at Equal Resourcing Ltd or click "Apply Now." Equal Resourcing Ltd is serving as a recruitment agency for this job opening. Your application implies your consent for us to process your data and communicate with you concerning this application and associated services, in compliance with GDPR regulations. Equal Resourcing Ltd may use AI-assisted tools to support internal administrative tasks and document drafting. We do not upload personal data or use AI tools to make hiring decisions. Our client can only consider applications from candidates with a valid legal right to work in the United Kingdom. To view a list of job openings, please visit the Equal Resourcing Ltd website. Please note that not all recruitment positions are listed. For the most current opportunities, we recommend contacting us directly.
Design Manager in Wakefield employer: Equal Resourcing
Contact Detail:
Equal Resourcing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager in Wakefield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Design Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity that’s not even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to design management. Think about how you can showcase your experience in managing teams and projects, and be ready to discuss specific examples where you’ve delivered results.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Make sure to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you a better chance of standing out. Plus, it’s super easy!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in Wakefield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in managing design teams and projects. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves liaising between designers, site teams, and clients, it’s crucial to demonstrate your strong communication abilities. Use examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated complex conversations or resolved conflicts.
Highlight Your Project Management Experience: We’re looking for someone who can manage complexity and keep projects on track. Be sure to detail your project management background, including any tools you’ve used like MS Project or Aconex, and how you’ve handled budgets and timelines.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Equal Resourcing
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Design Manager role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities like managing teams, coordinating with consultants, and ensuring compliance. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with what they need.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've managed complex projects in the past. Highlight your ability to balance workloads, set up effective processes, and keep everything on track. Use metrics or outcomes to demonstrate your success in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
While you won't be doing the design work, it's crucial to show that you can challenge designs effectively. Brush up on your technical knowledge related to civils/infrastructure and be prepared to discuss how you’ve identified issues in past projects.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing how you would chair reviews or manage teams. Remember, they want someone who can translate between different stakeholders without losing their cool!
