At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design management across multiple industrial projects, ensuring excellence from start to finish.
- Company: Join a top-tier main contractor known for delivering high-profile developments.
- Benefits: Stability, career progression, and a key leadership role in a respected company.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for mentoring and collaboration across teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on complex projects while advancing your career in design management.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior design roles, especially with Tier 1 contractors, is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
An outstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Design Manager to join a leading Tier 1 main contractor delivering a portfolio of Industrial projects across Swindon and the South-west. With a strong pipeline of complex hospital schemes, this role offers the chance to play a key leadership position across multiple projects, contributing to the successful delivery of technically challenging and high-profile developments.
The Role
As Senior Design Manager, you will take ownership of the design management function across several schemes, ensuring design excellence from pre-construction through to project completion. This is a dynamic, multi-site role requiring travel between projects, working closely with internal teams, consultants, and stakeholders to drive coordination, quality, and programme certainty.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the design process from pre-construction through delivery
- Coordinate and oversee consultant and subcontractor design outputs
- Ensure design compliance with statutory, regulatory, and employer's requirements
- Carry out design assurance, technical reviews, and buildability assessments
- Identify and manage design risks, driving value engineering opportunities
- Lead design change control, assessing programme and cost implications
- Maintain accurate records of design submissions, approvals, and revisions
- Collaborate closely with construction, commercial, and procurement teams
- Provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance to Design Managers within the team
Skills & Experience
- Proven track record in a Senior Design Manager or Design Manager role on major projects
- Experience working for a Tier 1 or large main contractor
- Strong understanding of RIBA Stages 3–6
- Background in delivering complex, site-based projects
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex design interfaces
- Excellent communication, coordination, and leadership skills
- Relevant professional qualification (desirable but not essential)
Why Apply?
Long-term pipeline offering stability and career progression. Key leadership role within a highly respected Tier 1 contractor.
If you are seeking a senior design leadership position within a forward-thinking Tier 1 contractor, we would be keen to hear from you. Please submit your CV or contact Francesca Cainelli on 0207 288 0166 for a confidential discussion.
Senior Design Manager in Milton Keynes employer: Fawkes & Reece
Join a leading Tier 1 main contractor in Swindon, where you will be part of a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, this role offers exceptional career progression opportunities while working on high-profile industrial projects. Enjoy the stability of a robust project pipeline and the chance to lead multidisciplinary teams in delivering technically challenging developments.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Design Manager in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Senior Design Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your past projects and achievements. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing complex design interfaces.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Manager in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your previous roles in design management, especially on major projects, to show us you’re the right fit for this Senior Design Manager position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your experience with RIBA Stages and leading multidisciplinary teams.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Senior Design Manager, we want to see your leadership style. Include examples of how you’ve mentored others or led teams through complex projects. This will help us understand how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fawkes & Reece
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the projects the company is currently working on, especially in the industrial sector. Familiarise yourself with their design management processes and any recent challenges they've faced. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Design Manager, you'll need to lead multidisciplinary teams. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed teams or projects. Highlight how you’ve driven coordination and quality, and be ready to discuss how you handle design risks and value engineering opportunities.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to be asked about RIBA Stages 3–6 and how you ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss how you carry out design assurance and buildability assessments. This will show that you’re not just a leader but also technically proficient.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions prepared. Ask about the company's approach to design change control or how they manage design interfaces across multiple projects. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals.
