Design Lead - to be a manager in Oxford

Hoare Lea is a human-centric and planet-conscious engineering consultancy. We offer intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment throughout the UK and further afield.

We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability. We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves.

In joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our 9-day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and 25 days of annual leave (increasing with service), alongside flexible and hybrid working.

We have a brand-new opportunity for a Design Manager to join/support our Central region. As we continue to grow and secure exciting new project portfolios, now is a great time to join us. Working alongside a range of specialist engineers and consultants, you will be joining a collaborative, knowledgeable, highly engaged team who love what they do, and offer a supportive, flexible, and high-performing work culture.

The Design Management role is one which brings together people and projects to achieve the highest outcomes and maintain Hoare Lea’s position as an industry leader. Responsibilities include:

• Take ownership of design management duties across multiple medium and large-scale projects.
• Support project leads on smaller projects by providing design management advice.
• Arrange and facilitate project briefings alongside the Project Leader.
• Arrange and facilitate internal project communications, including huddles, workshops, meetings and social media activity.
• Arrange and facilitate internal design reviews, ensuring compliance with internal QM procedures and processes.
• Undertake internal design programming and agree this with the Hoare Lea team and external client/project lead teams.
• Ensure projects are operating effectively in the digital space and champion the use of digital tools internally and externally.
• Monitor project costs, invoicing against programme/earned value, and provide cost predictions to completion.
• Report to the Project Lead, Programme Director and Regional Operations Directors as required.
• Attend project team meetings and workshops as appropriate and facilitate Hoare Lea actions in a timely manner.
• Collate monthly client reports at project level for issue.
• Monitor and report on Hoare Lea design progress against programme through to issue.
• Work with the Regional Document Controller to ensure successful issue of projects to a high standard and on time.
• Manage internal and external design risk assessments in accordance with QM procedures.
• Ensure projects are audited and technically reviewed to manage risk.

Experience required:

• Experience in a proactive design management role within building services or project delivery.
• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Confidence working with project leads, engineers, specialists, clients and external teams.
• Experience arranging and facilitating meetings, workshops, briefings and design reviews.
• Good understanding of design programme management and project delivery processes.
• Ability to monitor costs, report progress and support fee and change management processes.
• Strong digital awareness and a proactive approach to using digital tools.
• Experience working within quality management procedures and technical review processes.
• Good awareness of risk management and compliance requirements.
• Ability to support team development, resourcing and the effective distribution of work across multiple offices.

Successful candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview, either via Microsoft Teams or in person at one of our offices.

If there are adjustments or accommodations that we can put in place to help you participate and give your best at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.