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- Tasks: Lead innovative design projects in Defence and Buildings, shaping environments that inspire and protect.
- Company: Join Jacobs, a leader in infrastructure design with a focus on collaboration and excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy global opportunities, flexible working, and a strong commitment to well-being and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical infrastructure while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Chartered status or working towards it, with proven design management experience in Defence projects.
- Other info: Embrace a dynamic environment with excellent career growth and diverse team culture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Senior Design Manager – Defence & Buildings at Jacobs. Lead delivery of complex, high-impact projects across the Defence and Buildings sectors within the Cities & Places team.
Your impact
At Jacobs, we don’t just design infrastructure — we shape environments that protect, empower, and inspire. You will guide multi-disciplinary design teams to deliver secure, compliant, innovative, and future-ready solutions for defence-related facilities, including secure command centres, logistics hubs, and advanced research/manufacturing facilities. You’ll bridge client vision and technical execution, influence how critical infrastructure is conceived, coordinated, and delivered, and drive a culture of excellence and accountability across the project lifecycle.
Your responsibilities span early client engagement to delivery assurance and contractor coordination, fostering collaboration, resolving competing priorities, and ensuring high-quality outcomes that meet demanding project goals.
What the Role Involves
- Multi-disciplinary Design Leadership: coordinate and integrate design teams across civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and specialist disciplines to deliver secure facilities that meet defence standards.
- Client Engagement: work with government agencies, armed forces, and defence contractors to align design solutions with operational needs, security protocols, and long-term strategic goals.
- Technical Assurance: provide oversight to ensure compliance with defence regulations, safety standards, and environmental requirements.
- Programme Delivery: manage timelines, budgets, and risk to deliver projects ranging from secure command centres and logistics hubs to advanced manufacturing and research facilities.
- Innovation and Resilience: integrate cutting-edge technologies, sustainable practices, and digital solutions into defence infrastructure.
- Leadership and Collaboration: lead design teams, resolve priorities, and foster a culture of collaboration and accountability.
What you\’ll need
- Chartered status (or actively working towards) with a recognised architectural or engineering professional body
- Proven design management experience across multi-disciplinary projects
- Direct experience in Defence sector projects, including DIO and USVF programmes
- Strong ability to lead teams and operate autonomously in complex environments
- Sound working knowledge of BIM for project delivery
- Proficient in tools such as Revizto, Navisworks, Revit, AutoCAD, MS Office, MS Project / P6, and information management platforms
- Experience in managing commercial, contractual, and scheduling aspects of project delivery
- Strong technical coordination and delivery assurance capabilities
- Note: due to Defence project compliance requirements (SV/SC), successful candidates must have single-British citizenship. Current valid clearance is an advantage.
Benefits & Diversity
At Jacobs, you’ll find more than just a job. Benefits include: global opportunities, safety and inclusion culture, flexible working arrangements, and programs supporting well-being, volunteering, and community impact. We offer pension, holidays, and insurance options. We are committed to inclusion and belonging and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds. We support disability-inclusive recruitment and flexible working where possible.
We value collaboration and the importance of in-person interactions for delivery. Our hybrid working policy enables a balance of office/project and remote work. If you require reasonable adjustments during recruitment, please contact Careers Support.
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Senior Design Manager - Defence & Buildings employer: Jacobs
Contact Detail:
Jacobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Design Manager - Defence & Buildings
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the defence and buildings sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your best projects, especially those related to defence. Use platforms like LinkedIn to share your work and insights. This will help you stand out and attract potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Jacobs and their recent projects. Understand their values and how they shape environments. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission and the specific role of Senior Design Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Jacobs. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Manager - Defence & Buildings
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Design Manager role. Highlight your design management experience, especially in defence projects, and don’t forget to mention your proficiency in tools like Revit and AutoCAD.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about shaping environments in the defence sector. Share specific examples of how you've led multi-disciplinary teams and delivered high-impact projects.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you lead and collaborate! In your application, emphasise your ability to foster a culture of excellence and accountability. Mention any experiences where you resolved competing priorities or managed complex project timelines.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about Jacobs and our values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Jacobs
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into your past projects, especially those related to defence and buildings. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced, how you led your team, and the innovative solutions you implemented. This will show your expertise and ability to handle complex environments.
✨Understand the Client's Needs
Research Jacobs and their work with government agencies and defence contractors. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and strategic goals. During the interview, demonstrate how your experience aligns with their mission and how you can contribute to meeting client operational needs.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your proficiency in tools like Revit, AutoCAD, and BIM. Highlight any specific instances where these skills helped you deliver a project successfully. This will reassure them of your technical capabilities and your readiness to ensure compliance with defence regulations.
✨Emphasise Leadership and Collaboration
Since the role involves leading multi-disciplinary teams, share examples of how you've fostered collaboration and resolved competing priorities in past projects. Talk about your leadership style and how you encourage accountability within your teams to drive high-quality outcomes.