Senior Design Manager (Maritime and Civils)
Senior Design Manager (Maritime and Civils)

Senior Design Manager (Maritime and Civils)

Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead design teams to develop strategic project requirements and ensure compliance with regulations.
  • Company: Join KBS Maritime, a dynamic joint venture at the heart of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, enhanced pension, and flexible parental benefits.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on national defence while working in a unique, innovative environment.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Engineering with significant experience; chartership preferred.
  • Other info: Applications close on 25th July 2025; interviews start the following week.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Design Manager (Maritime and Civils)\\n\\nLocation: Portsmouth (HM Naval Base)\\n\\nService Area: Asset Management\\n\\nHours of Work: 37 Per week\\n\\nWhat You’ll be doing:\\n\\nReporting to the Principal l Design Manager, you’ll have vital responsibility for developing the client’s outline strategic project requirement into a detailed Project Brief Requirements, developing the project delivery strategy and layering additional requirements and documentation to address project performance, constraints, risks, applicable standards/regulations, and acceptance criteria.\\n\\nWorking closely with the Project Manager and other supplementary disciplines, you’ll also be responsible for building, developing, and managing multi-discipline internal and external design teams. By extension, you’ll manage the design process through the development of the RIBA Plan of Work, considering the feasibility and appropriateness of designs in practice and ensuring the design process meets the relevant legislation and regulations.\\n\\nOperationally, you’ll also ensure designs align to client’s strategic and environmental objectives, being familiar and versed in environmentally considerate design, energy and carbon saving design approaches and awareness of technology. Lastly to note, you’ll confidently support and advise the client regarding\\n\\nYou’ll Have:\\n\\nWe are looking for a highly qualified professional with a degree in Engineering and significant experience in relation to the seniority of the post.

The ideal candidate should either hold or be working towards chartership in their relevant area of expertise. Your background should include exposure to a wide range of project typologies, which may include new structures, repairs, refurbishments, work on heritage and listed structures. You should be familiar with the entire project lifecycle (RIBA Stage 1-7) and possess in-depth knowledge of engineering, procurement, and construction aspects related to project delivery.\\n\\nKnowledge of the RIBA Plan of Work, Building Regulations , British standards and Eurocodes are desired and exposure to Marine Management Organisation and port regulations would be ideal to be able to hit the ground running.

Exposure to MMO licensing process and knowledge of port construction regulations would also be ideal.\\n\\nAbout you:\\n\\nIn this role, you will need strong communication and negotiation skills to effectively monitor and influence various aspects of the project. Key attributes such as listening and being concise will be essential. Additionally, your ability to build relationships and collaborate with others will contribute to the overall quality and success of the project.

By being persuasive and clear in your interactions, you will ensure successful outcomes at every stage of the project.\\n\\nYou’ll be adept at conveying complex concepts and work streams in a clear manner with consideration to the target audience. In alignment, you will be able to confidently deliver mentorship and support other engineers, particularly those less experienced.\\n\\nYou’ll get:\\n\\n * A competitive salary\\n\\n * 25 days holiday plus bank holidays\\n\\n * Enhanced pension scheme\\n\\n * Life assurance\\n\\n * Access to our internal benefits and discounts programme for all colleagues\\n\\n * Cycle to work scheme\\n\\n * Group income protection\\n\\n * Flexible parental benefits (if applicable)\\n\\n * Access to our Internal employee assistance network, giving you the opportunity to reach the heights of success within your new position.\\n\\n * Continued professional career development\\n\\n * Kudos reward opportunities (internal achievements scheme)\\n\\n * Occupational Health & Wellbeing Service\\n\\n * 50% off entry into the Historic Dockyard.\\n\\nApplication process:\\n\\nApplications are urged to apply prior to the advertising closing date of Friday 25th July 2025 with a view of interviews scheduled to commence week commencing Monday 28th July 2025. For all queries, please contact the Recruitment Team in the first instance who will advise accordingly.\\n\\nAbout Us:\\n\\nAt KBS Maritime, we're not just another company – we're an exciting and dynamic joint venture between industry leaders BAE Systems and KBR.

Our team is dedicated to providing Asset Management, Infrastructure Management, Energy Solutions and Alongside Services at His Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth (HMNBP), the beating heart of the Royal Navy.\\n\\nWith almost two-thirds of the Royal Navy's surface ships stationed at HMNBP, working with KBS Maritime means being at the forefront of innovation and progress. We operate in a unique and fascinating environment, with a mix of historic dockyards and cutting-edge infrastructure that's unlike any other.\\n\\nBy delivering state of the art solutions to the Royal Navy, KBS Maritime offers the chance to work on projects that make a real difference to the safety, security, and sustainability of the UK's National Defence and Security. But it's not just about the work – at KBS Maritime, we believe in the value of our people.

We have the ethos of a small business, which means we value and empower our team members to succeed

Senior Design Manager (Maritime and Civils) employer: KBS Maritime Ltd

KBS Maritime is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at His Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth, where innovation meets history. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits, and a supportive work culture, we empower our team to thrive while contributing to vital projects that enhance the UK's National Defence. Join us to be part of a dynamic joint venture that values your expertise and fosters meaningful career growth in a collaborative environment.
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Contact Detail:

KBS Maritime Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Design Manager (Maritime and Civils)

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the RIBA Plan of Work and relevant building regulations. Understanding these frameworks will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and your ability to hit the ground running.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the maritime and civil engineering sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights into the role and potentially refer you to opportunities at KBS Maritime.

✨Tip Number 3

Brush up on your communication and negotiation skills. Since the role requires strong interpersonal abilities, consider participating in workshops or online courses that focus on effective communication in a project management context.

✨Tip Number 4

Research KBS Maritime and their projects at HM Naval Base Portsmouth. Understanding their mission and recent developments will allow you to tailor your discussions during interviews and show your genuine interest in contributing to their success.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Manager (Maritime and Civils)

Project Management
Design Management
Knowledge of RIBA Plan of Work
Understanding of Building Regulations
Familiarity with British Standards and Eurocodes
Experience with Marine Management Organisation regulations
Proficiency in port construction regulations
Strong Communication Skills
Negotiation Skills
Relationship Building
Mentorship and Coaching
Technical Knowledge in Engineering
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Environmental Design Awareness
Energy and Carbon Saving Design Approaches

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in engineering and project management, particularly in maritime and civil projects. Emphasise your familiarity with the RIBA Plan of Work and any exposure to marine regulations.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, address how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Mention specific projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to manage multi-discipline teams and deliver successful outcomes.

Showcase Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key for this role, provide examples in your application of how you've effectively communicated complex concepts to various stakeholders. This could include mentoring less experienced engineers or negotiating project requirements.

Highlight Continuous Professional Development: Mention any ongoing professional development efforts, such as working towards chartership or attending relevant training. This shows your commitment to growth and staying updated with industry standards and regulations.

How to prepare for a job interview at KBS Maritime Ltd

✨Understand the RIBA Plan of Work

Make sure you have a solid grasp of the RIBA Plan of Work stages. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied this framework in your previous projects, as it will be crucial for managing the design process effectively.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

Since strong communication is key for this role, think of examples where you've successfully influenced project outcomes through effective communication. Be ready to demonstrate your ability to convey complex ideas clearly.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Regulations

Brush up on the Building Regulations, British Standards, and Eurocodes, as well as any specific marine management regulations. Being knowledgeable about these will show that you're prepared to hit the ground running.

✨Prepare for Team Management Questions

Expect questions about your experience in managing multi-discipline teams. Have examples ready that highlight your leadership style, how you foster collaboration, and how you mentor less experienced engineers.

Senior Design Manager (Maritime and Civils)
KBS Maritime Ltd

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