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

Senior Design Manager (Maritime and Civils)

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

  • Tasks: Lead design teams and develop project strategies for maritime and civil engineering projects.
  • Company: Join KBS Maritime, a dynamic joint venture supporting the Royal Navy at HM Naval Base 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 Title: Senior Design Manager (Maritime and Civils) Location: Portsmouth (HM Naval Base) Service Area: Asset Management Hours of Work: 37 Per week What You’ll be doing: Reporting 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. Working 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. Operationally, 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 You’ll Have: We 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. Knowledge 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. About you: In 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. You’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. You’ll get: * A competitive salary * 25 days holiday plus bank holidays * Enhanced pension scheme * Life assurance * Access to our internal benefits and discounts programme for all colleagues * Cycle to work scheme * Group income protection * Flexible parental benefits (if applicable) * Access to our Internal employee assistance network, giving you the opportunity to reach the heights of success within your new position. * Continued professional career development * Kudos reward opportunities (internal achievements scheme) * Occupational Health & Wellbeing Service * 50% off entry into the Historic Dockyard. Application process: Applications 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. About Us: At 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. With 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. By 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 in their careers while contributing to vital projects that enhance the UK's National Defence and Security. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that values your expertise and fosters meaningful professional growth.
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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 manage the design process effectively.

✨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 within KBS Maritime.

✨Tip Number 3

Brush up on your knowledge of environmentally considerate design and energy-saving approaches. Being well-versed in these areas will set you apart, as they are crucial for aligning with the client’s strategic and environmental objectives.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to showcase your communication and negotiation skills during the interview. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully influenced project outcomes or collaborated with diverse teams, as these attributes are key for this role.

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 in 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

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in engineering, project management, and design processes. Emphasise your familiarity with the RIBA Plan of Work and any exposure to marine management or port regulations.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, clearly articulate why you are the ideal candidate for the Senior Design Manager role. Mention specific projects you've worked on that align with the job description and demonstrate your strong communication and negotiation skills.

Showcase Your Technical Knowledge: Include details about your understanding of building regulations, British standards, and Eurocodes. If you have experience with environmentally considerate design or energy-saving approaches, make sure to highlight this as it aligns with the company's objectives.

Prepare for Potential Questions: Think about how you would respond to questions regarding your experience with multi-discipline teams and project lifecycle management. Be ready to discuss how you can mentor less experienced engineers and contribute to team success.

How to prepare for a job interview at KBS Maritime Ltd

✨Understand the RIBA Plan of Work

Make sure you are well-versed in the RIBA Plan of Work stages. Be prepared to discuss how you have applied this framework in your previous projects, as it will demonstrate your familiarity with the project lifecycle and your ability to manage design processes effectively.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

Since strong communication is key for this role, practice articulating complex engineering concepts clearly and concisely. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated with clients and team members in past projects to highlight your negotiation and relationship-building skills.

✨Highlight Your Environmental Awareness

Given the emphasis on environmentally considerate design, be ready to discuss your experience with energy-saving approaches and sustainable practices. Share specific examples of how you've integrated these principles into your designs to align with client objectives.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect technical questions related to engineering standards, British standards, and Eurocodes. Brush up on relevant regulations and be prepared to discuss how you've navigated compliance in your previous roles, especially in relation to maritime and civil projects.

Senior Design Manager (Maritime and Civils)
KBS Maritime Ltd
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K
  • Senior Design Manager (Maritime and Civils)

    Portsmouth
    Full-Time
    48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-08-21

  • K

    KBS Maritime Ltd

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