At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead civils and geotechnical design for precast projects, ensuring quality and efficiency.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on innovative precast manufacturing and project delivery.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Frequent travel to factory for hands-on collaboration and support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in design management while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Strong background in civils design and leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead the civils and geotechnical design scope supporting our precast manufacturing and project delivery functions. This role requires someone with strong technical leadership, the ability to drive design programmes, and—critically—a solid understanding of our factory operations.
As the Civils & Geo Design Manager, you will oversee all aspects of design development and coordination, ensuring outputs are fully aligned with programme, quality, technical requirements, and manufacture-led constraints. You'll work closely with engineering, production, and site teams to optimise design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA), driving efficient and safe solutions from early design through to installation. The role is primarily based in Birmingham, with regular travel to the Worksop factory to collaborate with production colleagues, support sequencing discussions, and ensure design integrates seamlessly with manufacturing processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the civils & geotechnical design workstreams for precast projects.
- Drive the design programme—ensuring timely, accurate, and coordinated information.
- Interface closely with factory teams at Worksop to align design with manufacturing capability.
- Support DfMA optimisation, buildability reviews, and production-led detailing.
- Coordinate with structural, geo, temporary works, digital, production, and site teams.
- Manage design reviews, queries, risks, and change.
- Ensure compliance with statutory, safety, technical, and contractual requirements.
- Provide leadership and direction to internal designers and external consultants.
What We're Looking For
Essential:
- Strong background in civils and/or geotechnical design management.
- Proven ability to lead, challenge, and motivate multidisciplinary designers.
- Precast concrete experience, including manufacture and installation considerations.
- Solid understanding of DfMA and production-influenced design.
- Ability to work across factory, design office, and site environments.
- Confident communicator with strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
Desirable:
- Site installation knowledge, including lifting, logistics, and sequencing.
- Digital tools/CDE experience.
- Chartered or working toward chartership.
Location & Travel
Base: Birmingham. Travel: Frequent visits to the Worksop factory will be required to effectively interface with production teams and support design delivery.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from colleagues of all backgrounds and experiences. If you require adjustments or support through the selection process, please let us know.
Civils Senior Design Manager in Birmingham employer: Laing O'Rourke
As a Civils Senior Design Manager at our Birmingham location, you will join a forward-thinking company that prioritises innovation and collaboration. We offer a dynamic work culture that fosters professional growth through continuous learning and development opportunities, alongside competitive benefits. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures a supportive environment where every employee can thrive, making us an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the precast industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Civils Senior Design Manager in Birmingham
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Laing O'Rourke, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Civils Senior Design Manager at Laing O'Rourke.
We think you need these skills to ace Civils Senior Design Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Laing O'Rourke
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
