At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead architectural design for a major scientific project, ensuring compliance and buildability.
- Company: Join a leading organisation at the forefront of science and public health.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, collaboration with top professionals, and a chance to make a societal impact.
- Other info: Inclusive environment that values diversity and offers excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape a nationally significant project with real-world implications for health and security.
- Qualifications: Degree in Architecture or related field, 5+ years in design management, strong stakeholder coordination.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Shape one of the UK's most important scientific campuses. We're looking for an experienced Design Manager (Architectural & Facades) to play a pivotal role on the National Biosecurity Centre – a nationally significant, highly complex project at the forefront of science, security and public health.
Initially based from our Fitzrovia, London office, you'll lead the architectural and facades design packages through the PCSA phase, setting the foundations for technical excellence, buildability and delivery certainty. From 2027, the role will transition to being predominantly site‑based in Weybridge, supporting detailed delivery and construction.
The role: As a Design Manager specialising in Architecture & Facades, you'll be a trusted technical lead, ensuring design intent is translated into coordinated, compliant and buildable solutions across a highly regulated environment.
You will:
- Lead the architectural and façade design scope from early‑stage design development through to construction readiness.
- Manage and coordinate consultant architects, façade engineers and specialist designers.
- Drive compliance with client requirements, statutory standards, fire safety, sustainability and security requirements.
- Own the design programme for your packages, managing dependencies and reporting progress and risk.
- Lead and contribute to collaborative design reviews, technical assurance and change control.
- Ensure design solutions are optimised for buildability, quality, safety, maintenance and whole‑life performance.
- Act as a key interface between design, commercial, construction and supply chain teams.
This is a role with genuine influence – balancing architectural quality with the realities of delivery on a complex, high‑profile programme.
What you'll bring: We're looking for someone who blends strong architectural judgement with robust design management discipline. You'll likely have:
- A degree in Architecture, Architectural Technology, Façade Engineering or a related discipline.
- 5+ years' experience managing design on major construction projects.
- Proven experience leading architectural and/or façade packages through multiple design stages.
- A strong understanding of procurement routes, design responsibility and risk management.
- Confidence coordinating multiple stakeholders and managing technical interfaces.
- Experience working on complex, regulated or high‑security environments (healthcare, laboratories, infrastructure, defence or similar) – highly desirable.
- Chartered or working towards chartership with a relevant professional body (e.g. RIBA, CIAT, ICE).
Why join this programme? Be part of a nationally critical project with long‑term societal impact. Work at the PCSA stage, where your influence on outcomes is greatest. Hybrid working from Fitzrovia, moving to a major flagship site in Weybridge. Collaborate with industry‑leading designers, specialists and constructors. Work within a business that values technical excellence, innovation and sustainability.
Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: We're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are dedicated to ensuring fairness, respect and equal opportunity throughout our recruitment processes and beyond.
Design Manager employer: Laing O'Rourke
Join a forward-thinking organisation at the forefront of scientific innovation, where as a Design Manager, you will play a crucial role in shaping the National Biosecurity Centre. With a commitment to technical excellence and sustainability, our Fitzrovia office offers a collaborative work culture that values diversity and inclusion, alongside opportunities for professional growth as you transition to a flagship site in Weybridge. Be part of a project with significant societal impact, working alongside industry leaders in a supportive environment that prioritises your development and well-being.
