Design Manager - Architectural & Facades - Prisons in Preston

Be part of a project that really matters. We're looking for an experienced and driven Design Manager with expertise across architectural and façade packages to join our delivery team on the highly significant HMP Garth & Wymott redevelopment project. This is your opportunity to shape the design of a complex, high-security scheme where technical excellence, coordination, and innovation are key. You'll play a pivotal role in ensuring the design is robust, compliant, buildable, and aligned to an ambitious programme - all while championing quality and safety.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead the design coordination of architectural and façade packages from concept through to handover.
• Ensure all design information is complete, coordinated, compliant, and delivered in line with LOR design management procedures.
• Drive design reviews, manage design queries, and maintain a collaborative approach across disciplines and stakeholders.
• Work closely with the Lead/Senior Design Manager to plan, monitor and report against the design programme.
• Support construction teams with technical queries, buildability reviews and quality assurance activities during delivery.
• Manage statutory compliance, risk and opportunity, change control and alignment with LOR governance and assurance processes.
• Engage with designers, supply chain partners and the client to ensure the project achieves its technical, safety, and performance benchmarks.
• Bring forward continuous improvement and innovation, contributing to LOR's strategy for design excellence.

What you'll bring:

• A degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related construction discipline.
• Chartered status (or working towards it) with a relevant professional body (desirable).
• 5+ years' experience managing design for complex projects, ideally with façades/architectural packages.
• Experience working across different procurement routes and project stages.
• The ability to work independently—planning, reviewing and managing design requirements with confidence and clarity.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to chair meetings and influence outcomes.
• A proactive mindset: adaptable, solutions-focused, digitally literate, and committed to continuous improvement.

Why join us:

At Laing O'Rourke, you'll be part of a team where innovation, sustainability, digital engineering and technical excellence are at the heart of everything we do. You will have opportunities to grow, lead, collaborate and contribute to a project that makes a genuine long-term impact. We are committed to fostering a culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—ensuring everyone can bring their best, be themselves, and thrive. Ready to shape the future of secure estate design? If you're motivated by technical challenge, inspired by complex multi-disciplinary delivery, and ready to take ownership of architectural and façade design on a flagship project, we'd love to hear from you.

About Us:

Laing O'Rourke are an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia. Certainty, reliability, quality – this is what our clients want. At Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Our story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.