At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design teams on complex infrastructure projects, ensuring successful delivery and collaboration.
- Company: Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, a leader in critical UK infrastructure projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous holidays, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for continuous learning and development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of national infrastructure while driving innovation and teamwork.
- Qualifications: Proven design leadership experience and strong communication skills.
We are continuing to grow the strength of our teams within the defence and nuclear sector. We are a sector-leading construction organisation, delivering complex infrastructure with integrity for a broad range of UK clients. Our projects integrate civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering, supported by enhanced security arrangements and rigorous quality control. Safety is prioritised throughout the project lifecycle, and we deliver with control, efficiency, and innovation that truly sets us apart in this highly regulated sector.
As Lead Design Manager, you will hold overall responsibility for the successful leadership and delivery of the design scope across complex, secure infrastructure projects. You will lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, driving collaboration between our design partners, client stakeholders, delivery teams, and supply chain. You will provide clear direction, governance, and assurance, creating certainty and predictability at construction stage by eliminating design risk and resolving buildability challenges early. You will be accountable for ensuring the design is delivered to programme, fully aligned with the client brief, compliant with legislation and design codes, and incorporates the practical construction expertise of our delivery teams and suppliers. Through the adoption of technology, BIM, and innovation, you will drive improved outcomes both in construction delivery and in long-term operational performance for our customers.
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven experience in leading and managing design delivery to achieve successful project outcomes.
- A confident leader and communicator, able to influence at all levels and create a high-performing, collaborative environment across multiple organisations.
- Extensive experience managing design consultants and subcontractors, including the use of NEC contract mechanisms, performance reporting, and change control.
- A strong advocate for BIM, with working knowledge of ISO 19650, able to manage deliverables, information flow, and approvals.
- Experience working within nuclear, defence, or other highly regulated environments, including enhanced assurance, governance, and specification compliance.
- Strong technical or engineering background; an engineering degree and chartered status are highly desirable.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to balance technical detail with programme, risk, and commercial considerations.
Everyone who works at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure brings unique skills and perspectives. We recognise that great people don’t always tick every box. We value potential, transferable skills, and alignment with our values just as much as experience. If this role excites you, we encourage you to apply.
What’s in It for You?
- Competitive salary and annual bonus scheme
- Generous holiday entitlement (with the option to buy up to 5 additional days)
- Flexible and hybrid working options
- Family-friendly policies and a genuine commitment to work-life balance
- Private Medical Insurance and car scheme
- Contributory pension plan
- Share-save scheme and lifestyle discounts (including cycle-to-work and gym memberships)
- Recognition and long-service awards
- Continuous learning and development, including mentoring programmes
- Employee assistance and wellbeing support for you and your family
Important Information:
We recommend applying promptly, as this role may close early if applications are high. You will need to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance. Due to the nature of our work, you must be a British Citizen and meet our clients’ vetting requirements. All security clearance costs will be covered by Morgan Sindall Infrastructure.
Our Commitment to Inclusion:
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. At Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
About Us:
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure delivers some of the UK’s most complex and critical infrastructure across six core sectors. We connect communities through responsible infrastructure, with our people at the heart of everything we do.
Lead Design Manager in Reading employer: Morgan Sindall Infrastructure
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Berkshire's thriving defence and nuclear sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth through continuous learning and development opportunities, alongside a competitive salary and generous benefits package, we prioritise work-life balance and inclusivity. Join us to lead innovative design solutions on nationally critical infrastructure projects while being part of a collaborative team that values diverse perspectives and fosters professional excellence.
Contact Details:
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Design Manager in Reading
✨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 Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, 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 Lead Design Manager at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Design Manager in Reading
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 Morgan Sindall Infrastructure
✨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!
