At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and coordinate design teams on exciting multidisciplinary building projects.
- Company: Join Mott MacDonald, a forward-thinking company committed to inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a permanent full-time role with competitive pay and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Work in dynamic locations like London, Manchester, and Glasgow.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the built environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Architecture or Engineering and experience in design management required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
Location/s: Bristol, Leeds, Plymouth, Cambridge, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, London; UK
Overview Of The Role
The Design Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating the design process on multidisciplinary buildings projects, ensuring design solutions are fully integrated, buildable, and aligned to programme, cost and quality requirements. Working closely with Project Managers and technical discipline leads, the role focuses on design leadership, coordination, and technical assurance, particularly within Design & Build and contractor‑led delivery environments.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
- Design leadership & coordination
- Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams across all project stages
- Develop and manage the design brief, ensuring clarity on scope, interfaces and deliverables
- Coordinate design outputs across internal teams, contractors and external consultants
- Design planning & integration
- Develop and manage the design programme, aligned with overall project delivery plans
- Support the integration of design, procurement and construction activities
- Work with Project Managers to ensure alignment between design progression and project milestones
- Technical assurance & compliance
- Oversee design reviews, technical assurance processes and quality checks
- Ensure designs comply with relevant standards, codes and client requirements
- Monitor design risks and manage technical issues throughout the lifecycle
- Stakeholder engagement
- Act as the primary point of coordination for design‑related matters
- Engage effectively with clients, contractors and stakeholders to resolve design challenges
- Support clear communication of design intent and changes across the project team
- Risk, value & commercial alignment
- Identify and manage design and technical risks, supporting mitigation strategies
- Support alignment of design solutions with project cost, programme and commercial objectives
- Work collaboratively with commercial and delivery teams to ensure design outputs are deliverable within agreed budgets
- Contribute to value engineering and optimisation of design solutions
- Leadership & collaboration
- Support and mentor design teams, promoting a collaborative and high‑performing environment
- Contribute to bid and early‑stage project development activities where required
Candidate Specification
Essential Requirements
- Degree (or equivalent) in Architecture, Engineering or a related discipline
- Experience in design management within the buildings or built environment sector
- Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and managing design interfaces
- Experience in Design & Build and/or contractor‑led delivery environments
- Good understanding of:
- Design coordination and integration
- Technical assurance and compliance
- Project risk management
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Desirable Requirements
- Experience working on large or complex buildings projects across sectors (e.g., defence, health, aviation, education)
- Experience on secure or regulated projects
- Chartered status (or working towards) in a relevant discipline
- Understanding of UK design standards and statutory requirements
- Security clearance (or eligibility to obtain clearance for project‑specific roles)
Please be advised that offers for this role are conditional upon obtaining the appropriate level of Security Clearance.
UK Immigration Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.
Equal Opportunity
Mott MacDonald is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute and is an equal opportunity employer.
Locations Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, London, Plymouth, Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds
Contract Type Permanent
Work Pattern Full Time
Market Buildings
Discipline Project programme and commercial management
Job Reference 14670
Recruiter Contact Andrea Gaffney
Design Manager in Cambridge employer: Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment across multiple UK locations including Bristol, Leeds, and London. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company fosters a collaborative culture that encourages innovation and mentorship, ensuring that design managers can thrive in their roles while contributing to impactful multidisciplinary projects. Employees benefit from a commitment to inclusivity and professional development, making Mott MacDonald a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend design events, and join relevant online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, bring it along and be ready to discuss your design process and decisions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in design management and multidisciplinary teamwork.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Design Manager role. Highlight your experience in design management and how it aligns with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you can lead and coordinate design teams effectively!
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous jobs; tell us about specific projects where you’ve managed multidisciplinary teams or tackled design challenges. Use examples that demonstrate your understanding of design coordination and technical assurance, as these are crucial for this role.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff. This will help us quickly see why you’re a great fit for the team!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mott MacDonald
✨Know Your Design Process
Familiarise yourself with the design management process, especially in multidisciplinary environments. Be ready to discuss how you’ve led design teams and ensured integration across various project stages.
✨Showcase Your Technical Assurance Skills
Prepare examples of how you've overseen design reviews and quality checks in past projects. Highlight your understanding of compliance with relevant standards and how you’ve managed technical risks effectively.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Think about times when you acted as a primary point of coordination for design-related matters. Be prepared to share how you resolved design challenges through clear communication with clients and contractors.
✨Align Design with Commercial Objectives
Demonstrate your ability to align design solutions with project costs and timelines. Discuss any experience you have with value engineering and how you’ve collaborated with commercial teams to ensure deliverability within budgets.
