At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design management on major construction projects and mentor design teams.
- Company: Leading UK construction and engineering firm with exciting projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, healthcare, pension, and 25 days leave plus birthday off.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities in a growing business.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team delivering significant defence and data centre projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in design management and strong leadership skills required.
Location: Corsham, Wiltshire (Hybrid)
Salary: £85,000 - £95,000 + Car Allowance + Excellent Benefits
Job Type: Permanent | Full Time
I'm currently recruiting for an experienced Senior Design Manager on behalf of a leading UK construction and engineering business delivering complex projects across the data centre, defence and energy sectors. Based at their Corsham headquarters, this is an excellent opportunity to join an established contractor working on technically challenging, high-value developments, including a flagship £80m multi-phase data centre project.
If you're looking to play a key role in delivering major construction projects while leading multidisciplinary design teams from pre-construction through to completion, I'd be keen to speak with you.
The Role
As the Senior Design Manager, you'll take ownership of the design function across major projects, ensuring design delivery aligns with programme, commercial objectives and technical requirements. Working closely with clients, consultants and internal project teams, you'll provide strategic leadership throughout the project lifecycle, managing design risk, driving value engineering and ensuring the highest standards of quality and compliance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design management function on major construction projects.
- Manage multidisciplinary design teams through all project phases.
- Develop and implement design delivery strategies.
- Coordinate design activities to support procurement and construction programmes.
- Drive value engineering and design optimisation initiatives.
- Manage design risk, change control and technical compliance.
- Lead design reviews, workshops and client meetings.
- Ensure designs comply with contractual, statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Mentor and develop Design Managers within the business.
- Promote best practice, innovation and continuous improvement across design management.
What We're Looking For
To be successful, you'll ideally have:
- Significant experience as a Senior Design Manager or Design Manager within a main contractor environment.
- A proven track record delivering major construction projects.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary design teams.
- Strong knowledge of construction contracts, design management processes and statutory compliance.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Experience managing design programmes, commercial impacts and project risk.
- A collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence at all levels.
Qualifications
- Degree qualified in Construction, Engineering or a related discipline.
- Professional membership (RIBA, CIOB, ICE or equivalent).
- Chartered status desirable.
- SMSTS.
- CSCS Black Card preferred.
What's On Offer
- Salary of £85,000 - £95,000
- Car Allowance
- Hybrid working
- Private BUPA Healthcare & Cash Plan
- Competitive Pension Scheme
- Electric Vehicle Scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Eyecare Vouchers
- 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- Birthday off
- Long-term career progression within a growing business
- Opportunity to work on nationally significant defence and data centre projects
Interested? If you're an experienced Senior Design Manager looking for your next challenge within a business delivering some of the UK's most exciting and technically demanding construction projects, I'd love to hear from you. Apply today or get in touch for a confidential discussion to find out more.
Senior Design Manager in Corsham employer: Sphere Solutions
Sphere Solutions is an excellent employer that values its employees by offering a competitive salary and a supportive work culture focused on professional growth. Working in Wiltshire, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering high-quality civil engineering projects, with ample opportunities for career advancement and skill development in a thriving environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Design Manager in Corsham
✨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 Sphere Solutions, 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 Senior Design Manager at Sphere Solutions.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Manager in Corsham
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 Sphere Solutions
✨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!
