At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design strategy for exciting multi-storey residential projects and ensure compliance.
- Company: Dynamic contractor-developer with a modern leadership team and growth opportunities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, strong benefits package, and direct access to senior leadership.
- Other info: Join a fast-paced environment with clear progression as the business expands.
- Why this job: Shape the future of design in a growing company and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in design management and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 80000 £ per year.
We're supporting a contractor-developer entering a major new phase of strategic growth under new ownership and a modern senior leadership team. With a secured pipeline of multi-rise residential and high-density new-build schemes, the business is strengthening its senior technical capability to support a more coordinated, compliant and high-performing delivery model.
We're now looking for a Senior Design Manager who can lead design strategy across multiple multi-storey projects, bringing structure, technical rigour and confident leadership to the design process. You'll oversee consultants, drive technical consistency, challenge design proposals, and ensure all information aligns with programme, cost and regulatory requirements - including modern Building Safety Act and golden thread obligations. This role suits someone who can operate at a senior level, influence decision-making, and help shape how the design function evolves as the business scales.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead design strategy across multi-rise residential and complex new-build schemes
- Manage pre-construction design development, ensuring buildability, compliance and clarity
- Oversee architects, engineers and specialist consultants across structural, civil, façade and MEP disciplines
- Drive technical consistency through design trackers, information schedules and quality control processes
- Review and challenge design proposals to ensure alignment with budgets, programme and value-engineering opportunities
- Lead planning submissions, technical approvals and regulatory compliance
- Ensure all design information meets Building Safety Act, BSR and golden thread requirements
- Chair senior design meetings and provide clear updates to leadership
- Facilitate communication between construction, commercial, technical and client teams
- Support the development of design processes, standards and governance
- Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager for a main contractor or developer
- Strong background in design & build, multi-rise residential or complex new-build projects
- Deep understanding of façade and envelope interfaces within new-build environments
- Strong knowledge of CDM, Building Regulations and modern safety-driven compliance
- Confident leading consultants, technical teams and multiple stakeholders
- Strategic thinker with strong organisational and leadership capability
- Clear communicator with credibility at senior and client level
- Able to manage complex design information in a fast-paced environment
- £75,000-£85,000 salary
- Strong package and benefits
- Direct access to senior leadership and opportunity to help shape the function
- A pipeline of multi-rise residential schemes with complex technical interfaces
- Clear progression as the business continues to grow
