At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design on complex construction projects, ensuring innovation and compliance.
- Company: Join Tilbury Douglas, a top UK building and infrastructure company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, private medical insurance, and generous leave options.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values innovation and individual differences.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare, education, and commercial projects while leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: Proven design management experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are looking to appoint an experienced Senior Design Manager to join our Building team, supporting projects across the East Midlands region. This is a senior leadership role responsible for leading the design function on complex construction projects ranging from £2m to £60m, from tender stage through to completion of the construction design phase and production of operating and maintenance manuals.
You will provide strategic design leadership across a portfolio of projects, influencing outcomes from bid stage through to successful delivery on site. Working closely with clients, consultants, specialist subcontractors and internal teams, you will drive design excellence, innovation and value, ensuring projects are delivered safely, compliantly and in line with programme and commercial objectives.
As a senior member of the business, you will champion best practice in design management, support the development of design capability across project teams and play a key role in securing and delivering major healthcare, education and commercial projects.
Key Duties- Provide senior design leadership across multiple projects and framework opportunities (£2m–£40m), managing consultants, specialist subcontractors and project teams from bid stage through to project completion.
- Lead the development and implementation of design strategies, ensuring solutions are innovative, buildable, compliant and aligned with programme, commercial and client objectives.
- Drive design governance, risk management and value engineering activities, identifying opportunities to improve quality, sustainability, buildability and overall project performance.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants and key stakeholders, leading design workshops, resolving complex technical challenges and ensuring effective decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
- Support business growth through bid and pre-construction activities, including design planning, technical submissions, tender interviews and the development of high-quality, winning proposals.
You will be an accomplished design management professional with a proven track record of leading multidisciplinary design teams on complex construction projects within a main contractor environment.
You will bring:
- Extensive experience delivering projects through both pre-construction and construction phases, ideally across healthcare, education, commercial and public sector environments.
- Strong knowledge of framework, negotiated, single-stage and two-stage procurement routes, with the ability to influence project strategy from bid stage through to delivery.
- Excellent technical expertise across architectural, structural and building services disciplines, together with a thorough understanding of Building Regulations, CDM requirements and sustainable design principles.
- Outstanding leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience mentoring and developing Design Managers, Coordinators and wider project teams.
- Strong commercial awareness, planning capability and problem-solving skills, enabling you to manage risk, drive value and deliver successful project outcomes in complex environments.
A degree or HNC in a construction-related discipline, or equivalent technical experience, is desirable. Professional membership with a recognised industry body such as CIOB is advantageous. Experience with Microsoft Office, document management platforms and planning software such as Powerproject or TeamPlan is expected. A valid CSCS card and driving licence are required.
What We Can Offer You- Competitive salary and car allowance
- 26 days annual leave, with the option to buy or sell up to 3 days
- Additional long service leave at 3, 7 and 10 years
- Private medical insurance (with option to extend to family)
- Life assurance and pension matched up to 8%
- Enhanced family leave policies
- 2 volunteering days per year
- Flexible and agile working (role dependent)
- Employee Assistance Programme, including financial advice
- Payment of professional membership fees
- Access to “Perks at Work” discount platform
- Flexible benefits including critical illness cover, dental insurance, travel insurance, cycle to work scheme and retail vouchers
Tilbury Douglas is a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit-out company, delivering vital projects across sectors including health, education, highways, justice, defence, aviation, water, and environment.
Our people are at the heart of our success. We are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages innovation and celebrates individual differences. We are proud to hold Investors in Diversity status.
Please note: we do not hold a sponsorship licence. This role is subject to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Locations
Senior Design Manager in Cheshire, Warrington employer: Tilbury Douglas
At Tilbury Douglas, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Northampton where innovation and collaboration thrive. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive benefits, including competitive salaries, private medical insurance, and flexible working options, all designed to support your professional journey. Join us to lead impactful projects in healthcare, education, and commercial sectors while enjoying a culture that values diversity and encourages personal development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Design Manager in Cheshire, Warrington
✨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 Tilbury Douglas, 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 Tilbury Douglas.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Manager in Cheshire, Warrington
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 Tilbury Douglas
✨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!
