Senior Design Manager

United Infrastructure is a dynamic and rapidly expanding business, focused on delivering critical infrastructure projects across the utility and social infrastructure sectors. Our team of highly skilled and hardworking specialists deliver innovative solutions to the complex challenges our clients face.

Our company is split into two business areas:

• Utility Infrastructure: Our team of Utility Infrastructure specialists design, build and maintain critical water, energy (gas), power and telecoms infrastructure for the UK’s largest network owners and operators.
• Social Infrastructure: Our team of Social Infrastructure specialists revitalise homes and communities by carrying out a wide range of work from retrofit to refurbishment and maintenance.

We are currently recruiting a Complex Lead Design Manager for the Social Infrastructure pillar to be based from one of our National Offices, ideally London‑based, but we are open to candidates willing to travel. You will play a critical leadership role in overseeing the design and technical delivery of multiple projects. You will lead and manage the Technical Team, drive operational excellence, and ensure successful execution of project designs and approvals, delivered on time and within budget.

In this role, you will provide expert guidance on all technical matters, ensuring regulatory compliance and aligning design processes with client requirements and business objectives.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide clear, visible leadership to the Technical Team, including Design Managers, Design Coordinators, and Document Controllers, across all project stages (bid, design, construction, and handover).
• Work closely with Operations and Commercial teams to resolve issues as they arise and ensure Design Managers are integrated into project teams.
• Lead by example, demonstrating a passion for excellence.
• Maintain a thorough, process‑driven approach, delivering consistently high standards.
• Develop and maintain a high‑performing team.
• Ensure tasks are completed efficiently, meeting agreed programme dates and milestones.
• Regularly monitor progress against agreed weekly and monthly programmes.
• Provide support, guidance, coaching, and direction to the Technical Team.
• Coordinate resource allocation and monitor workloads effectively.
• Track Technical Team resource costs against agreed budgets.
• Promote an inclusive, supportive team environment where open communication is encouraged, and individuals feel valued and appreciated.
• Actively recognize and celebrate successes, fostering a culture of positivity and motivation.
• Empower the team to take ownership and accountability for their work.
• Mitigate risks, uphold quality standards, safeguard profit margins, and maintain strong client relationships, positioning the organization as the partner of choice.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with consultant and subcontractor designers.
• Monitor the performance of consultant and subcontractor designers.
• Contribute to new bid opportunities by conducting technical appraisals of design information, assessing compliance, consultant fees, and design programme requirements, identifying value engineering opportunities, risks, and preparing contractors' proposals.
• Support the production and management of design programmes.
• Ensure designs comply with company standards and embed adherence to Technical Operating Procedures.
• Ensure company targets are met, maximizing revenue through high‑quality, cost‑effective, and buildable design.
• Review and support project‑specific design scoping and the procurement of consultant and subcontractor designers.
• Review and approve consultant and subcontractor designer recommendations and competency assessments.
• Ensure timely execution of consultant and subcontractor designer appointment documents and collateral warranties.
• Fulfil the Building Regulations Principal Designer role (Dutyholder).
• Ensure thorough reviews of design information are conducted on each project, ensuring compliance with legislation, system literature, planning consent, buildability, and risk elimination.
• Promote design that respects budget constraints, organise and chair monthly Technical Team meetings.
• Provide updates and progress reports for issues to the Head of Technical.
• Ensure all aspects of the building design are fully coordinated, including fire safety, structures, M&E, façades, internal specifications, service strategies, and maintenance strategies.
• Ensure complete, accurate, and coordinated design packages are issued to Commercial and Construction teams.
• Uphold company values in all aspects of work.
• Monitor subcontractor and supplier design trackers to ensure approvals are gained according to agreed programmes.
• Ensure design package presentations are conducted with consultants and subcontractors in line with agreed programmes before formal package release.
• Monitor changes from Clients, design consultants, subcontractors, and the construction team, ensuring proper documentation and approval.
• Oversee the change control process for variations related to drawing revisions, construction programmes, and costs.
• Ensure all planning and building control applications are submitted and approvals gained in accordance with the agreed programme.
• Monitor the timely processing of design information through the document management system; ensure current drawings are organised, and design information is exchanged as per company protocol.
• Conduct site visits as required.
• Always comply with company policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Ensure adherence to health, safety, and environmental policies in all aspects of work, supporting the company's drive for world‑class health and safety standards.

Qualifications:

• Thorough, with a proactive management style.
• Ability to lead and coordinate with Directors and Managers across the wider team.
• Skilled in prioritising and delegating tasks effectively; capable of negotiating, motivating, and influencing others to achieve required objectives.
• Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail.
• Proven leadership skills, including assertiveness, decisiveness, flexibility, good time management, and the ability to work well under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Effective people management skills, including goal setting, performance management, feedback, direction, support, and coaching.
• Experience in developing and upskilling teams.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels of management and project teams, both internal and external.
• Proven track record in successfully managing all aspects of the design and technical process for residential buildings.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of relevant construction industry legislation and procedures.
• Valid driving licence.
• Knowledge of construction project methodology, including sequencing processes in design and pre‑construction activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with high‑rise developments.
• Understanding of the building safety legislative framework, including the Building Safety Act, Building Regulations (dutyholder roles, competency requirements), and HRB Procedure Regulations.
• Strong technical expertise to assess, challenge, and monitor design work for compliance.
• Commercially astute, with the ability to work within established budgets to ensure cost‑effective team performance.

Join us at United Infrastructure today and be part of our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to the complex infrastructure needs of the UK.