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- Tasks: Lead high-profile design projects and ensure they meet sustainability goals.
- Company: Join Watkin Jones Group, a leading developer with a rich history.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, health cash plan, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a forward-thinking company focused on innovation.
- Qualifications: Proven design management experience and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and excellent career growth opportunities await.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Are you a skilled design professional looking to take the next step in your career? We\’re seeking a Design Manager who can coordinate and deliver high-quality design solutions across a diverse portfolio of projects. This is a fantastic opportunity to combine creativity, technical know-how, and commercial awareness in a role that makes a real impact. You\’ll play a key part in managing the design process from concept through to delivery—ensuring projects meet customer expectations, business objectives, and sustainability goals. Working closely with consultants, contractors, and internal teams, you\’ll help turn ideas into reality while maintaining high standards of safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Location: Chester office (with flexible home working) Travel: To project sites as required What You\’ll Do In this role, you\’ll coordinate design deliverables across multiple disciplines and support consultant appointments to ensure compliance with agreed scopes. You\’ll assist with proposals within BIM and commercial constraints, provide input on buildability and technical feasibility, and track progress throughout the design process. You\’ll manage submissions to clients and statutory bodies, identify opportunities for value engineering and offsite/prefabrication, and contribute to sustainability initiatives. Alongside this, you\’ll support procurement planning and help capture and share best practices across the business. What We\’re Looking For Experience in a design or technical coordination role. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Understanding of design processes, construction methods, and commercial drivers. Interest in sustainability and innovation. Experience with PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation) or BTR (Build to Rent) schemes is highly desirable. Collaborative, proactive, and solution-focused approach. Why Choose Watkin Jones Group? You\’ll be part of a dynamic team delivering projects that shape modern living spaces. We offer flexibility, career development opportunities, and the chance to work on projects that make a real difference. At Watkin Jones, we believe in investing in our people. Here\’s what we can offer you: Work-Life Balance: 25 days of annual leave (increasing with tenure), agile working arrangements, and discounted gym memberships. Wellbeing: Access to\’Your Wellbeing\’ programme & OpenUp – a confidential wellbeing platform. Rewards: Discretionary annual bonus, health cash plan, life insurance of 3 x salary and more. Benefits: Company Car or Car Allowance, exclusive shopping discounts, and a contributory pension scheme. This is an opportunity to take on a high-impact role within a forward-thinking company. In return, we offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the chance to work on major projects that shape the built environment. Watkin Jones Group is the UK\’s leading developer, builder, and manager of residential-for-rent homes, with a rich history dating back to 1791. With 54,000 homes developed and in-build across over 254 schemes, we have a proven track record of success. Our operating arm, Fresh, manages over 18,500 units across 58 schemes, representing approximately £1.7bn of assets under management. Joining us means becoming part of a company that\’s not only deeply rooted in history but also firmly focused on the future. We\’re committed to creating high-quality rental homes, fostering vibrant communities, and driving sustainable development.
Senior Design Manager employer: Watkin Jones
Contact Detail:
Watkin Jones Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Design Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the design and construction industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your portfolio! Make sure your design portfolio is up-to-date and highlights your best work, especially projects that align with high-rise PBSA or BTR schemes. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, use your portfolio to demonstrate your skills and experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their approach to sustainability and innovation, and think of examples from your past work that align with their values. This will show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for their culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are excited about joining us. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience meets the specific needs of the Senior Design Manager role, and don’t forget to follow up after submitting!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in design and technical management. We want to see how you've tackled complex projects before, especially in high-rise PBSA or BTR schemes. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and requirements mentioned in the job description. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant, and make sure your passion for sustainability and innovation shines through!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Watkin Jones
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand your past projects, especially those related to high-rise PBSA or BTR schemes. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the impact of your decisions on project outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Sustainability Passion
Since sustainability is a key focus for the role, prepare examples of how you've integrated sustainable practices into your design processes. Highlight any initiatives you've led or contributed to that align with environmental responsibility and innovation.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are essential for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing technical details or stakeholder coordination. Use concise language and be prepared to answer questions about your approach to collaboration across teams.
✨Prepare Questions That Matter
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Prepare thoughtful queries about the company's future projects, their approach to value engineering, or how they measure success in sustainability initiatives. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the company.
