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For Companies At a Glance
- 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 an experienced design professional ready to take ownership of complex, high-profile projects? We\’re looking for a Senior Design Manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment, balancing creativity, technical precision, and commercial awareness to deliver outstanding results. In this key role, you\’ll manage the design and development process across a diverse portfolio, ensuring every project meets customer expectations, business objectives, and sustainability goals. You\’ll be the bridge between innovation and execution—bringing ideas to life while maintaining the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. This role is based at our Chester office, with flexibility to work from home and includes travel to project sites as required. What You\’ll Be Doing You\’ll be responsible for reviewing consultant appointments and ensuring compliance with agreed scopes of service. You\’ll coordinate design deliverables across disciplines, manage proposals within BIM and commercial constraints, and advise on buildability and technical feasibility. Your role will involve tracking progress, managing submissions to clients and statutory bodies, and identifying opportunities for value engineering and offsite/prefabrication. You\’ll also support sustainability initiatives, contribute to procurement planning, and help capture and share best practices across the business. Who we\’re looking for We\’re looking for someone with proven experience in a design or technical management role, who brings strong communication and stakeholder coordination skills. You\’ll have a deep understanding of design processes, construction methods, and commercial drivers, along with a passion for sustainability and innovation. Experience of high-rise PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation) or BTR (Build to Rent) schemes is essential. The ability to work collaboratively across teams and disciplines is also key, as is a proactive and solution-focused mindset. Why Choose Watkin Jones Group? 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, and more. Benefits:
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.
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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.
