Senior Design Manager

Senior Design Manager

Oldham Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Willmott Dixon Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead design teams on exciting projects, ensuring high-quality outputs and collaboration.
  • Company: Join Willmott Dixon, a top-tier contractor with a strong reputation and inclusive culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, career progression, and a supportive environment for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on diverse projects while developing your skills in a leading company.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager with strong technical and leadership skills.
  • Other info: Be part of a company recognised for its commitment to sustainability and community enhancement.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Are you ready to lead the design process on some of the most exciting and innovative projects in the region? Willmott Dixon is seeking a Senior Design Manager, based out of our Oldham office, you\’ll enjoy a hybrid working model with time split between the office, home, and projects. What You\’ll Do: As a Design Manager, you\’ll take ownership of the design process, fostering collaboration across disciplines and driving project success. Leading the design on projects ranging from £10m to £100m across the following sectors: Education, Leisure, Transport, Blue Light, Commercial and Residential. You\’ll oversee, monitor, and report on design programmes, ensuring high-quality outputs that align with project goals and budgets. Key responsibilities include: Leading the design process to produce accurate information that meets agreed specifications and cost plans. Managing the appointment and performance of consultants in line with their deed and agreed scope of services. Developing a design programme with consultants to meet whole-life programme milestones. Delivering cost-effective, innovative technical solutions. Chairing design team meetings and driving action plans to completion. Ensuring designs meet all statutory and regulatory approvals, with comprehensive tracking and documentation.With a robust pipeline of projects and a transparent outlook, you\’ll have the confidence that you\’re joining a stable business with a fantastic culture. About You We\’re looking for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and has a passion for innovative construction solutions. Key skills and attributes include: Strong leadership and communication skills. Attention to detail and the ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary teams. Experience in developing and managing design programmes. Knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements relevant to construction design. The ability to produce cost-effective and creative technical solutions. Preconstruction experience highly desirableIn Return We reward our people generously with a competitive package that gives you flexible benefits to fit your lifestyle and priorities. This includes but is not limited to an enhanced pension scheme, private medical, life assurance, incentive bonus and access to a market-leading sustainable car scheme. Additional Information At Willmott Dixon we provide an inclusive and flexible working environment for people to thrive in and we are happy to support agile working wherever possible. We are a proud member of the Disability Confident Scheme. About Us With over 170 years of history, Willmott Dixon is a privately owned business with a purpose beyond profit – delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment for future generations. In 2025, we were recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 Big Companies to Work For, ranked in the Top Five of Europe\’s 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times, and became the first major contractor and developer to win a King\’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development

Senior Design Manager employer: Willmott Dixon Group

Willmott Dixon is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment where employees can thrive and develop their careers. With a strong focus on sustainability and community enhancement, the company offers a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance, alongside structured development pathways for career progression. Recognised as one of the UK's top workplaces, Willmott Dixon provides a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful projects while being part of a team that values innovation and collaboration.
Willmott Dixon Group

Contact Detail:

Willmott Dixon Group 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 industry, attend design and construction events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for a Senior Design Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, highlight your experience with larger scale projects and your technical design skills. Make sure they see how you can lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams effectively.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those interviews! Research Willmott Dixon’s recent projects and their values. Be ready to discuss how your background aligns with their mission of delivering brilliant buildings and enhancing communities. It’ll show you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined application process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining us at Willmott Dixon. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Manager

Design Management
Technical Design Skills
Project Coordination
Team Leadership
Multi-disciplinary Team Collaboration
Stakeholder Influence
Deadline Management
Value Engineering
Buildability Review
Communication Skills
MS Office Suite Proficiency
Drawing Mark-up Tools
Professional Qualifications (e.g. CIOB, RIBA)
Adaptability in Diverse Sectors

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Design Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing design teams and delivering projects, especially in sectors like Education and Residential. We want to see how your skills align with what we do at Willmott Dixon!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about joining Willmott Dixon and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that set you apart.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: As a Senior Design Manager, your technical skills are crucial. Be sure to include specific examples of projects where you've demonstrated your design capabilities and leadership. We love seeing how you've tackled challenges and delivered high-quality outputs!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our fantastic team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Willmott Dixon Group

✨Know Your Projects Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into Willmott Dixon's recent projects, especially those in education, health, and residential sectors. Being able to discuss specific projects and how your experience aligns with their work will show that you're genuinely interested and well-prepared.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Senior Design Manager, you'll be leading teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed design teams in the past, focusing on collaboration and achieving high-quality outputs. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.

✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge

Make sure you're up-to-date with the latest design technologies and methodologies relevant to the construction industry. Be ready to discuss your technical design skills and how you've applied them in previous roles, especially in ensuring buildability and value engineering.

✨Prepare Questions for Them

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about their design processes, team dynamics, and future projects. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values and career goals.

Senior Design Manager
Willmott Dixon Group
Location: Oldham

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