At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative design projects in healthcare and other sectors, ensuring high-quality outputs.
- Company: Join Willmott Dixon, a top-rated company with a purpose beyond profit.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, competitive salary, enhanced pension, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with agile working options and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on exciting projects while fostering collaboration and innovation.
- Qualifications: Leadership experience in design, attention to detail, and knowledge of construction regulations.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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 South West region, with experience working and leading on major healthcare schemes. You’ll enjoy a hybrid working model with time split between the office, home, and projects. Ideally, you’ll be based in between Plymouth and Truro.
As a Senior 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 £250m across the following sectors: Healthcare, Education, Leisure, Transport, Blue Light, Defence, Commercial and Residential.
Responsibilities
- You’ll oversee, monitor, and report on design programmes, ensuring high-quality outputs that align with project goals and budgets.
- 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 and growing business with a fantastic culture.
Essential and Desirable Criteria
- We’re looking for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and has a passion for innovative construction solutions.
- Leadership experience in a previous design role.
- 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 and delivery design management experience.
- Worked on healthcare schemes in a design management role within a main contractor setting is highly desirable.
Why Willmott Dixon?
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, generous annual leave entitlement, private medical for you and a partner, 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.
Locations
Senior Design Manager in Devon, Plymouth employer: Willmott Dixon
Willmott Dixon is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. As a Senior Design Manager in the South West region, you will benefit from a hybrid working model, competitive remuneration, and a range of flexible benefits tailored to your lifestyle. Join a company recognised for its commitment to sustainability and community enhancement, where your contributions will lead to innovative projects that make a real difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Design Manager in Devon, Plymouth
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Willmott Dixon who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Manager in Devon, Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Willmott Dixon!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Willmott Dixon. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Willmott Dixon
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Willmott Dixon.
