Design Manager in London

We are looking for a Design Manager to lead the design processes on projects, ensuring the smooth delivery of high‑quality capital projects that uphold the AELTC’s visions and values, align with the Wimbledon Master Plan, and meet the evolving stakeholder and regulatory requirements.

What You Will Be Doing

The role supports the design management functions within the team and through design resources, the coordinated briefing, conceptual design, procurement and technical delivery of projects. The role works closely with the team within the Estate Department. The design management role encompasses supporting the AELTC to define and articulate the Client’s Requirements. Advising on procurement of and overseeing internal and external design consultant teams – controlling the development of the design concept. Assurance of compliance with the Client’s Requirements including technical and design quality standards – managing the receipt, review and acceptance of technical information. Further scope covers advising on legislative, statutory, or best practice in an architectural design and technical capacity.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide a first‑class all year‑round service with world‑class support for The Championships, managing projects as directed by the Senior Project Manager to meet all the requirements of the AELTC.
• Nurture strong, professional stakeholder relationships, partnering to offer best practice advice and solutions.
• Work in collaboration with colleagues in the Estate Department and stakeholders of the AELTC on the development of the Estate.
• Advise on procurement of consultant design teams.
• Manage design teams and the design process.
• Manage fee negotiations, scope of service and contractual processes/contracts with consultants.
• Manage and advise on planning applications or other statutory approvals such as Building Control.
• Assure that both AELTC and Principal Designers demonstrably meet their requirements under CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act 2022.
• Review and monitor technical and design information for compliance with AELTC requirements.
• Work with colleagues in Estates Management and Energy and Environment to maximise the efficiency of design assurance workflows, enabling the client to meet programme goals.
• Monitor design costs and design cost change control with the surveying team and Project Manager.
• Work closely with AELTC stakeholders to articulate, define and agree the Client’s Requirements for projects.
• Assure that these are correctly interpreted by design teams and support the development and acceptance of Initial and Final Project Briefs.
• Undertake feasibility studies and concepts for building redevelopment around the Estate and present them to the Estate Committee.
• Undertake preliminary studies or advise on architectural design if required.
• Help with the delivery of brand and specification guidelines and budgets within the context of the Master Plan and individual projects.
• Present projects and information for approvals using the Gateway Process of the AELTC.
• Prepare reports and deliver presentations to update internal stakeholders.
• Work to governance processes in collaboration with Project Managers, etc.
• Ensure a positive and consistent experience for all stakeholders through effective communication and relationship management.
• Interact with other departments and their projects, advising as necessary in a professional capacity, taking briefs, etc.
• Ensure that as‑built records, compliance certificates and building control approvals are properly recorded and design is updated accordingly for handover.
• Take ownership of statutory design compliance, including Health and Safety and Fire regulations, CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act 2022, ensuring that consultant teams have appropriate measures in place to demonstrate compliance.
• People management responsibility of colleagues as required.
• Contribute to the development of the Design Management discipline within AELTC.

What Part Your Role Will Play in the Championships

Depending on the stage of the project, your role might require you to be present during the Championships for briefing, observations, stakeholder engagement with users, movement strategy studies or any such activity to help form the client’s requirements or validate the brief. Facilitate handover of completed or partially completed projects up to and during the Championships build process, ensuring minimal impact of new operations or requirements during this period of the year. In some instances, you could be asked to be available with knowledge of a recently handed over project to support the stakeholders in its use following handover.

What We Offer

At Wimbledon, we maintain a work environment shaped by heritage and commitment to excellence. We support wellbeing, personal growth and life beyond work, and provide unique Wimbledon experiences.

• Financial Wellbeing

• Annual leave starts at 23 days plus bank holidays and rises with service.
• Two additional paid closure days in December.
• Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 10.5%.
• Group Income Protection & Life Assurance.
• Annual bonuses.
• Employee loans.
• Enhanced family leave, hybrid and flexible working options.

• Private medical insurance and annual medical assessments.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On‑site gym and fitness facilities.
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Professional & Personal Development, including colleague development calendar.
• Accredited learning and professional development opportunities.

• Free daily lunch.
• Complimentary Championships tickets.
• Retail discounts, complimentary museum and tour tickets for friends and family.
• Matched charitable giving.
• Free Community Sports Centre membership.
• A programme of social and sporting activities.

About You

Essential

• Qualified to degree level in architecture or a similar related discipline.
• Experience in managing design resources.
• Experience on high‑profile projects.
• Experience of managing multi‑disciplinary design teams, either – as a client or client’s representative, as consultant design or project manager, or – for a design and build contractor.
• Experience of defining and managing design assurance workflows and approvals.
• Experience managing and controlling budget and of change control processes.
• Experience with document collaboration tools.
• Experience on JCT Design and Build form of contract or similar.
• In‑depth knowledge of Building Regulations, CDM 2015, BSA 2022, planning approval process and sustainability frameworks such as BREEAM.
• Experience of practical completion and handover of projects into operation.
• Able to provide technical design guidance and details if required.
• Understanding and track record of delivering successful planning applications in a sensitive or complex planning legislative environment.
• Strong IT skills: including AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Revit, MS Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint and document management systems (ViewPoint or similar).
• Project programming knowledge including use of software tools.
• Excellent planning, organisational and delivery skills and comfortable with periods of pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work successfully across a broad spectrum of stakeholders including consultants, contractors, the public and staff.
• Exceptional communication skills, with proven ability to present and communicate key points effectively to both a technical and non‑technical audience at all levels of the organisation.
• Leadership skills to manage contractors, sub‑contractors and consultants to meet tight deadlines.

Desirable

• BIM experience advantageous.
• Experience of Metropolitan Open Land or similar historic and specialist planning restrictions.
• Experience at a management level in architectural or multi‑disciplinary design practice.
• Interest in and awareness of current trends and emerging best practice in architectural design practice.

About Us

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (Championships) Limited (AELTC) organises and stages The Championships, Wimbledon, widely regarded as the world’s premier tennis tournament. Our business has grown in recent years and we expect this to continue with plans to further improve facilities and invest in our people. The Estate Department delivers day‑to‑day operational management of all estate infrastructure, as well as the refurbishment and new property developments prioritising user experience at every stage of project delivery.